Mayibuye Melisizwe Mandela Concerned citizen of the Republic of South Africa
By Mayibuye Melisizwe Mandela
Concerned Citizen of the Republic of South Africa
I issue this statement as a concerned citizen of the Republic of South Africa who believes in constitutional politics, accountability, and truth.
Let me begin by educating President of Operation Dudula Zandile Dabula because she clearly does not understand the meaning of a frontline state.
A front line state is a country that carries the burden of a regional struggle.
It absorbs the pressure, the migration impact, the instability, and the social consequences of that struggle.
South Africa has been a front line state before.
That reality requires leadership that understands governance, constitutional responsibility, political education, and the impact of decisions at a national and regional level.
I need to set the record straight.
I have never been linked to Operation Dudula or been part of that organisation in any way.
But I know many people who have been part of Operation Dudula, and they have personally shown me and told me about the things I am talking about.
I can even take anyone to the street vendors in Soweto and to the Pakistani shop owners in Soweto who have spoken about paying money under pressure.
These are their lived experiences, and they deserve to be heard.
Nobody is being paid to criticise Operation Dudula.
Elections in this country belong to the people of South Africa.
Operation Dudula failed at basic street committee politics in Soweto and does not even control one ward in this country.
Yet they now claim to speak on national matters.
That contradiction must be challenged politically, ethically, and truthfully.
I also condemn the unethical practice of Operation Dudula taking the work of others, including South African media, removing the original branding, and pasting their own logo as if they produced it.
This is theft and misrepresentation.
If you ever see your work used in this way, open a legal case immediately and defend your intellectual property. Nobody is above the law.
I am prepared to testify in any court of law about what I have personally seen and the reports I have received from community members about Operation Dudula.
I have direct knowledge of situations where people linked to Operation Dudula have demanded money from street vendors, Pakistani shop owners, and Somali shop owners.
They call these payments a protection fee.
I am also aware of cases where those who refuse to pay are threatened that they will be targeted or removed.
These are serious allegations that I can support with evidence if required.
If Operation Dudula disputes these claims, the courts are open to every citizen.
Let the truth be tested in law.
Each time anyone speaks publicly about Operation Dudula, they are contacted, pressured, or intimidated to withdraw their statements.
They have tried this with me as well.
Let it be clearly known that to me, Mayibuye Melisizwe Mandela, intimidation will never work.
I will not withdraw my statements and I will not be silenced.
Political matters must be addressed politically.
Not through harassment, private calls, or fear tactics.
If Operation Dudula claims to have removed informal traders from places such as Bara Hospital and Kalafong Hospital, then they must account for the real outcomes.
Street vendors are still operating in Bara.
The public deserves honesty, not propaganda while vulnerable people are reportedly exploited financially.
I call on Operation Dudula to answer the following questions publicly:
What is your funding model going into the Local Government Elections?
Who funds you and where are your audited financial records?
How many wards in South Africa do you actually lead or contest?
Do you collect money from informal traders and foreign owned businesses and if so under what legal authority?
Furthermore, I request that the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) investigate the financial accounts of Operation Dudula, including how they generate funds and distribute them, and
I urge the South African Police Service (SAPS) to probe claims of extortion.
How is it possible for Operation Dudula to offer loans of 100,000 Rand to their members?
Where does this money come from?
These are serious questions that the public has a right to know.
If you disagree with me, address me politically and directly.
Do not involve my family.
Do not threaten me.
Do not harass me.
That behaviour exposes immaturity and a lack of leadership discipline.
I will continue to speak openly about what is happening in our communities.
Attempts to silence me will only make me louder.
Our struggle must remain constitutional, ideological, ethical, and truthful.
Not driven by fear, manipulation, or misinformation.
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