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| Members of Operation Dudula removing goods from a stall in White City, Soweto. Image: ANTONIO MUCHAVE |
Operation Dudula, a South African government-backed group, has been conducting raids on migrant-owned shops in Soweto, South Africa. The raids began on Monday following the shooting of a man, allegedly by a shop owner, on Saturday in White City. Residents affiliated with Operation Dudula have been identifying and removing non-South African owners of tuck shops in the area, offering to help them pack up and arrange transport for them against their will. Shop owners who approached the group refused to speak out of fear.
Operation Dudula leader Zandile Dabula has stated that communities need to feel safe and that they will close down all the shops around White City and talk to different stakeholders to help their people take over. During the raid, a police van and a Quantum, including a minibus with crime prevention wardens arrived, but they remained in their cars for about five minutes before leaving and didn't come back.
Anna Mnisi, the mother of Lusanda Ngxongo, who was shot on Saturday in a shop, said her son was still in the ICU at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital. She received a call in the afternoon that her son was shot and advised her to rush to the clinic. When she rushed to the clinic, she was told that his son was at a hospital. Police spokesperson Noxolo Kweza confirmed that there was a case of attempted murder docket and confirmed that there was a person shot and injured, and the person is in a stable condition in the hospital.
About 18 tuck shops had been raided by 4pm yesterday. The group is also investigating a case of attempted murder docket.
