Police say Dudula protesters tried to block G20 motorcades; SAPS officer injured in clashes
Police have arrested members of Operation Dudula and opened cases of public violence, assaulting a police officer, and contravening a court order against the movement
Image: Screengrab
A member of the South African Police Service (SAPS) was injured on Saturday during clashes with members of the anti-immigrant activist group Operation Dudula near the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg, where President Cyril Ramaphosa and world leaders are attending the G20 Leaders’ Summit.
IOL reported earlier that protesters, including members of the Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party and Operation Dudula, had gathered near the heavily fortified summit venue, demanding to speak to President Ramaphosa and international delegates.
SAPS national spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed that two Operation Dudula members were arrested following the confrontation.
“We have arrested two individuals, both Dudula members, and we have started with investigations,” Mathe told journalists.
“We have long maintained that we do not have an issue when people protest over their grievances, but they must do so within the confines of the law. We will not allow any lawlessness, barricading, or blocking of roads. We believe their actions were meant to block the motorcades of heads of state and dignitaries trying to access the Nasrec venue.”
Mathe said officers had instructed the group to move back to their designated picket area, but the activists refused.
Members of Operation Dudula outside G20 Summit.
Image: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers
“They resisted. They started assaulting police officers and pushing back against law enforcement. They also began spraying tear gas. As a result, one police officer has been taken to hospital for medical attention,” she said.
According to SAPS, a case has been opened against Operation Dudula. The group faces charges of public violence, assaulting a police officer, and contravening a court order.
“You will recall they were handed a court order not to intimidate and harass foreign nationals. By trying to block Nasrec and Baragwanath roads, we see that as an attempt to intimidate and harass foreign nationals,” Mathe said.
Teargas and pepper spray used to disperse protesters
Officers deployed teargas and pepper spray to disperse the protesters, while water cannons were also on standby at the scene.
Videos circulating on social media showed Operation Dudula leader Zandile Dabula sitting in a vehicle, rubbing her eyes after being caught in a cloud of chemical agents.
Speaking to reporters later, Dabula accused police of using excessive force against South Africans while failing to act firmly against criminals.
“The sad thing is that the force they are showing to us as South Africans, they can’t show it to criminals. That is why we are having the Madlanga Commission today,” Dabula said. “When they are supposed to do the right thing to the criminals, they don’t do it. Some of us are arrested for fighting crime — for fighting illegality that is happening in the country.”
Dabula alleged that the police officers were corrupt and working against citizens.
“We took people who are illegal in the country to the police station, and some of our members were arrested. What’s the job of the police if they can’t protect citizens? They are working against us — they are corrupt. Because we don’t have R20 to give a bribe, that is how they behave. We know their agenda, and it’s not going to work,” she said.
Operation Dudula leader Zandile Dabula reacts in pain after police deployed teargas and pepper spray to disperse protesters near the Nasrec Expo Centre, where world leaders are attending the G20 Summit.
Image: Screengrab/ X
Protesters restricted from G20 venue
A leader of the group wearing MK regalia told IOL that protesters had been restricted to an area nearly a kilometre from the summit venue.
“The whole point of picketing is to ensure that we send a strong message to the dignitaries attending the G20,” the leader said. “The situation is that we are placed almost a kilometre away from the Nasrec Expo Centre, whereas Section 17 of the Constitution allows us to protest — to picket at least 100 metres away.”
He said protesters were frustrated at being confined to an area far from the world leaders they wanted to address.
“Here we are placed in front of ordinary traffic, people going to Southgate Mall. It is not them we want to talk to. The people we want to talk to are President Ramaphosa and all the dignitaries attending the G20 Summit. What SAPS is doing is actually unfair, and they are depriving us of our constitutional rights.”
Some Operation Dudula activists said they were prepared to be arrested if necessary.
“If they want to shoot us, they must shoot us,” one activist said defiantly.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
IOL News