Nigerians living in South Africa have raised alarm over new xenophobic threats from an anti-migrant group called Operation Dudula.
Leaders of Nigerian communities are urging urgent diplomatic action after reports of attacks and harassment by the group, which has been accused of blocking foreigners from using public hospitals.
This development comes as harassment of foreigners continues in the country, sparking fears of another wave of xenophobic violence.
In a viral video seen by reporters, a leader of the group was recorded ordering foreigners out of a public hospital.
He said: “If you know you are not South African, stand up right now. Don’t try us because we are going to check everybody.”
Operation Dudula began as a grassroots campaign, claiming to fight illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and what it calls the unlawful takeover of jobs and services by undocumented foreigners.
Reports say the group has been blocking clinics, inspecting businesses, and confronting immigrants.
Nigerians cry out for helpCommunity leaders have described the situation as alarming and called for government intervention.
Frank Onyekwelu, President of the Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa, described the attacks as another form of xenophobia targeted at foreign nationals.
“We have cried out against this ill-treatment. It is a clear display of hate and injustice against foreigners. We are not happy with it,” he said.
Onyekwelu explained that Nigerians had already reached out to political groups and immigration bodies for help.
He also narrated disturbing cases of women giving birth outside hospitals without medical care and patients being discharged without treatment.
“Imagine a woman giving birth on a bare floor in front of a hospital without a midwife. Some patients are being forced out without care. In life-and-death situations, they could just die like chickens,” he lamented.
He said Nigerian doctors were stepping in to assist victims until the issue is resolved.
Smart Nwobi, President of the Nigerian Union in South Africa, also condemned the harassment of Nigerians and other foreigners.
He cited the case of a nursing mother who was stopped from taking her baby for immunization at a public hospital.
“This is alarming. We are appealing to the government to deploy security agents to protect public facilities so criminals will not take the law into their own hands,” he said.
Nwobi stressed that Operation Dudula is not an official government body but a group of locals accusing foreigners of taking opportunities.
He pointed out that some of the group’s leaders are not even South African by birth, with some holding dual citizenship.
Describing the group as “criminals,” Nwobi said their actions violate South Africa’s Constitution and must be stopped.
He added that the Nigerian Embassy had been informed, and the African Diaspora Forum was considering legal action.
Nigerians share painful experiencesAnother Nigerian resident described the group as criminals using community activism as cover.
“They are simply criminals. Even political groups like Julius Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters have demanded investigations into them,” he said.
A new Nigerian migrant, Ify Eze, said she was insulted by an immigration officer on arrival in South Africa.
“The hostility is overwhelming, especially from some members of the Zulu community. They make life extremely hard for us,” she said.
Diplomats reactFormer Nigerian diplomat, Rasheed Akinkuolie, condemned the harassment of Africans in South Africa, calling it illegal and a leftover of apartheid.
“Why are they not targeting whites, their real oppressors? Why only Black foreigners?” he asked.
He advised Nigerians to keep their documents valid but urged the Nigerian government to summon the South African ambassador for urgent talks.
Similarly, former Ambassador Ogbole Amedu-Ode warned that the attacks could damage relations between Nigeria and South Africa, and weaken African unity.
“The South African government has a duty to protect all residents in their country,” he said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that African Ambassadors in South Africa are already in talks with the government to find a lasting solution to the crisis.
