By: Natasha Archary
Operation Dudula leader Nhlanhla Lux joins Kaya Drive host Sizwe Dhlomo for a candid conversation about his group’s recent activities against foreign nationals.
Always being politically aware, Lux got into activism from his days at university. Studying at the University of Johannesburg, the 35-year old used his voice when he was a student to tackle issues of racism and inequality.
The Operation Dudula leader said he’s content with what he’s doing and apart from his on-the-ground work to eradicate criminal activities in townships, Lux is also a businessman.
Connections? What connections?
Growing up in Soweto, Lux said a tough upbringing from sleeping on the floor of his family’s modest township home, meant he was forced from a young age to adapt in order to survive.
Trained as a commercial pilot, Lux could not pursue a career as a pilot, sharing with Sizwe that it’s just not a viable option for a black person to break even in aviation.
“If you don’t have networks, it’s not easy to get into this niche market. Maybe if I had the connections people seem to think I have, I would have been able to make it big as a pilot. But when you don’t come from money, it’s virtually impossible.”
Operation Dudula Leader Nhlanhla Lux shared on Kaay Drive
“I don’t answer for the men in blue, you will have to ask SAPS how they authorise searching people’s homes. Operation Dudula accompanies SAPS but ask the commissioner where the search warrants are, not Lux.”
Listen to Part 1 of Nhlanhla Lux’s interview on Kaya Drive:
Lux’s dad used to pull off CIT heists
Nhlanhla Lux Mohlauli opened up to Sizwe that his late dad used to pull off cash-in-transit heists.
“I found out much later that my dad was involved in CIT heists. This is how he paid off my school fees 5-years in advance.”
His dad influenced him in many ways, which is why Lux decided to start Operation Dudula. The name itself means to “repel” or “beat back” which is the loose Zulu translation.
Lux doesn’t consider his group a vigilante group, explaining that they are accompanied by police to each location.
However, Sizwe Dhlomo questioned who authorises Operation Dudula’s activities because private property cannot be searched unless there’s a search warrant.
Lux and his group were accused of unlawfully searching people’s homes and seizing property without search warrants.
According to Nhlanhla Lux what his group is doing cannot be considered criminal activity because they are working towards removing crime on the streets.
Speaking about the incident this weekend at Dobsonville where Operation Dudula were accused of gaining entry into an elderly man’s home without a search warrant, Lux said he couldn’t answer for SAPS why there wasn’t a search warrant.
The EFF have since helped Ntate Victor Ramerafe open a case of burglary, vandalism, theft and assault against Operation Dudula members, including leader Nhlanhla Lux himself.
Listen to part 2 here:
Operation Dudula
Members of Operation Dudula are made up of military vets who are trained and capable. Losing faith in the South African justice system, Lux said the joint operations with SAPS takes them closer to dealing with criminal activity.
While he understands there are corrupt police officers, there’s no other way his group can get to the heart of the problem and actively deal with drugs, and crimes committed by undocumented foreign nationals.
Nhlanhla Lux gained popularity last year during the violent looting incidents that gripped the country. Taking to the streets of Soweto, Lux and a group of community members stood guard outside Maponya Mall, making sure looters didn’t get in.
He believes that young people should take the reigns of the country so that they can create opportunities for themselves.
As to whether he is leading people astray and causing further dissension by sparking fear, panic and large scale xenophobia, Lux said his orders to restore order comes from the community.
“Hold the media responsible for the false narrative they are pushing. We go into the communities to teach them how to work with law enforcement. But never will you get media driving the positive social changes brought on by Operation Dudula.”
Nhlanhla Lux blamed media for painting his group in a negative light
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