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South Africa’s anti-immigration group Operation Dudula is back in the spotlight after launching a campaign to exclude migrant children from public schools, reigniting fears of rising xenophobia. Founded in 2021, the movement blames foreigners for the nation’s high crime and unemployment, often using vigilante tactics like blocking hospital access and conducting illegal ID checks. Analysts trace this xenophobia back to apartheid-era inequalities, which created a society where marginalized South Africans compete with migrants for scarce resources. However, research indicates the group’s narrative relies on exaggeration, as migrants constitute only 6.5% of the population and do not commit a disproportionate amount of crime. Critics argue that Operation Dudula’s actions dangerously distract from the government’s own failures in service delivery and corruption, exploiting public frustration for political gain.
DW