Africa-Press – South-Africa. Ahead of a visit from Health Minister Joe Phaahla, Kalafong Provincial Tertiary Hospital CEO Sello Matjila said Operation Dudula protesters prevented suspected foreigners from accessing healthcare at the facility, despite an interdict against them.
He was speaking during an SAFM interview on Thursday morning.
For the past two weeks, protesters stationed themselves outside the entrance of the hospital where they prevented people from accessing the facility in Atteridgeville, Pretoria if they were foreigners. It is alleged that people were stopped and questioned on the basis of their complexion or the clothes that they were wearing.
Matjila said the hospital obtained the interdict on Friday and that police and security guards were on site.
However, he said people were stopped and intimidated again on Thursday morning.
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Phaahla will conduct a site visit later on Thursday to “assess the impact of the current sporadic protests” on services.
In a statement, the health department said: “The department cautions against any individual or organisations whose actions pose [a] threat on the lives of health workers and patients and, working closely with the law enforcement agencies, will act accordingly. The department reiterates a call by government to condemn actions of those preventing people from accessing health facilities based on nationality, colour of their skin and the language they speak.”
Health department spokesperson Foster Mohale said during the same SAFM interview that foreigners have a right to be treated. He added that they might be required to pay for upper-level treatment.
Gauteng Premier David Makhura condemned Operation Dudula’s behaviour and called on the organisation to allow law enforcement agencies to do their work.
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