Labour minister Thulas Nxesi on Saturday said the government will not allow South Africans to treat foreign nationals like animals because they too have rights.
Speaking during the presidential imbizo in North West, Nxesi said the government condemns Operation Dudula.
“We have listened to our people, we have heard their cries where they see some of the employers especially in Argriculture, Security, Tourism and Hospitality hiring non-South Africans to exploit them.
Earlier this week there were violent clashes between locals and foreign nationals in Alexandra township, north of Johannesburg.
The recent tensions came as members of the Alexandra Dudula Movement took to the streets of the township burning tyres and forcefully closing all shops and informal stores belonging to foreign nationals.
“We also do not agree with this Dudula approach because it creates confrontation and can lead to violence.
“All we are saying is that Dudula must come to us … and put in their proposals so that we are able to deal with this matter in an amicable way. We cannot allow violence and that is why we are going to be harsh when it comes to those areas. The police will be there to deal with that.”
