Minister Gwarube responds to Operation Dudula's claims on foreign nationals in schools
Operation Dudula criticises Minister Gwarube over education priorities.
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Vigilante group Operation Dudula has criticized the Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, accusing her of prioritising illegal foreign nationals over South African children in schools.
The group claimed that Gwarube is also protecting illegal foreigners.
"We are only calling for the South African child to be put first in South African schools; they are calling the police, who are employed by the people to use state resources to fight for illegal foreigners, while your children are sitting at home watching illegal foreign children going to school."
Responding to the accusations, Gwarube acknowledged public frustration but emphasised that schools should remain safe learning environments.
"I'm acutely aware of how frustrated South Africans are with their government in dealing with the provision of basic services, jobs, and social welfare.
"I'm also mindful of the conversation and action that must be taken in dealing with illegal immigration. But I will never condone or accept the victimisation of children or the disruption of schools and teaching/ learning time."
Gwarube warned that protests targeting schools could face legal consequences. "Let's fight this battle away from schools. Or people must face the consequences of the law. Our Constitution is clear. So is case law. I'm afraid this is the hill."
Section 29 of Chapter 2 of the Constitution provides the following details on education: "Everyone has the right to a basic education, including adult basic education, and to further education that the state must make progressively available and accessible through reasonable measures."
Founded in 2021 with a strong anti-immigration agenda, the group has repeatedly targeted both legal and illegal migrants, claiming that foreign nationals are taking jobs, housing, and access to public services from South Africans.
In 2025, it intensified its activities, visiting health facilities to prevent undocumented foreigners from using public health services, insisting that they go to private hospitals.
National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola broke his silence on the organisation in August.
"We don't have a unit specifically to deal with them. We have Public Order Policing (POP) countrywide, and their job is to deal with crowd management. So, wherever there are problems, they do go out and assist. They cannot wait at a clinic just in case something happens; they have a lot of other work to do," he said.
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