Pretoria – National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola has clarified that the South African Police Service (SAPS) does not have a dedicated unit to monitor Operation Dudula or similar groups targeting undocumented foreign nationals at hospitals and clinics.
Masemola addressed the issue during a media briefing in Olifantsfontein, Pretoria, on Thursday, where he was overseeing the destruction of drugs worth more than R400 million. He explained that while the actions of groups barring foreign patients from treatment are unlawful, SAPS will only intervene through its Public Order Policing (POP) units if public disruptions arise.
He said the POP unit’s mandate is to handle crowd management, including protests, gatherings, and major events. “They cannot wait at a clinic just in case something happens… but as and when we have an indication there may be a problem, we will respond to those health institutions,” Masemola noted.
His remarks follow reports of Operation Dudula and the March and March Movement preventing undocumented migrants from seeking medical attention, mainly in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. The groups argue that the health system is overburdened and should serve South Africans first.
The campaigns have been condemned by government officials and human rights bodies, though some community members continue to support the movements.
Earlier this month, three women linked to Operation Dudula were arrested after storming the maternity ward at Lilian Ngoyi Clinic in Soweto. They allegedly demanded identity documents from patients, disrupting services and leaving staff and mothers distressed. The suspects were later charged with contravening the National Health Act, public violence, and other offences before being released on warning by the Orlando Magistrates’ Court.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo, police intervened after clinic staff and patients locked the women in one of the wards and called for assistance.
Legal experts say the release on warning allows the state time to compile evidence before the prosecution decides on further action.
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