The Gauteng Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has opened a murder case against the movement known as Operation Dudula, alleging its members prevented a mother from accessing critical healthcare for her one-year-old son, who died the following day.
The incident is reported to have occurred in late August 2025 at the Alexandra Community Health Centre. The EFF’s provincial leadership formally lodged the case at the Alexandra police station, arguing that vigilante groups cannot be allowed to operate as a law unto themselves.
According to the EFF’s account, the mother was attempting to enter the clinic with her sick child when she was allegedly stopped by members of Operation Dudula. The group reportedly informed her that only individuals presenting a South African identity document would be permitted entry. Turned away, she was unable to secure medical assistance for her son.
“They say the mother was turned away with her sick child… after being told by Operation Dudula members that she could only enter the clinic if she had a South African ID,” a party representative stated.
The EFF contends that this act directly led to the child’s death. A spokesperson for the party condemned the blockade, stating, “Denying people, whether South African or foreign nationals, access to health care is not only illegal but also a grave public health danger.”
The party’s position is that the incident transcends negligence. “If someone gets sick and someone dies and they could have been assisted there and then, it’s not only negligence. They knew exactly what they were doing and they eliminated a life of a one-year-old. So we have opened a case of murder,” the EFF spokesperson said. They added that it is now up to the state to conduct a full investigation.
The party also indicated that the deceased child’s mother remains severely traumatized and is living in fear. They are demanding that law enforcement act urgently to arrest those responsible and to ensure the protection of all patients and staff at public health facilities.
In response, Operation Dudula has issued a strong rebuttal. The movement has labelled the allegations of its involvement in the child’s death as “reckless and misleading.” It firmly denies any responsibility, particularly in the absence of what it calls credible evidence or proof directly linking its members to the tragic incident.
The case has ignited a fierce debate over the activities of civilian groups at public facilities and the critical need to ensure unimpeded access to healthcare for all.
