Thabo Mbeki Slams Operation Dudula: “Blaming Migrants Hurts Our Nation”

Former President Thabo Mbeki has issued a heartfelt rebuke to Operation Dudula, warning that scapegoating foreign nationals for South Africa’s social and economic challenges is not only unfair but deeply harmful.

Speaking at a Thanksgiving event in Johannesburg celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Thabo Mbeki Foundation, Mbeki said the rising anti-immigrant rhetoric strikes at the heart of African solidarity.

“When I see things like Operation Dudula, it hurts. We can’t position ourselves as though we’re enemies of other Africans,” Mbeki said.

“Our problems are our own”

Mbeki emphasised that South Africa’s challengesfrom unemployment to strained public servicescannot simply be blamed on migrants.

“There are problems we have got to solve in this country, and we can’t say those problems are caused by people who have migrated to South Africa. We have caused problems … But I’m saying that’s where we come from,” he explained.

His comments come amid growing scrutiny of Operation Dudula, which has attracted both fervent supporters and critics. The group, now a registered political party, has stationed members at public clinics and hospitals in Gauteng to check the legal status of foreign nationals using healthcare facilities.

Operation Dudula has also visited schools, warning principals not to prioritise undocumented foreign learners for the 2026 academic year. Similar actions have been reported by the March and March Movement in KwaZulu-Natal. While some South Africans back these initiatives as protecting local resources, many others see them as inhumane and divisive.

A continental perspective

Mbeki placed South Africa’s domestic concerns in a broader African context, stressing the importance of solidarity across borders.

“There’s a lot to worry about. Every day, people come to the foundation to discuss problems at home, on the continent, and beyondasking what we can do,” he said.

He shared examples from a recent foundation meeting on peace and security, highlighting input from Congolese participants.

“They said there are problems in the DRC, but solutions can only come from dialogue among their own people. They asked us to help facilitate that,” Mbeki explained.

He also pointed to Sudan, where ongoing conflict leaves millions in peril.

“The state of affairs across the continent remains deeply concerning. People come to the foundation and say, ‘Do something.’ I think it’s our responsibility; we can’t run away from that.”

Solidarity, not scapegoating

Mbeki reminded South Africans that migration is a shared African reality, and turning against fellow Africans undermines national and continental progress.

“South Africa is not alone in facing serious challenges. The continent has these huge problems, and South Africa has these huge problems. They need answers,” he said.

Social media has already begun amplifying Mbeki’s message. Many users praised the former president for challenging xenophobic narratives, with hashtags like #StopScapegoatingMigrants trending on local platforms.

One Gauteng resident wrote:

“Finally, someone with authority telling us that blaming foreigners won’t solve our problems. We need solutions, not hatred.”

The Thabo Mbeki Foundation continues to serve as a bridge between South Africa and the continent, tackling peace, security, and governance challenges while promoting dialogue over division. Mbeki’s remarks reinforce the idea that building solutions at home requires collaboration, not confrontation with Africa’s neighbours.

“One of the most moving aspects of the foundation is hearing what people from across the continent think and expect. It reminds us that we are part of a bigger African story,” Mbeki concluded.