Cape Town – Operation Dudula has welcomed the Durban High Court’s decision to dismiss an application by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), which sought to interdict the movement and its planned march.
The movement has been accused of attempting to deny foreign nationals access to South African healthcare facilities.
According to Operation Dudula, the application was dismissed with costs after the Durban High Court struck it off the roll due to a lack of urgency.
“Judge David Sachs says the application was an abuse of court processes after the court heard that the commission already started to prepare the application in July but only served the papers on Operation Dudula and March and March, on Monday,” said Operation Dudula.
An application by the South African Human Rights Commission for an interdict against Operation Dudula and the March and March, has been struck off the roll with costs in the Durban High Court due to a lack of urgency.
Judge David Sachs says the application was an abuse of court… pic.twitter.com/S9YXQTNmD1
— Operation Dudula (@0perationDudula) October 11, 2025
The ruling follows a statement issued by the SAHRC on Wednesday, 2 July 2025, in which the commission stressed that access to healthcare is a universal right guaranteed to all individuals within South Africa’s borders, as enshrined in the Constitution.
Media Statement: SAHRC institute legal proceedings against the unlawful denial of non-nationals and undocumented persons from entering and receiving medical treatment at public health care facilities https://t.co/O05nmBmRVw pic.twitter.com/oTOn2FD6Uf
— SAHRCommission (@SAHRCommission) October 7, 2025
“As part of its efforts to address the issue, the SAHRC engaged with the Department of Health and the office of the National Commissioner of Police.
“While these state organs, through their engagements with the SAHRC and the media, indicated that steps would be taken to prevent the denial of access to public healthcare facilities by vigilante groups and individuals, the conduct of Operation Dudula, and March & March continues unabated, and no steps appear to be taken to assist the affected patients seeking medical services,” said SAHRC.
The SAHRC said it had filed an urgent application in the Durban High Court against the implicated parties and reaffirmed its commitment to upholding its constitutional mandate to protect the rights of all people in South Africa, while working with stakeholders to ensure access to public healthcare and maintain law and order.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Picture: X/@Judaeda3
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Anda Tolibadi
