Operation Dudula to appeal court ruling barring it from blocking foreign nationals from accessing healthcare

Controversial lobby group Operation Dudula says it will appeal a recent court ruling that prevents it from blocking foreign nationals from accessing public healthcare facilities. 

Earlier this week, the Gauteng High Court ruled that the organisation's practice of demanding identity documents from individuals suspected of being immigrants was unlawful. 

ALSO READ: Court bars Operation Dudula making statements that constitute hate speech on grounds of nationality or ethnicity

The group argues that public clinics and hospitals are overwhelmed by the influx of undocumented foreign nationals. 

Speaking at a media briefing in Johannesburg on Thursday, Operation Dudula president, Zandile Dabula, urged members to comply with the ruling, for now. 

"The judgment sets a dangerous precedent that may weaken law enforcement, erode state capacity to manage illegal immigration and protect the interests of South African citizens. We have instructed our legal team to launch an appeal on this judgment to protect the interests of South African citizens and the rule of law."

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