The controversial Operation Dudula campaign descended into violent chaos once again in Alexandra on Tuesday as a group of gun-wielding men opened fire on its members during their “clean-up” operation.
Dudula members, who have been removing street vendors from their business spots since the weekend, on Tuesday marched to Watt Avenue in the township's CBD where some flipped over and vandalised more stands belonging to vendors. In the midst of that chaos, about four men took out their guns and fired in the air to disperse Dudula members.
This incident comes as the situation remained tense in the township after one of the campaign leaders, Dumisani Nkosi, was shot on Monday following a clash with foreign nationals who were evicted from operating on street pavements.
The movement says it aims to rid Johannesburg of businesses run by illegal foreign nationals.
A visibly pained Nkosi, who had stitches on his face, said he was grazed by the bullet between his eyes as he and other residents tried to block vendors from returning to the pavements.
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“I lost energy as we were all running for cover and fell and some walked all over me. The doctors say my eye will be alright,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the campaign, Nani Nobesule, said the group retreat despite accusations that it was turning into xenophobic violence.
“We are not going to stop because the line of danger is everywhere. The more we don’t address the issue of undocumented people, the more the country will be damaged,” Nobusule said.
Several political parties, including ActionSA and EFF, have been driving campaigns relating to the issue, with the ActionSA waging its campaign against illegal immigrants while the EFF directed its fight against companies that overwhelmingly hired foreign nationals to the disadvantage of locals.
One of the men who brandished guns told the marching crowd that he and others would not be shaken by the campaign.
“I will shoot these things. No-one will take my gun, not even the police here,” he said as officers looked on.
One of the foreign nationals whose barbershop tent was dismantled by the marchers, lamented that the community members linked to the campaign were pretentious as they housed illegal immigrants and collected monthly rent from them.
“Are there no foreigners in your yards in the township? We are renting in their houses and they are not evicting us but they are coming to chase us away from work. How are we going to pay them rent now,” he asked.
The police, who had been present, refused to respond when asked why they did not take action.
Nkosi accused political leaders of leaving townships to poverty and neglect.
“Politicians don’t want to come here and deal with problems. Poverty and real socioeconomic challenges are in townships like Alex but even meetings of this area are held in Marlboro where we don’t stay and can’t go,” Nkosi said.
Marlboro Gardens is a middle class suburb neighbouring Alexandra in the north end of the old township.
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