President Cyril Ramaphosa claimed the group was a “vigilante-like force” which the ANC cannot support.
Addressing media in Mpumalanga over the weekend, Ramaphosa said he was concerned about the rise of the group and its alleged illegal actions.
“These things often get out of hand. They always mutate into wanton violence against other people and we’ve always said let’s act within the parameters of the law.
“We cannot support a vigilante-type of move against a group of people, and particularly targeting them as foreign nationals because what we are doing then is just to divide our people on the African continent,” said Ramaphosa.
However, Fees Must Fall activist Bonginkosi Khanyile said instead of condemning Operation Dudula, the government needs to engage and address the movement and those who share its views.
“The people who are in authority must make decisions and, equally, South Africans must have a voice on the matter. Politicians must take a clear stance on issues raised by Operation Dudula because they are genuine. They [Operation Dudula members] are not hooligans like they [politicians] want us to believe,” said Khanyile.
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'If you listen when they speak, they all imitate me': Malema takes aim at Operation Dudula
Image: ALON SKUY/THE TIMES
EFF leader Julius Malema has criticised Operation Dudula’s alleged lack of innovation, claiming the group is imitating him and he will not engage with it.
Speaking on SABC News this week, Malema reiterated his stance on the group and said he was unfazed by some of the allegations against him.
Operation Dudula accused Malema of supporting illegal foreign nationals in SA.
“Those are small kids with small brains, the size of a peanut. I fight real battles of the continent. I have no time for amateurs who are trying their luck by using my name,” said Malema.
He said the group are “arrivalists” and have a long way to go.
“They are new in what they are doing. If you listen when they speak, they all imitate me. So why should I be worried about imitators? I have no time for kids. There is no principle to engage them. I’m dealing here with principle,” said Malema.
‘I don’t have time for small boys’: Malema denies being behind the arrest of Nhlanhla ‘Lux’ Dlamini
President Cyril Ramaphosa claimed the group was a “vigilante-like force” which the ANC cannot support.
Addressing media in Mpumalanga over the weekend, Ramaphosa said he was concerned about the rise of the group and its alleged illegal actions.
“These things often get out of hand. They always mutate into wanton violence against other people and we’ve always said let’s act within the parameters of the law.
“We cannot support a vigilante-type of move against a group of people, and particularly targeting them as foreign nationals because what we are doing then is just to divide our people on the African continent,” said Ramaphosa.
However, Fees Must Fall activist Bonginkosi Khanyile said instead of condemning Operation Dudula, the government needs to engage and address the movement and those who share its views.
“The people who are in authority must make decisions and, equally, South Africans must have a voice on the matter. Politicians must take a clear stance on issues raised by Operation Dudula because they are genuine. They [Operation Dudula members] are not hooligans like they [politicians] want us to believe,” said Khanyile.
Support independent journalism by subscribing to the Sunday Times. Just R20 for the first month.
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