South African police have confirmed that a criminal case has been opened against Operation Dudula following violent clashes outside the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg over the weekend.
The confrontation erupted on Saturday near the Nasrec Expo Centre, where global leaders had gathered for the historic summit — the first G20 meeting ever hosted on African soil.
Although Operation Dudula had vowed to hold a peaceful demonstration, tensions escalated when members grew frustrated with being restricted to a designated protest area nearly one kilometre from the summit venue. Arguing that their message would not reach international delegates, some protesters attempted to push through police lines in an effort to get closer.
SAPS confirmed that several members were arrested, and charges of public violence and violations of the Gatherings Act have been laid against the group.
“The whole point of picketing is to send a strong message to the dignitaries attending the G20,” a protest leader said. “We are placed almost a kilometre away… It is not shoppers we want to talk to. We want President Ramaphosa and world leaders to hear us.”
Security forces had previously warned that zero tolerance would be applied to any attempts to disrupt the summit.
The investigation is ongoing, with police expected to tighten monitoring of politically charged gatherings linked to the event.
