Nhlanhla Lux Promises To Build Informal Settlements Outside Politicians’ Houses
On Friday, 27 May, Operation Dudula leader Nhlanhla ‘Lux’ Dlamini addressed supporters outside the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court. Lux made a brief appearance in court.
The leader of Operation Dudula is accused of housebreaking, theft, and malicious property damage. The charges come after members of Operation Dudula raided a house in Soweto suspected of being strewn with drugs. This occurred in March.
After appearing in court, where the case was postponed until June 27, Lux promised his supporters that Operation Dudula would intervene in areas where the South African government had failed.
“We were in a meeting yesterday with all the hostels … It’s going to be a Soweto programme, we are going to build informal settlements outside politicians’ houses,” he said.
The first settlement will be built outside the home of Johannesburg Mayor Dr Mpho Phalatse, according to the movement’s leader.
A crowd of supporters for Lux had gathered a block away from the court. Temporary fences were erected around the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court building.
Miles Bhudu, an activist for prisoner rights, was visible in his orange jumpsuit. A far cry from the dozens of Lux supporters decked out in camouflage. Bhudu had his legs and arms chained and was holding a sign that read: “Nhlanhla Lux Dlamini, you are found not guilty and discharged”.
According to TimesLIVE, Bhudu believes Lux has been criminalized and that the ongoing case is reminiscent of apartheid-era tactics used to silence activists. “Nhlanhla Lux has been arrested for criminal reasons and they want to criminalise him. He is no criminal,” said Bhudu.
Previously, it was reported that Operation Dudula Leader Nhlanhla Lux could face three months in jail if he fails to comply with court orders. Police detained the controversial figure, who rose to prominence as the leader of an anti-illegal immigration group, after raiding a suspected drug dealer’s house in Soweto.
After a warrant for his arrest was issued, he was summoned to the Meadowlands Magistrate’s Court in Gauteng. Nhlanhla Lux first appeared in court three years ago, accused of assaulting his mother’s tenant.
Following a brief appearance, Nhlanhla Lux was given a ‘caution and discharge’ sentence, implying that the legal investigation into this particular incident is complete.
