Staff Reporter

The ruling political party, African National Congress (ANC) has launched a clean city campaign that mirrors the eviction tactics long employed by the controversial anti-immigrant movement, Operation Dudula.

The move is a direct attempt by the former liberation movement to claw back dwindling public support by addressing the persistent political problem of undocumented foreign nationals.

Spearheaded by Executive Mayor Dada Morero and his newly formed bomb squad, a high-impact task team that includes ANC veteran Snuki Zikalala, the initiative focuses explicitly on removing undocumented occupants from the city’s dilapidated, hijacked buildings.

Morero has acknowledged the political imperative.

“Undocumented immigrants are one of the main challenges the city faces.

“We’ve strengthened by-law enforcement and crime prevention operations, with the sustained visibility of Johannesburg Metro Police Department, SA Police Service and home affairs.” He said.

“The coordinated presence of these agencies has become a permanent feature in the CBD.” He added.

To mitigate continental backlash against its perceived targeting of foreign nationals, the ANC is branding the effort as a clean city campaign.

However, Mayor Morero confirmed the central role of immigration status verification. “We are engaging in a structured consultation process with all occupants to verify their residency and immigration status,” he stated.

The bomb squad, a team of high-profile ANC figures, has been tasked with accelerating urban renewal and improving service delivery,