By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Amidst rising wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa, members of government-backed militia group, the Operation Dudula have reportedly stormed some schools to forcefully eject children of other African nationals and block them from attending classes.
Disturbing anti-immigrant clips circulating on social media show chaotic scenes of fear and tension, with schoolchildren, many in uniform, seen running for safety as confusion rises.
In one of the clips, a visibly distressed child could be heard crying as a woman, believed to be his mother, attempted to calm him amid the unrest.
“The police are here. Don’t be scared. Police are here, why are you crying?” she repeatedly said, with her voice laced with fear and confusion.
Moments later, the situation appeared to spiral further out of control as gunshots rang out, sending pupils and bystanders scrambling in different directions, a popular online media platform, Sahara Reporters stated.
The exact circumstances surrounding the shooting were not very clear, but the sound of live ammunition has heightened fears about the safety of children caught in the crisis.
The situation is seen as a disturbing shift, where pupils are now targeted as victims of xenophobic activities — hostile treatment against migrants, hitherto targeted at marketplaces and residential areas.
The latest episode comes on the heels of a recent case in Johannesburg, where an Ethiopian national was shot dead in what authorities believe was a targeted killing.
The victim was gunned down at close range at the busy intersection of Jeppe and Von Wielligh Streets, in an apparent execution-style attack captured on CCTV.
The footage showed the assailant approaching the unsuspecting victim before opening fire without warning and calmly walking away, without any attempt to dispossess him of any valuable, raising suspicion of a planned attack.
The South African Police Service confirmed the incident, noting that no arrests have been made while investigations continue.
The killing, alongside the growing harassment of foreign nationals, has intensified scrutiny on the activities of groups like Operation Dudula, which has been linked to protests and campaigns demanding the removal of immigrants from local communities.
In another widely circulated video, a Nigerian trader was confronted and threatened by a group of locals during an anti-immigrant demonstration. Despite explaining that he had lived and worked in South Africa for years to support his family, the group dismissed his plea.
“I didn’t come to South Africa today. I’m here for a long time… the only thing is what I’m doing to feed my children,” the trader said.
“From now on, we don’t want foreigners in this town. We are fixing our South Africa now,” one of them declared, issuing an ultimatum for him and his family to leave.
Reacting to the surge in such incidents, the police condemned acts of intimidation and violence against foreign nationals, warning that they violate the country’s constitutional values.
“These actions are not only unlawful, but they stand in direct opposition to the values of dignity, equality, and human rights upon which our democracy is founded,” the police said.
