Tensions flared in Johannesburg today after police clashed with members of Operation Dudula and the MK Party during a large-scale Dudula protest near the Nasrec Expo Centre.
Authorities confirmed several arrests after demonstrators attempted to move closer to the secured G20 conference zone, defying police orders.
The protest, officially organized to demand stronger action on immigration and service delivery, quickly spiraled into confrontation.
Hundreds of protesters gathered early Tuesday morning near Nasrec, south of Johannesburg, carrying South African flags and chanting slogans against illegal immigration.
Leaders from Operation Dudula, an anti-migrant movement, accused city officials of deliberately placing the approved protest site “too far” from the G20 summit venue to muffle their message.
As demonstrators tried to advance toward the restricted perimeter, police used stun grenades and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.
Several protesters were detained for breaching security lines and refusing to disperse after multiple warnings.
A police spokesperson said:
“We respect the right to peaceful protest, but we will not allow any group to enter high-security zones or endanger public order.”
The Dudula protest was meant to coincide with the conclusion of the G20 Summit, which brought world leaders and security delegations to Johannesburg earlier this week.
Officials had cordoned off key areas around Nasrec, anticipating potential disruptions.
Operation Dudula leader Zandile Mbele accused authorities of “silencing ordinary South Africans” by isolating the protest site away from media coverage and foreign delegates.
“We were given a field over a kilometer from where the decisions affecting our country are being discussed,” she said.
“How can our voices be heard from so far away? This is deliberate suppression.”
Mbele insisted that the Dudula protest remained peaceful until police “provoked the crowd.”
She called for the immediate release of arrested members and vowed that future demonstrations would continue “until the government listens to citizens instead of foreigners.”
The group has long argued that high unemployment and poor public services are made worse by undocumented migrants.
Critics say such rhetoric fuels xenophobia and diverts attention from deeper systemic problems.
Members of the MK Party, a growing political force associated with South Africa’s liberation legacy, joined the Dudula gathering, calling for “national accountability” on economic inequality and crime.
Their participation appeared to intensify tensions at the scene, with rival chants and political slogans adding to the confusion.
MK Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said their presence was not about supporting Operation Dudula’s anti-migrant stance but about “solidarity with working-class frustration.”
“Communities are angry because government services are collapsing. That anger is justified,” he said.
“But it must not be turned against vulnerable people—it should be directed at leadership failure.”
Police sources later confirmed that some of those arrested wore MK Party regalia, though the exact number of detainees remained unconfirmed by evening.
The Dudula protest follows weeks of smaller demonstrations across Gauteng province, where frustration over electricity cuts, municipal corruption, and immigration enforcement has been growing.
Analysts say the unrest also reflects deeper post-G20 tensions, as South Africa faces criticism over governance and law enforcement issues.
Political analyst Dr. Busisiwe Mkhize noted that alliances between populist movements and emerging parties like the MK Party are increasingly common.
“Both groups draw support from the same urban working-class base,” she explained.
“They share a sense of grievance and distrust of formal political institutions. That combination can turn volatile quickly.”
The African National Congress (ANC) government has condemned violent protests and warned that attempts to exploit social discontent for political gain would “undermine democracy.”
Footage of the clashes quickly spread online, with videos showing protesters scattering as police vehicles advanced.
Hashtags #DudulaProtest, #MKParty, and #NasrecClashes trended throughout the afternoon.
While some users praised law enforcement for maintaining order, others accused police of “heavy-handed” tactics.
A widely shared post read:
“Dudula members are being treated like criminals while foreign syndicates operate freely. South Africans have had enough!”
Another countered:
“This movement hides hate speech behind patriotism. Violence will not fix unemployment or corruption.”
Digital analysts reported that misinformation was also spreading online, with edited videos and old protest footage circulating under the new hashtags.
Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) spokesperson Xolani Fihla said officers had acted “within the law” to prevent escalation.
He confirmed at least seven arrests on charges of public disturbance, obstruction, and assault on a law enforcement officer.
“We urge all organizations to communicate peacefully with the city before staging demonstrations,” Fihla said.
“Security restrictions were in place for a reason. No protest will be allowed inside the G20 safety perimeter.”
City officials added that they had offered multiple alternate locations for the Dudula protest to ensure public safety and prevent interference with international traffic routes.
Civil-society organizations have condemned both the violence and the anti-immigrant tone of some Dudula messaging.
The Consortium for Refugees and Migrants in South Africa (CoRMSA) called for restraint and dialogue.
“While South Africans have a legitimate right to protest, targeting migrants only deepens division,” said CoRMSA director Sibusiso Kasa.
“We need leadership that addresses poverty and services, not scapegoating.”
Human-rights monitors have asked the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) to investigate reports of racial slurs and intimidation during the protest.
The MK Party’s participation in the protest has drawn sharp reactions from other opposition parties.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) accused MK leaders of “aligning with extremists,” while the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) said the event exposed “growing public despair under ANC mismanagement.”
Government spokesperson Phumla Williams said that while protests were a democratic right, “those rights end where violence begins.”
She confirmed that the Department of Home Affairs will soon announce new immigration enforcement measures—possibly to ease public tensions.
Analysts believe the unrest signals a new phase of political competition among South Africa’s grassroots movements.
With elections approaching, groups like Operation Dudula and the MK Party could seek to convert social anger into political capital.
Authorities have confirmed that an internal police review will assess whether officers used excessive force at the Dudula protest near Nasrec.
City officials are also planning a meeting with community leaders to prevent further unrest in coming weeks.
Operation Dudula has already announced plans for a follow-up protest in central Johannesburg next month, vowing to “reclaim the streets peacefully.”
MK Party representatives have not confirmed whether they will participate again.
Observers warn that without clear communication between protesters, government, and law enforcement, similar confrontations could erupt elsewhere.
“The anger is real, and unless the root causes—jobs, services, governance—are addressed, these protests will only grow,” said Dr. Mkhize.
