Minister gives warning as Operation Dudula targets schools

 Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube has warned Operation Dudula against disrupting schools

image: Internet

by Kelebogile Matlou

Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube has warned Operation Dudula members that they will face the full force of the law if they seek to interrupt schools in South Africa. The warning comes as the anti-migrant organization moved its focus from public healthcare facilities to schools, visiting various institutions in Soweto on Monday and distributing memorandums demanding that undocumented foreign students not be enrolled for the 2026 academic year. 

Minister Gwarube strongly condemned Operation Dudula’s actions, stating that education is a fundamental right for all children, regardless of immigration status. She said that no entity has the ability to meddle with schools or disrupt learning.

image: Internet

In response, the Minister reached the Acting Minister of Police and requested combined monitoring by the Department of Basic Education, provincial education agencies, and the police to ensure uninterrupted study. The Gauteng Education Department echoed this position, stating that all children have the right to attend school. Human rights organisations condemned Dudula’s conduct, highlighting the need of protecting children’s access to school.