Operation Dudula slammed for blocking children from school
Education activists have condemned Operation Dudula’s plans to block undocumented children from schools, calling it unlawful and a threat to the most vulnerable.
The organisation's leader, Zandile Dabula this week announced that the group plans to stop children without legal status from entering public schools.
She says the campaign, which will be launched this December, will be carried out in the first week of 2026, with members stationed at schools across the country.
Dabula says those without documentation will be turned away, but that they will also scrutinize documentation that others bring in.
Equal Education’s Ayanda Sishi-Wigzell believes the group is misdirecting its grievances.
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"Norms and standards haven't been met at schools. But we believe that the problem is being misdirected and placed upon foreign nationals and even worse on children. And our constitution of our country, especially Section 29 (1) A and Section 9 of our Constitution, gives everybody an equal right to basic education, and it prohibits discrimination against any child.
"It will be against the law for public schools to not give access to children who are undocumented."
Education Activist, Hendrick Makaneta has demanded that government intervene.
He says the action is not only deeply unethical but contrary to the values of our Constitution.
" South Africa's legal framework allows every child, regardless of nationality or immigration status, to have the right to basic education. This has been affirmed by our courts and must be upheld without exception."
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