-Staff Writer 22,Sat Nov 2025
The South Africa Police Service (SAPS) have nabbed Two members of the Civil pressure group Operation Dudula on Saturday, 22 November 2025 after clashes with Public Order Policing (POP) officers near the G20 Leaders Summit in Nasrec expo in Johannesburg.
The National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said in a statement that police have opened cases of public violence, assault of a police officer, and contravention of a court order after the protesters allegedly attempted to forcefully march towards the summit venue.
The group is accused of trying to block Baragwanath and Nasrec roads, routes used by visiting Heads of State and foreign dignitaries.
According to Mathe the POP officers issued several warnings, but the protesters refused to comply.
“A scuffle ensued where members sprayed police with pepper spray, threw objects and pushed officers around,” she said.
One officer was injured and taken to a nearby medical facility for treatment.
Police used protective shields to push the group back to the designated speakers’ corner.
Mathe confirmed that two men, aged 46 and 54, were arrested at the scene.
She commended other protest groups who demonstrated at the four approved speakers’ corners, saying they conducted themselves within the confines of the law.
“The NATJOINTS will continue to enforce the law without fear or favour to ensure that the G20 Leaders Summit takes place in a safe, secure and peaceful environment,” Mathe added.
responding to the arrest of its members operation dudula leader Zandnile Dabula accused the police of showing force against the members of group.
“You know the sad thing is that the force that they showing to us as South Africans, they can’t show it to criminals. That is why we have a Madlanga Commission today. When they are supposed to the right things to the criminals they don’t do it. Some of us were arrested for fighting crime, ” Dabula said.
The operation dudula had recently made its intention to picket or protest outside the G20 summit known.
In a statement the operation pressure group said “Operation Dudula welcomes the privilege and responsibility bestowed on South Africa to host the G20 summit. This event marks a historic moment as South Africa is the first African country to host world leaders under this global forum”
The pressure also mentioned that while they were acknowleding and celebrating the diplomatic and symbolic value of this achievement, the G20 Summit, despite its global prestige, it would not by itself alter the material conditions of millions of South Africans who continue to face declining access to basic services due to the influx of illegal immigrants and corruption.
“It is for this reason that Operation Dudula has resolved to organise a peaceful and lawful picket to demonstrate to the government that once the G20 Summit concludes, the agenda of putting South Africans first must remain the nation’s top priority,” the group said.
News Junction (Gold Standard)