Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko has criticised the vigilante blockages where activists have been blocking state-owned hospital entrances, demanding identification from patients and turning away foreign nationals.

A week ago, IOL reported that members of Operation Dudula in Gauteng and members of the March and March movement began their campaign of manning the gates of government clinics and hospitals, including Addington Hospital, Gateway Clinic and RK Khan Hospital in Chatsworth, preventing alleged undocumented foreigners from accessing healthcare.

Speaking to broadcaster Newzroom Afrika on Wednesday, Nkomo-Ralehoko said the South African government has agreements with some countries where funds are recouped for services provided to foreign nationals in South Africa. For immigrants who walk into hospitals in Gauteng, without any government recommendation, the MEC said they are subject to stipulated fees for medical care.

“Yes, we do have those agreements, and some of those agreements, the countries are paying. But individuals that come on their own accord in the hospitals, they do pay too. There is this notion that everybody that gets there (government hospitals), coming from foreign countries, is not paying, that is not true,” she said.

“Not everyone is not paying. Like South Africans, some come and do not have money, but we make arrangements even for anyone that comes to our institutions who does not have the R100 to pay. There is no such.

“That is why I always say, people sometimes must stop telling stories that they do not have facts about. They must come so that we are able to explain to them,” said the Health MEC.

She said in many incidents, heavily pregnant women arrive at the healthcare facility, presenting an emergency, and turning them away because of nationality would be catastrophic for the mothers and unborn children.

“It is emergency cases, some of those people that come, that is why I get worried when people get turned away. Once it is an emergency, on that person, you don’t have a choice, you can’t stop that person,” said Nkomo-Ralehoko.

“It is not right what you are doing, of violating other people’s rights, you bring cameras so that you can show-off that indeed you are turning them back.”

The MEC there are ongoing discussions with non-government organisations and different stakeholders.

“We have to resolve this issue, all of us as South Africans. We cannot be seen being xenophobic, targeting specific nations so that they cannot get these services,” she said.

A week ago, IOL reported that the government had resolved to deploy Public Order Police to several public health facilities following a wave of protests in which foreign nationals were blocked from receiving medical care.

The South African Police Service, along with other law enforcement agencies, were implementing an operational plan to address protests by groups blocking foreign nationals’ access to healthcare facilities.

“The SAPS in collaboration with the Department of Health, is deploying Public Order Police to maintain law and order during the protests at the affected health facilities,” said the government in a statement.

The government added that law enforcement officials, working alongside the Department of Home Affairs, will continue to arrest and prosecute foreign nationals found to be in breach of the Immigration Act.

This escalation comes amid growing pressure from groups such as Operation Dudula and March and March, who accuse the government of failing to address the country’s migration challenges.

These groups argue that foreign nationals are placing undue pressure on South Africa’s public healthcare system. They want foreign nationals to be denied medical care. 

jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za

IOL News  

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