Nigerian residents in South Africa are urgently calling for diplomatic action amid rising xenophobic hostility from the group known as Operation Dudula, which has reportedly denied foreigners access to public hospitals and other essential services.
Reports from affected Nigerian communities detail a distressing surge in harassment orchestrated by this grassroots campaign, which claims to combat illegal immigration and illicit activities but has escalated to blocking clinics and confronting immigrants. Leaders from Nigerian organizations in South Africa have expressed deep concern, emphasizing that the situation has reached a crisis point.
Frank Onyekwelu, President of the Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa, described these troubling incidents as yet another expression of xenophobic violence targeting non-South Africans. He recounted different accounts of women forced to give birth on ‘bare hospital floors’ without medical attention and patients being discharged prematurely due to denial of care. Onyekwelu reported that Nigerian medical professionals have stepped forward to assist those affected while the government is urged to act swiftly.
Similarly, Smart Nwobi, head of the Nigerian Union in South Africa, condemned the relentless intimidation by Operation Dudula members. He cited a recent example of a nursing mother barred from a hospital immunization appointment, calling for the urgent need for security intervention to protect public health facilities from vigilantism.
Although this coalition purports to protect native South African interests, critics point out that some leading figures within it hold dual citizenship. Nwobi stressed that naturalized citizens must not be discriminated against based on language or origin and called the group’s actions criminal and unconstitutional.
Another Nigerian living in South Africa, speaking anonymously, labelled the movement as a cover for criminal activities. Political leaders in South Africa, including Julius Malema of the Economic Freedom Fighters, have condemned the group’s violent tactics and called for investigations. Many affected Nigerians report hostile treatment even at immigration checkpoints, with some experiences described as blatantly racist.
Ex-diplomats have weighed in, condemning the campaign as illegal and harmful to African unity. Rasheed Akinkuolie, a former Nigerian Consul to Cameroon, emphasized that harassment of Black foreigners is a vestige of apartheid mentalities and urged Nigerian authorities to demand urgent diplomatic engagement with South Africa. Likewise, Ogbole Amedu-Ode, retired Ambassador to Mexico, warned the expulsions from public facilities risk causing diplomatic rifts and stressed Pretoria’s responsibility to protect all residents.
The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that African ambassadors in South Africa are actively negotiating with government officials to find a sustainable resolution to the crisis.
Calls for diplomatic intervention grow louder, as Nigerians in South Africa face challenges from Operation Dudula’s aggressive tactics. The cooperation between Nigerian and South African officials remains critical to ensuring safety, protecting human rights, and preserving regional harmony.
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