Nigerians in South Africa say they warmly welcome the recent Guateng High Court ruling that has interdicted “Operation Dudula’’, a notorious anti-migrant group, from performing unlawful actions, including blocking foreign nationals from accessing public health facilities, schools, intimidation, harassment and assault.
Nigerians, under the aegis of Nigeria Union South Africa (NUSA), expressed the satisfaction with the judgment that would now cripple such illegal actions in a statement by its President, Mr Smart Nwobi, a lawyer.
They noted that the decisive judgment was secured through the courageous efforts of Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia (KAAX) and other allied civil society groups, marking a significant victory for the rights and dignity of migrants in South Africa, especially the Nigerian community.
The Gauteng High Court had on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, in a landmark ruling prohibited the anti-migrant group from carrying out its nefarious actions against migrants by picketing hospitals and clinics in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provinces, checking identity cards and stopping anyone who is not South African from entering.
The judge declared that “only an immigration officer or a police officer has the power in terms of section 41 of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002, to demand that another private person produce her or his passport or other identity documents to demonstrate their right to be in South Africa and that no private person has the power to do so, unless expressly so authorised by law’’.
“The high court in Johannesburg has ordered the group to stop intimidating, harassing or interfering with access to these facilities, following a case brought by rights groups.
“South Africa is home to about 2.4 million migrants, just less than 4 percent of the population, according to official figures. Most come from neighbouring countries such as Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, which have a history of providing migrant labour to their wealthy neighbour.
The NUSA president said that the significance of the ruling to the migrant community is that the ruling has affirmed the constitutional protections afforded to all residents of South Africa regardless of their nationality, and underscores the principle that human dignity has no nationality.
“For the Nigerian community, which constitutes one of the largest and most vibrant migrant groups in South Africa, estimated at over 50,000 strong, this victory is a beacon of hope and a safeguard against Xenophobic violence and discrimination.
“This judgment is a monumental step forward in protecting the rights of Nigerians and all migrants in South Africa. It sends a clear message that vigilante groups like Operation Dudula should not take the law into their own hands to harm vulnerable communities.
“We commend KAAX and all other allied partners who stood firm in the fight against Xenophobia,’’ he said.
Nwobi said that the court’s interdiction of Operation Dudula reinforces South Africa’s commitment to equality, non-discrimination, and essential services such as healthcare and education.
“NUSA urges the government to uphold its duty to protect all residents and implement its National Action Plan to combat Racism, Xenophobia and all related intolerances.’’
He added that “NUSA affirms its commitment to fostering unity, resilience among all marginalised communities in South Africa, and recognises that the fight against Xenophobia requires cooperation across all sectors of society’’.
In a related development, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), has said that it hoped the Gauteng High Court’s judgment against Operation Dudula would put a stop to the “continual intimidation and harassment’’ of non-nationals and undocumented persons.
The commission also called on state authorities to restore law and order and ensure that constitutional rights were upheld.
