Three Operation Dudula women in court over ID demands at Soweto clinic
Image: Leon Lestrade Independent Newspapers
Three women from Operation Dudula are expected to appear in the Orlando Magistrate's Court on Monday after allegedly entering a Soweto clinic and demanding that patients produce their identity documents to prove their nationality.
The incident took place on Thursday at the Lilian Ngoyi Clinic in Diepkloof, Soweto.
The women, aged between 49 and 60, reportedly entered the maternity ward and disrupted services by questioning patients and demanding to see their identity documents.
Police were called to the scene after the suspects were locked inside one of the labour wards, where both staff and patients felt their rights had been violated.
Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo said the women were arrested and charged with contravention of the National Health Act and public violence, among other offences.
Operation Dudula, an anti-migrant group, launched a nationwide campaign in June aimed at preventing undocumented foreign nationals from accessing healthcare services at public facilities.
The group has been blocking foreign nationals from receiving treatment across Gauteng, claiming public healthcare should be reserved for South African citizens only.
They argue the country's healthcare system is overburdened and cannot support undocumented immigrants.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Next
Stay
Close ✕
The group's actions have drawn sharp criticism from government officials and human rights organisations, while some community members have expressed support.
In a separate incident in Booysens, two suspects were arrested after allegedly assaulting a man at a local clinic.
'It is alleged that on Monday, August 4, the victim was queuing for treatment when a woman approached him and demanded to see his ID or passport,' said Masondo.
'When he could not produce the documents, she called two accomplices who then assaulted the man and forced him to leave the facility.'
The victim later reported the incident to the Booysens Police Station. Two suspects were arrested and charged with contravention of the National Health Act and common assault.
simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za
IOL News
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
eNCA
an hour ago
- eNCA
Group vows to continue blocking access to public health facilities
JOHANNESBURG - Three arrested members of Operation Dudula have been released on a warning, after appearing in the Orlando Magistrate's Court. READ: Operation Dudula | Three women released on a warning They were arrested for denying foreign nationals access at a healthcare facility. Police say the women stormed the maternity ward at the Lilian Ngoyi Clinic in Diepkloof, and tried to remove a pregnant woman. But the arrests have not deterred them. Shortly after their release, they marched straight back to the clinic, to remove undocumented migrants. Dr Aslam Dasoo from the Health Progressive Forum discussed this with eNCA.
eNCA
2 hours ago
- eNCA
MSF Southern Africa sounds the alarm
JOHANNESBURG - Recent tensions are flaring over the treatment of foreign nationals at healthcare facilities, with a clear divide emerging between those who support and oppose the current practices. READ: Operation Dudula members arrested for blocking access to clinic released on warning Medical humanitarian group, Doctors Without Borders, has stepped into the debate, voicing serious concern over what they call an escalating crisis. Head of operational support unit at MSF Southern Africa, Claire Waterhouse, discussed this with eNCA.
IOL News
6 hours ago
- IOL News
Operation Dudula members released on bail after clash over healthcare access
Members of the controversial Operation Dudula protested outside the Lillian Ngoyi healthcare facility in Soweto on Monday, following the release of three members who had been arrested last Thursday. Image: Itumeleng English/Indepedent Newspapers 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. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading 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.
