Former President Thabo Mbeki says it hurts him when he sees Operation Dudula blaming foreign nationals for South Africa’s problems, adding that the nation’s challenges cannot be blamed on migrants.

“When I see things like Operation Dudula, it hurts. We can’t position ourselves as though we’re enemies of other Africans,” he said.

Mbeki was speaking in Johannesburg on Saturday at a Thanksgiving event marking the Thabo Mbeki Foundation’s 15th anniversary.

“It’s not right. There are problems – problems we have got to solve in this country – and we can’t say those problems are caused by people who have migrated to South Africa. We have caused problems … But I’m saying that’s where we come from,” he said.

His remarks follow growing concerns over Operation Dudula’s actions. 

The group is known for stationing its members at various public clinics and hospitals, especially in Gauteng, to check the legal status of foreign nationals using South African health care facilities.

Operation Dudula, now registered as a political party, has recently visited public schools in Gauteng, warning principals not to prioritise undocumented foreign nationals for the 2026 academic year.

Similarly, the March and March Movement in KwaZulu-Natal has undertaken comparable actions. 

While some South Africans have supported the efforts of both groups, others have criticised their approach as inhumane.

Mbeki said that as South Africans look across the continent, there is much to be concerned about.

“There’s a lot to worry about. The stream of people who come to the foundation every day to discuss problems at home, on the continent, and beyond – asking what we can do,” he said.

He added that three weeks ago, the foundation held a meeting on peace and security in Africa.

“One of the things that happened – and I give this as an example – was that there were a lot of Congolese in attendance, because the situation in the DRC was on the agenda,” he said.

“We met them, and they said that when people outside the Congo look at their country, they see conflict in the east, which is true. But they said there are problems elsewhere too, and that to address them, they need a national dialogue among Congolese to come together and decide what to do.

“They said, ‘now, President Mbeki, do something about that.’ They were not requesting; they were insisting. We have since acted as they suggested. I can give many such examples of what the foundation is trying to do,” Mbeki added.

He said the state of affairs across the continent remains deeply concerning.

“Look at Sudan, you see terrible things happening both north and south, with no solution in sight. People come to the foundation and say, ‘Do something.’ I think it’s our responsibility; we can’t run away from that.”

Mbeki emphasised that South Africa is not alone in facing serious challenges.

“The continent has got these huge problems. South Africa has got these huge problems. They need answers,” he said.

“One of the things that has been very moving and encouraging about the foundation, relative to the rest of the continent, is what people have said about it.”

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

IOL Politics

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