The National Department of Health has slammed the ongoing anti-illegal immigrant campaign across South Africa’s healthcare facilities.

This comes after the controversial Operation Dudula returned to the Lillian Ngoyi healthcare facility after their members were released on bail by the Orlando Magistrates Court on Monday, following their arrest for enforcing their campaign at the same facility on Thursday.

The arrest was confirmed last week by Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo, who said the suspects, aged between 49 and 60, were arrested on charges including contravention of the National Health Act and public violence.

The arrest came after the three members were locked inside one of the Lillian Ngoyi wards following the enforcement of the movement’s anti-illegal foreigners campaign at Gauteng clinics and hospitals.

This campaign, which has been ongoing for over two months, has received criticism from the government and civil society organisations, who have slammed Operation Dudula for preventing alleged illegal immigrants from accessing healthcare at government healthcare facilities across the country.

Speaking during the picket outside Lillian Ngoyi clinic in Soweto on Monday, the movement’s leader, Zandile Dubula, decried the “unlawful” arrest of its members, who spent the weekend behind bars at the Diepkloof police station, prompting weekend-long protests outside the station.

“Our members were released on free bail and are out on a warning. However, their arrest was unnecessary, and the system was designed to frustrate us more than anything. There was no need to keep them in custody the entire weekend. They were treated as if they were hardcore criminals when they were not hardened criminals. They were refused visitors and food, which was not necessary,” she stated.

During the picket outside the Lilian Ngoyi facility, Siphiwe Shabangu, a member of the movement, slammed the government for allowing undocumented immigrants to access free healthcare at public health facilities.

“We are not obstructing anyone and we are picketing peacefully. However, police continue to harass us,” said Shabangu.

Masondo said police were called to the facility last week after the suspects were locked in one of the labour wards by nursing staff and patients, who felt their rights were being violated.

“The suspects were arrested and charged with contravention of the National Health Act and public violence, among other charges,” he said.

Reacting to the ongoing campaign, the national health department spokesperson Foster Mohale, condemned the campaign for its interference with the provision of services.

“As the Department of Health, we have noted the ongoing protest actions around our healthcare facilities by members of  Operation Dudula and other organisations.  We do not condone these actions interfering with healthcare services. We have since reached out to the leadership of Operation Dudula for a sit-down meeting in order to find long-lasting solutions to these challenges,” he said.

siyabonga.sithole@inl.co.za

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