Operation Dudula says it's 'not tapering down' operations against 'undocumented' foreign nationals at health facilities in Gauteng

Operation Dudula has stated that it has no plans to taper down its "unlawful" exercise of preventing what they say are undocumented foreign nationals from accessing public healthcare facilities.

This is despite a passionate plea to the organisation by the Gauteng Health MEC, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, following the death of a one-year-old child.

The child died after his Malawian mother, Grace Banda, was allegedly prevented by Operation Dudula members from accessing the Alexandra Clinic in Johannesburg last week.

"I just say to all those that are blocking access to the institutions, can they think about their children that are going to die like this one that the journalist is asking me about now, which I am unable even to answer how would I feel if it was my grandchild," Nkomo-Ralehoko pleaded.

However, speaking in Soweto, Operation Dudula’s leader, Zandile Dabula, said the organisation will not stop.

"We are not tapering down. We are not backing down. We are continuing with our operations. The allegations and all that, they will be discussed in court, but we will continue with our operations," Dabula said.

Dabula has welcomed police investigations into the death of the one-year-old child and said the law must run its course.