Latest news with #Majome
The South African
7 days ago
- Health
- The South African
Jessie Majome defends Zimbabweans' right to healthcare in South Africa
Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission chairperson, Jessie Majome, has urged South Africans to show compassion toward Zimbabwean migrants. Majome has reminded all of the historic solidarity between the two nations during South Africa's liberation struggle. 'During the struggle for South Africa's independence, a lot of African countries, including Zimbabwe, hosted South Africans,' Majome said in an interview on Newzroom Afrika . Her comments come amid growing outrage over the denial of healthcare to undocumented Zimbabweans in South Africa. In recent months, protests have intensified, with groups like Operation Dudula blocking access to hospitals such as Kalafong in Gauteng. Protestors have stationed themselves outside clinics, demanding identity documents and turning away those unable to prove legal status. This is despite South Africa's Constitution guaranteeing access to emergency medical treatment for all, regardless of nationality, under Section 27. In July 2025, the South African Human Rights Commission reaffirmed that healthcare is a constitutional right. The commission condemned the unlawful gatekeeping and the ongoing policy confusion that enables some hospitals to ignore legal obligations. Legal challenges are now in motion to address exclusionary practices, particularly in Gauteng. Majome's message was clear: Africans must return to a spirit of empathy and justice. 'Some of the Zimbabweans who are in South Africa are in South Africa regularly and legitimately,' Majome said. 'But if there is intolerance and xenophobia, even those who are contributing to the economy of South Africa also bear the brand of negative attitudes, which are not helpful for South Africa. The bottom line is that we should and we can find the lasting solutions…' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
05-06-2025
- The South African
South Africans detained in Zimbabwe for illegal entry face deportation
Zimbabwean authorities have detained several South African nationals in Harare Remand Prison for breaching immigration laws and are holding them pending deportation. While many South Africans are pending deportation, the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) says three South African men face trial in Zimbabwe on charges of conspiracy to commit armed robbery. Meanwhile, the ZHRC reports that a Zimbabwean court has convicted a South African woman of dealing in dangerous drugs and sentenced her to 10 years in jail. ZHRC Chairperson Jessie Majome told IOL that officials have confirmed six men at Harare Remand Prison as South African nationals. She said they are now ready for deportation following verification by South Africa's High Commission. However, she said the South African diplomatic mission told Zimbabwean authorities that the elderly seventh man is not a South African citizen. As a result, officials will not deport him. Majome said she visited the prison and found 66 foreign nationals held in the men's section. 'It is an issue of concern to the Commission because it involves a special category of people who should not be in prison,' she said. She stressed that authorities should not treat people arrested for irregular immigration like suspects awaiting trial, even though the offence is illegal. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
