‘Let the law decide’: Operation Dudula leader calls for legal resolution after baby's death linked to clinic blockade

Operation Dudula leader Zandile Dubula says she is leaving it to the law to decide, after the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) accused the group of playing a role in the death of a one-year-old baby.

The EFF claims members of the movement blocked the child’s Malawian mother from getting to a clinic, which they say led to the baby’s death. 

"Remember that the EFF case, they claim that they have opened a case against us as Operation Dudula. I haven’t received anything from law enforcers. I would not like us to talk about it because it's with the legals (law) now,” Dubula said.

Dubula says she won’t comment further now that the matter is under investigation.

"Let’s leave it at that. Let the investigations continue, and once everything is concluded, then only we can talk about the matter. But currently, it’s sitting with the legals, and let’s just respect that."

Dubula previously said that no members of the organisation were present at the clinic on the day of the incident.

When asked again whether Operation Dudula members were involved, she declined to provide further details.

"Remember, at that time, I responded because there was no case opened against me. But now that there is a case, let’s just respect that and let the law take its course. Investigations must be done, and we will see what the outcomes will be," she said.

Dubula was speaking while leading a mobilisation campaign in Soweto ahead of a planned schools initiative scheduled for January 2026.

The operation aims to block children of undocumented foreign nationals from accessing public education.

IOL News previously reported that Gauteng police are investigating a criminal complaint against Operation Dudula and its leader, Dabula following the death of a one-year-old child whose mother was allegedly prevented from accessing healthcare.

The EFF accused the movement of conducting a "barbaric" campaign of stopping allegedly illegal foreigners from accessing services at public healthcare facilities across the country.

The EFF said it also supports other citizens whose constitutional rights were violated when members of the movement allegedly prevented them from accessing healthcare services in Soweto.

Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo confirmed a case was registered with the Alexandra police station.

"The police have opened an inquiry docket. Once the investigation is complete, the docket will be taken to the National Prosecuting Authority for a decision," Masondo said.

Speaking outside the Alexandra police station over the weekend, EFF regional chairperson Nkululeko Dunga said the party has a clear position on immigration. 

"The EFF stance is that everyone must be documented and accounted for. The State must have the ability to track every person’s movement in the country. But this doesn’t mean we must allow lawlessness to raise its ugly head in the guise of some misguided patriotism.

“The EFF will not allow our public facilities to be hijacked and run through the logic of vigilante groups like Operation Dudula. A young lady, Grace Banda, was denied entrance to all clinics around Alexandra until her sick child died. 

"Pregnant women are forced to give birth outside clinic gates, and EFF cannot stand by and watch, for the sake of scoring cheap political points. Human lives are a much greater price for such political stunts," he said.

The party further accused the police of failing to prevent the movement and its members from carrying out their campaign against immigrants.

"Equally, we warn clinics and hospital managers who allow this to happen," the party said.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

IOL News