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IOL News
5 days ago
- Health
- IOL News
Kopanang Africa: Migrants are not the cause of South Africa's healthcare crisis
A member of the March and March movement checks the identity document and appointment cards at the entrance of the Addington Hospital in KwaZulu-Natal Image: Leon Lestrade/Independent Newspapers Anti-xenophobia movement, Kopanang Africa, says the violent skirmishes witnessed outside numerous healthcare facilities in South Africa are an attempt to divert attention to hijack legitimate frustrations among communities including high unemployment and poor service delivery. 'We view the violent exclusion of foreign nationals from healthcare facilities as a grave violation of South Africa's constitutional and human rights framework. Operation Dudula's vigilante actions — blocking access to clinics, demanding identity documents, and intimidating patients — directly contravene Section 27 of the Constitution, which guarantees healthcare access to everyone within our borders, irrespective of nationality,' Mike Ndlovu, spokesperson Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia (Kopanang Africa also known as KAAX) told IOL. KAAX is a South African civil society collective committed to fighting xenophobia and promoting social justice. 'Recent incidents include forced denials of care to pregnant women, chronic patients, and children in Johannesburg clinics, coupled with psychological warfare through deportation threats. They also violate International human rights law, including the African Charter and ICCPR (International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights), which prohibit discrimination based on nationality,' said Ndlovu. IOL asked Ndlovu to clarify his organisation's sentiments, given the context of clinics and hospitals struggling to cater to the massive crowds requiring assistance. The influx of foreign nationals into South Africa is often blamed for the bulging crowds of patients at healthcare facilities. 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 Kopanang Africa said migrants are being used as a scapegoat in the healthcare crisis. Image: Kopanang Africa website Ndlovu responded: 'These vigilantes exploit legitimate public frustration like a 32% unemployment rate, over-strained services, and their narrative dangerously distorts reality. Data reveals that foreign nationals constitute only four percent of public hospital admissions according to 2029 data, primarily for obstetric and emergency care, not the exaggerated burden claimed by anti-migrant groups. 'Migrants contribute nine percent to GDP (gross domestic product) despite being 6.7 percent of the population, countering the 'job theft' myth. The real systemic threats include a R50 billion shortfall in public health funding, 45,000 nurse vacancies, and rampant corruption, for example, Gauteng Health's R1.2 billion loss to irregular contracts in 2022–2023,' he said. Furthermore, Ndlovu pointed out that the 2025 PEPFAR funding cuts on the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief funding cuts have slashed 17% of South Africa's HIV budget, causing over 8,000 healthcare worker retrenchments and clinic closures—crises unrelated to migration. 'Blaming migrants diverts attention from decades of state neglect and global aid failures,' he said. Commenting on the declining relations between sections of the South Africa community and migrants who have flooded into the country, owing to its buoyant economy and opportunities, Ndlovu said the reasons for the meltdown are diverse. 'South Africa's xenophobic violence stems from unhealed colonial fractures. KAAX advances reconciliation through legal and grassroots strategies. We are challenging Section 41 of the Immigration Act, which enables warrantless searches and racial profiling of migrants, perpetuating the toxic conflation of nationality with criminality,' said Ndlovu. 'Concurrently, we support economic solidarity. Migrant-owned businesses employ two South Africans per enterprise on average, creating interdependencies that defy xenophobic tropes . We demand implementation of the dormant 2019 National Action Plan to Combat Xenophobia — a policy ignored by the state.' Asked about the South African government's response to the skirmishes, Ndlovu said more could have been done by the authorities. 'We condemn the South African government's response to healthcare xenophobia as legally contradictory, operationally inadequate, and institutionally complicit. The government's statement verbally condemned vigilante blockades and affirmed healthcare rights under Section 27 of the Constitution; this response came only after weeks of unchecked violence and failed to address the core problem,' said Ndlovu. 'Operationally, despite promising police interventions and 'zero tolerance' for lawlessness , no arrests of Operation Dudula leaders have been documented since the statement's release.' He argued that the government's inaction reflects state complicity. 'Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber's "Operation New Broom" focuses exclusively on migrant arrests. KAAX concludes the government's response is a performative gesture that perpetuates apartheid-era exclusion by scapegoating migrants for systemic crises instead of prosecuting vigilantes and corrupt officials,' said Ndlovu. Dr Leon Schreiber, South Africa's Minister of Home Affairs Image: Ayanda Ndamane Independent Newspapers Last month, the government issued a statement, saying it has "noted with serious concern" the reported incidents where certain groups and communities have blocked foreign nationals from accessing healthcare services at public facilities. "While the government understands the genuine frustrations of many citizens regarding the pressures on public services, including overburdened clinics and exhausted healthcare workers, members of the public are urged to raise such concerns through lawful and appropriate channels. Taking the law into one's own hands is unacceptable and undermines the values enshrined in our democratic Constitution," said Nomonde Mnukwa, acting government spokesperson. "Such actions stand in direct violation of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, which affirms the foundational values of human dignity, equality, and the advancement of human rights and freedoms. Section 27(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, clearly provides that: 'Everyone has the right to have access to healthcare services'. This right is not subject to an individual's nationality or immigration status." She said denying individuals healthcare based on their origin is a violation of South Africa's laws and values as a nation. Additionally, Mnukwa said South Africa is a signatory to several regional and international agreements that aim to ensure access to healthcare for its citizens and, in some cases, for individuals within its borders. 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Free Malaysia Today
23-07-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Pakistani man charged with sodomy, sexual assault, robbery
Pakistani national Muhammad Hassan was charged in the Shah Alam sessions court today. PETALING JAYA : A Pakistani man pleaded not guilty in the Shah Alam sessions court today to several charges, including sodomy, sexual assault and robbery involving teenage and child victims. Muhammad Hassan, 24, made his plea after the charges were read to him in Urdu before judge Norazlin Othman, Berita Harian reported. Muhammad is accused of committing unnatural sexual intercourse with two male teenagers, aged 19 and 15, without their consent. The offences were allegedly committed on April 18 and June 26 in a forested area and a hall in Section 27, Shah Alam, at 1.30pm and 10.05pm, respectively. He was charged on two counts under Section 377C of the Penal Code, which provides for imprisonment of five to 20 years and whipping, if convicted. Muhammad was also charged with robbing the 19-year-old teenager of RM230 in cash, as well as threatening to injure the victim when he tried to escape. The offence falls under Section 392 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison with the possibility of a fine or whipping upon conviction. He was further charged with sexually assaulting two boys, aged eight and 13, at a playground in Section 28 and a wooded area near a school in Section 27 sometime between May 27 and late June. He faces a charge under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017, which carries a maximum 20-year jail term and whipping, if found guilty. The prosecution was led by deputy public prosecutors Nurul Sofea Jaysal and Ruthra Raj Selvarajoo. The accused was unrepresented. Muhammad appealed to the court to appoint a lawyer for him, as he did not have any acquaintance or family in the country. The court set Sept 23 for the next case mention.
The Herald
11-07-2025
- Health
- The Herald
NGOs: NPA must prosecute Mahlangu, Manamela for Life Esidimeni deaths
The two had ignored expert advice, Teffo said. ' The inquest found that the conduct of Ms Qedani Mahlangu and Makgabo Manamela on the face of it caused the tragic deaths of nine mental healthcare users,' said Section27 spokesperson Pearl Nicodemus. 'Today, also marks exactly one year of no action on prosecution from the NPA, despite the judgment from a three-year inquest that concluded in July 2024. 'Section27, the Life Esidimeni family members and the SA Depression and Anxiety Group remind the NPA that the mental healthcare users who died tragic and avoidable deaths while in the care of the state were human beings, with families who loved them and whose dignity and right to life were stolen. 'We remember the lives of Virginia Machpelah, Deborah Phehla, Frans Dekker, Charity Ratsotso, Koketso Mogoerane, Terrence Chaba, Daniel Josiah, Matlakala Motsoahae, and Lucky Maseko and the 135 others who died in this disaster. ' To ensure that we never again see such a disastrous and reckless abuse of public power in our country, the affected families and civil society organisations will continue, until we see justice done, to call on the NPA to prosecute. We urge the NPA to prioritise the prosecution of Ms Mahlangu and Dr Manamela.' After the judgment, the NPA said it would study it 'to determine whether the NPA will institute criminal prosecutions against the two individuals whom the court found can be held liable for the deaths'. SowetanLIVE
Malay Mail
06-07-2025
- Malay Mail
Pakistani suspect in Shah Alam child sex assault cases still on the run in Malaysia
SHAH ALAM, July 6 — A Pakistani man believed to be a suspect in four cases of sodomy and molestation involving three children and a teenage boy in Section 27 and Section 28 here, is believed to still be in the country. Shah Alam police chief ACP Mohd Iqbal Ibrahim said efforts are ongoing to track down and arrest the 25-year-old suspect who reportedly assaulted the victims in separate incidents between April and now. 'To date, the number of victims remains at four, all of whom are believed to be students or minors,' he said in a statement. He said investigations revealed the suspect would approach victims by asking them to pick up items or assist him with booking an e-hailing ride. He would then hug them from behind and choke them if they resisted. 'When the victims were distracted, he would punch and drag them to a location where he allegedly attempted to commit sodomy. The suspect also reportedly followed the victims while looking for an opportunity to strike,' Mohd Iqbal added. The case is being investigated under Section 14(a) of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 and Section 377C of the Penal Code. — Bernama
Barnama
06-07-2025
- Barnama
Pakistani Man Suspected Of Sodomising, Molesting Children Still In Malaysia
SHAH ALAM, July 6 (Bernama) -- A Pakistani man believed to be a suspect in four cases of sodomy and molestation involving three children and a teenage boy in Section 27 and Section 28 here, is believed to still be in the country. Shah Alam police chief ACP Mohd Iqbal Ibrahim said efforts are ongoing to track down and arrest the 25-year-old suspect who reportedly assaulted the victims in separate incidents between April and now. 'To date, the number of victims remains at four, all of whom are believed to be students or minors,' he said in a statement.
