ALSO READICYMI
Recently, South Africa has seen a rise in anti-immigrant feelings, with groups like Operation Dudula and Put South Africa First gaining attention for their actions. These groups claimed to be acting out of patriotism, echoing the idea of safeguarding South African interests. However, their methods and words often received criticism for being xenophobic.
Operation Dudula and PSF became notorious for targeting foreign-owned businesses, especially spaza shops, and accusing them of various wrongdoings, such as selling expired products and contributing to unemployment. Critics, including Julius Malema and his Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party, labeled these actions as xenophobic.
Interestingly, the EFF has found itself in a similar spotlight, engaging in activities that remind people of what they had previously criticized. With the upcoming elections, the EFF has started conducting raids on spaza shops owned by foreigners, inspecting goods to ensure compliance with regulations. This shift in their stance has caused some to accuse the EFF of political opportunism and inconsistency.
This situation highlights the intricate issues surrounding immigration and economic challenges in South Africa. It also sheds light on the changing strategies of political parties as they aim to gain popularity during election cycles. It emphasizes the need for a well-thought-out approach to address these problems, avoiding the pitfalls of xenophobia and inconsistency.
Everything that Operation Dudula and Put South Africa First people did which Julius Malema and his EFF mob called xenophobic, The EFF is doing exactly that today. They are raiding illegal foreigner owned spaza shops checking for expired goods etc. Operation Dudula and PSF did it… pic.twitter.com/rQxxJkoVwW
— Goolam (@goolammv) October 22, 2023
