Overview

• Operation Dudula allegedly delivered notices to some Soweto schools warning against admitting undocumented pupils for the 2026 academic year.
• The Gauteng Education Department said citizenship or immigration status does not determine placement in state schools.
• Officials restated the admissions priority order: home address in the feeder zone; sibling already enrolled or previous school attended; work address in the feeder zone; home within 30km; then beyond 30km.
• Placement is determined by each school's capacity in accordance with provincial regulations.
• The department warned that disrupting schools is unlawful and urged organisations to refrain, while encouraging undocumented learners to obtain documents with Home Affairs due to potential matric eligibility issues.