5 hours ago
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The Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg has issued a landmark interdict preventing Operation Dudula from engaging in actions that target foreign nationals, including interfering with their access to healthcare and intimidating, harassing, or assaulting individuals identified as non-citizens.
The ruling follows a case brought by Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia (KAAX) and other civil society organisations, who argued that Operation Dudula was conducting a “systematic campaign of unlawful xenophobic action” while the State failed to uphold its responsibilities.
Judge Leicester Adams emphasised in his judgment on Tuesday that being a non-citizen or undocumented does not strip individuals of their basic human rights. The court noted that Operation Dudula’s repeated conduct against migrants violated their rights to dignity, freedom, and security.
“The fact that an individual is a non-citizen or undocumented does not mean that their basic human rights can be violated without consequences,” Judge Adams said.
The High Court found that the applicants had established a reasonable apprehension of further harm if the interdict was not granted. As a result, the court issued interdictory relief, barring Operation Dudula from taking such actions and ordering that the group, along with government respondents, pay legal costs.
The ruling is seen as a significant step in upholding the rights of foreign nationals in South Africa and sending a strong message against xenophobic behaviour.
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