Latest news with #Thami
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Operation Dudula demands release of members detained
The Operation Dudula member described the detained members as "patriots" and "South African citizens that have taken a stand" against what they perceive as illegal immigration. Three Operation Dudula members remain in custody at Diepkloof Police Station following their arrest at the Lillian Ngoyi Clinic on Thursday. The women were detained after allegedly entering the clinic's maternity ward and attempting to remove a pregnant woman they claimed was a foreign national. Operation Dudula supporters demand release Operation Dudula members gathered at the Diepkloof Police Station from early Friday morning, demanding the immediate release of their detained colleagues. We will not be intimidated by our own government. Let's meet in Diepkloof Police Station at 8:00 for a proper shutdown of Diepkloof Police Station. — Operation Dudula (@0perationDudula) August 8, 2025 The group maintains its members were conducting legitimate operations to identify illegal foreigners allegedly accessing South African healthcare services. According to Operation Dudula member Thami, the three women entered the clinic to establish facts about foreign nationals in the facility. 'These three members had gotten inside to go and establish the facts and find out who is an illegal foreigner in the country,' Thami explained to eNCA. 'They had not even gotten to ask those questions. But they were in the maternity ward to try and find out.' Thami emphasised that the organisation follows specific protocols during their operations. 'When we conduct this operation, we engage with the staff first before we engage with whoever is not supposed to be there,' he said. ALSO READ: Why mass deportation is failing SA's immigration system Operation Dudula arrests and allegations The detained members claim they were arrested without proper procedure. In a viral video seen by The Citizen, one of the arrested women described the incident: 'We are in a van, we were arrested, foreigners have filled up Koos Clinic and its maternity ward. We don't know which account we have been arrested on.' She alleged that someone named Zodwa called the police on them. 'Zodwa always harasses us at clinics when we do our programmes. Today, she called the police on us, and more than 20 police officers came to us, the three women commanders,' the woman said. The arrested member claimed procedural violations during the arrest. 'We are travelling right now, and we don't even know which police station they're taking us to. They just told us that we are getting arrested; they didn't even read us our rights. We were just put inside the van.' According to video footage taken by Operation Dodula members, the three arrested women are identified as Cindy, Xoli, and Mamsi. It remains unclear which of the three was speaking in the viral arrest video. ALSO READ: Operation Dudula wanting to know why organisations prioritise foreign nationals Threats of Diepkloof Police Station shutdown Operation Dodula leader Zandile Dabula issued strong warnings following the arrests. 'Today, our commanders were arrested in Diepkloof. The charges are that they are impersonating immigration officers, police and labour inspectors,' Dabula said. She threatened broader action if the women are not released. 'We are going to make a call that everyone… If this country has to be closed, it's going to be a shutdown. Let's do that because we are not going to be intimidated by the police,' Dabula declared. Organisation's position on healthcare access Thami defended the group's actions as the enforcement of constitutional rights. He argued that foreign nationals were 'stealing our medication, abusing our system, our health care systems' and 'should not be given those rights because constitutionally they are not supposed to get those rights.' The Operation Dudula member described their detained colleagues as 'patriots' and 'South African citizens that have taken a stand' against what they perceive as illegal immigration. Police response Police spokesperson Brenda Muridili confirmed the women are in custody. 'They have not yet been charged, but they are still in custody,' Muridili told The Citizen. 'The charges that they are facing now are trespassing.' This response rebuts Dabula's claim that the charges are more serious, including impersonating immigration officers, police, and labour inspectors. Muridili said she would confirm when and where the three women will appear in court. READ NEXT: Saps probes officers after video shows police offloading beer bottles at liquor store
The South African
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The South African
Tired of spam calls? SA man shares hack to block spam calls
Viral videos never seem to dry up on the World Wide Web. Isn't it wild how there's always something bizarre or hilarious making the rounds? From people surfing shopping trolleys on highways to cringeworthy challenge fails, the Internet never stops surprising us. The latest viral sensation has grabbed the attention of millions, racking up likes and shares all over social media. Today's Eish Wena segment features a South African man who impressed Mzansi by revealing how to block unwanted calls from call centres and unknown numbers. Watch the video below @thamitech #tech #techtok #iphone #ios26 #ios #foryou #iphone15pro ♬ original sound – Thami Need your news quickly? Visit The South African website for all you need to know. Enjoy a wide variety of videos from news, lifestyle, travel, sports, viral videos and lots more! There is always something to watch here! Why not follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok while you're at it? Get ALL the news you need to know on the go at your convenience! Submit your videos for a chance to be featured in the daily Viral Video article and get your name mentioned. 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.
Mint
29-05-2025
- Health
- Mint
COVID-19 Death: 40-year-old UP patient dies in Chandigarh, suffered ‘severe' respiratory issues
COVID-19 Death: A 40-year-old patient died due to the COVID-19 virus on Wednesday at the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32 in Chandigarh, ANI reported, citing an official. GMCH Medical Superintendent GP Thami stated that the deceased was referred from Ludhiana and was hospitalised for two days with severe respiratory issues. On Tuesday, the patient tested positive for COVID-19 and succumbed to it during the early hours of Wednesday. Sharing details on the incident, Thami told ANI, 'Yesterday, a patient came. He was diagnosed with COVID. Today, he died at around 4 in the was 40 years old and belonged to Firozabad, UP. He was suffering from some respiratory problem and fever, then he was referred here from Ludhiana." While speaking on the preparedness of the hospital, Thami informed that an isolation ward has been designated. "We have made an isolation ward. We suspect more people to come here suffering from variant has not been identified now, it is preliminary," Thami said. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) confirmed that COVID-19 cases were reported again in some parts of the country. However, the current variants of the virus show mild symptoms similar to those of the Omicron strain. According to Arjun Dang, the Chief Executive Officer of Dr Dangs Lab, the rising cases of COVID-19 belonged to the sub-lineage of the Omicron virus, the report said. As per Dang, states such as Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, the variants named as 'Variants under Monitoring' were of types LF7 and NV181 and were more transmissible. "We must understand that the current spreading variants are again a sublineage of the Omicron virus. Additionally, in states like Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, we have certain other sub-variants that have been named Variants Under Monitoring, and these are basically of two types, LF7 and NV181. Currently, the cases that we are seeing are more transmissible. They can infect people easily, but again, from the severity perspective, till now, we have not seen any severe cases," Dang told ANI. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said that on Monday, India reported 1,009 active COVID-19 cases in the country. The Health Ministry's COVID-19 update indicated a total of 1009 active cases, with 752 new cases confirmed recently. Government data reveals that Kerala leads with the most active cases, totalling 430. Other states with significant case numbers include Maharashtra (209), Delhi (104), Gujarat (83), and Karnataka (47).
Hindustan Times
29-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
40-year-old man from Uttar Pradesh dies of Covid-19 in Chandigarh hospital
A 40-year-old patient from Firozabad, Uttar Pradesh, who was referred to the Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, Chandigarh, from Ludhiana died after testing positive for Covid-19, medical superintendent GP Thami said on Wednesday. This is the first reported case of Covid-19 in Chandigarh amid the recent surge in infections across the country. UT director health services Dr Suman Singh, however, stated the city's Covid count remains zero as this patient was not a resident of Chandigarh. He worked in Ludhiana and had been referred to the Chandigarh hospital two days ago. Last week, a 51-year-old woman from Yamunanagar in Haryana had tested positive for Covid-19 at a private hospital in Mohali. The 40-year-old patient was found to be infected with hepatitis and pneumonia and tested positive for Covid-19 on Tuesday. Around 4 am, on Wednesday, he breathed his last in the isolation ward of the hospital. Dr Thami said they have received directions from the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare to be prepared for Covid cases. 'We may expect Covid cases, but it is not expected to be severe,' said Dr Thami. He added that variant testing could not be carried out as it is done only when there are a large number of cases. Meanwhile, Dr Suman said the city hospitals are gearing up for any eventuality. At PGIMER, Special wards for Covid-19 patients, including ICU beds and high-dependency units, have been activated again. The oxygen supply systems, ventilators, and other life-saving equipment have been checked and kept ready in case there is a rise in serious cases. Dr Sanjay Jain, dean research, PGIMER, said, 'Most new variant cases are mild, but vigilance is essential, especially to protect the vulnerable. At PGIMER, we are proactively strengthening our preparedness to stay ahead of any possible surge.' Though no official advisory has been issued for the public, Prof Jain said asked people to wear a mask while visiting crowded places, especially hospitals. In case of fever, cough, breathing issues, runny nose, or loose motions, don't delay in seeing a doctor. Avoid taking antibiotics or steroids without a doctor's advice. Extra care is advised for vulnerable population such as the elderly, those with other health problems, and those with weak immunity should stay away from crowds and maintain proper hand hygiene.
Time of India
29-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Chandigarh sees 1st Covid death in N India as patient from Ludh dies in hosp
Chandigarh/Ludhiana: As Covid-19 cases surge in the country, Chandigarh saw the first Covid death on Wednesday, with a 40-year-old patient, originally from Firozabad in Uttar Pradesh, and referred from a Ludhiana hospital, succumbing at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, Chandigarh. Seven patients have reportedly died due to the virus recently, and this is the eighth death in the country and the first in North India. The earlier deaths were reported from Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh. Confirming the death, Dr GP Thami, Medical Superintendent at GMCH, said the patient, who worked in Ludhiana, was admitted to the hospital two days ago with severe respiratory problems. He tested positive for Covid on Tuesday and passed away early Wednesday did not have a recent travel history, as per his family. "We tested him on the second day as he came with respiratory distress and was put on a ventilator," said Dr Thami. The patient was immediately placed in isolation within the hospital's Covid ward. The body of the deceased was packed and handed over to his relatives. A health department official in Ludhiana said that the deceased used to work as a gardener and is survived by a wife and four children. The official added that the patient had suffered from fever, cough and breathlessness for three-four days before he went to a hospital on May 22. "On May 23, the patient was admitted to the hospital before his oxygen level dropped, and he was referred to a Chandigarh hospital on May 26. The patient was sent in an ambulance. After his death, his body was properly packed and sent to Ludhiana in an ambulance, and his family members have cremated him," the official added. The family members are asymptomatic as of now. According to the health department, about a year ago, the patient was initially admitted to SPS Hospital for fever and abdominal problems, where he was diagnosed with Hepatitis B. More recently, on May 23, 2025, he was admitted to ESI Hospital experiencing breathlessness and pneumonia. Health authorities in Chandigarh are working to detect the variant of Covid responsible for this infection. Dr Suman Singh, Director Health Services, Chandigarh, urged citizens to adhere to preventive measures. "Do not go to crowded places, wash hands, and observe hygiene. Do not self-medicate in case you have flu-like symptoms. Wear masks wherever necessary," advised Dr Singh. The administration is on high alert, emphasising the need for public vigilance and strict adherence to Covid-appropriate behaviour to contain the spread of the virus in the city. She said, "We will not have routine screening but test only suspected cases with influenza-like illness, pneumonia, etc." Regarding the testing for the new JN1 variant, the epidemiologists and public health experts in PGI have requested Punjab to send the sample for genomic surveillance to know the prevalent strain.
