Police on-site during stand-off between Operation Dudula and Abahlali Basemjondolo in Braamfontein

JOHANNESBURG - There was a stand-off between Operation Dudula members and housing rights group, Abahlali Basemjondolo, in Braamfontein on Thursday.

This after Operation Dudula accused Chapter 9 institutions of prioritising the rights of illegal foreign nationals.

The organisation delivered a memorandum of demands to the Socio-Economic Rights Institute (SERI) on Thursday, with plans to also march to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC).

On the other side of the battle line was advocacy group, Abahlali Basemjondolo, which is defending the institutions which they said had protected their rights in the past.

Thursday's demonstration follows weeks of action by Operation Dudula at clinics to remove illegal foreign nationals from health facilities.

They filled the streets of Braamfontein with waving flags, singing derogatory songs calling for the removal of foreign nationals from the country.

An Operation Dudula member said that Abahlali Basemjondolo was making it difficult for them to deliver their memorandum.

“We don’t want to deliver a memorandum in front of these people, they are infringing on our rights. It looks like under pretext, you brought these people, so we don’t want to deliver the memorandum."

Police were trying to control the crowds by separating the clashing groups.