Mbeki laments foreign nationals being blamed for SA’s problems

FORMER President Thabo Mbeki says it hurts him when he sees Operation Dudula blaming foreign nationals for South Africas problems, adding that the nation’s challenges cannot be blamed on migrants.

- SIMON MAJADIBODU

“When I see things like Operation Dudula, it hurts. We can’t position ourselves as though we're enemies of other Africans,” he said.

Mbeki was speaking in Johannesburg on Saturday at a Thanksgiving event marking the Thabo Mbeki Foundation’s 15th anniversary.

“It’s not right. There are problems — problems we have got to solve in this country — and we can't say those problems are caused by people who have migrated to South Africa. We have caused problems ... But I'm saying that’s where we come from,’ he said.

His remarks follow growing concerns over Operation Dudula’s actions.

The group is known for stationing its members at various public clinics and hospitals, especially in Gauteng, to check the legal status of foreign nationals using South African health care facilities.