Operation Dudula’s Nhlanhla Lux released on R1 500 bail

Nhlanhla ‘Lux’ Mohlauli, the leader of the anti-foreigner group Operation Dudula, was released on R1 500 bail by the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

There were several supporters outside the court, as well as at the Johannesburg central police station, where Mohlauli has been detained since last week.

The court ordered the leader of Operation Dudula to avoid all communication and contact with the complainant, Victor Ramerafe, as a bail condition. Mohlauli was also told not to change his address and to hand over his passport to the investigating officer.

During Mohlauli’s appearance, a large number of police officers, including members of the public order policing unit, were stationed at the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court.

Ike Khumalo, the activist’s lawyer, has told Newzroom Afrika that the charges are ridiculous and absurd.

“Housebreaking and theft, malicious damage to property … he could have been released on a warning at the police station. The manner how he was arrested, he was arrested like a hardcore convict. So many (police) cars, some at the robots. We feel that it was heavy-handed,” said Khumalo.

“These charges are laughable because you can go interview the communities, and they will tell you that the guy is a drug dealer. People drop drugs there. They smoke drugs there.

Khumalo said the charges against Mohlauli are “political”. He said there was a team of attorneys and advocates helping Dlamini “because they do understand what he stands for”.

After a case was filed at the Dobsonville police station in Soweto on Wednesday, Mohlauli, also known as Nhlanhla Lux, was detained. Because he is a member of Julius Malema’s Economic Freedom Front (EFF), the complainant, Victor Ramerafe, was assisted in filing the complaint by the EFF.

After the movement accused Ramerafe’s home of being a drug den, members of Operation Dudula, commanded by Mohlauli, allegedly ransacked his home.

On Tuesday, Ramerafe went to register the complaint with the help of EFF members.

The EFF has given the police seven days to arrest Mohlauli, according to national spokeswoman Sinawo Tambo.

Mohlauli’s case was postponed until Monday for a bail hearing at the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

On Friday, personnel of Operation Dudula were also present in the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court.

“Politicians want to disturb our movement because what we are doing here is for everyone.

“We are sick and tired of all these illegal immigrants in our country. We are suffocating,” said Sello Mahibille, the leader of the movement in Tshwane.

He expressed his dissatisfaction with the police and questioned why Mohlauli was not apprehended on the day of the operation.

The EFF, according to Tambo, would not comment because it wanted the law to run its course.