Latest news with #ZandileDabula
IOL News
3 days ago
- Health
- IOL News
Healthcare workers could be colluding with Operation Dudula
With scores of undocumented foreign nationals being turned away at Addington Hospital in Durban and other health facilities in parts of the country, the leader of Operation Dudula, Zandile Dabula, has vowed to continue the movement's anti-foreigner healthcare campaign across the country. Image: Leon Lestrade / Independent Newspapers. HEALTHCARE workers allegedly colluding with members of Operation Dudula in preventing healthcare users suspected of being undocumented foreign nationals from accessing healthcare facilities are in violation of the constitution, the National Health Act and the Hippocratic oath they took, says the Health Department. 'We have been alerted of such allegations of collusion between healthcare workers and members of Operation Dudula preventing healthcare users without forms of identification due to suspicion of undocumented foreign nationals, and we call upon anyone with a shred of evidence to share with us so we can act accordingly without fear of favour,' said Health Department spokesperson Foster Mohale. He said any security guard employed by the department, directly or indirectly, who assists the protesters block healthcare users from accessing facilities, will be charged for overreaching their mandate which is to protect the facilities. 'They would equally face actions for violating the laws and policies of the country. South Africa is not a lawless and xenophobic country, thus we call upon law enforcement agencies to enforce the law against anyone who undermines the laws of our country,' Mohale said. This comes after a Doctors Without Borders (MSF) assessment to understand the severity of the blocking of non-South Africans from accessing healthcare found some security staff and healthcare staff working in collusion with anti-migrant groups. The organisation expressed its deep concern over the physical blocking of non-South Africans, including pregnant women, people living with HIV, chronic patients and children - particularly in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. 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. 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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 ✕ 'For several weeks now, anti-migrant groups have camped outside dozens of clinics and hospitals in Gauteng, preventing non-South Africans from entering public health facilities to seek medical care, irrespective of their legal documentation status,' MSF said. MSF called for immediate action by the department and relevant provincial departments of health to guarantee the right of access to healthcare for all. The MSF-launched assessment to understand the severity of these blockages saw their team visit 15 hospitals and clinics in Gauteng, where they witnessed patients being turned away from more than half of these healthcare facilities by groups of between two and 10 people, wearing civilian clothing. The groups are either stationed at the gate or inside facilities and demand identification from every person who tries to enter, turning away those they deem non-South African. From MSF's assessment, the issue was more widespread at primary healthcare clinics (PHCs) than hospitals. 'Our team even witnessed two clinics where security staff and healthcare workers worked in collusion with these anti-migrant groups. We urge the Department of Health to immediately address healthcare facilities who are enabling or encouraging any kind of denial of healthcare,' said MSF Southern Africa's Director of Operational Support Unit, Claire Waterhouse. The MSF team also visited and called nearly 50 patients who indicated that they were denied access to healthcare in 24 healthcare facilities in and around Johannesburg, Durban and Tshwane. The patients consisting primarily of late-term pregnant women and people with diabetes, hypertension and HIV, have expressed fear, panic and confusion. Most informed MSF that they already struggle financially and are unable to buy medication or afford private medical care. *Thando, a 33-year-old woman, was turned away on July 14 from a queue inside a hospital in Gauteng by an anti-migrant group for being undocumented. She is a 16-week high-risk pregnant patient who is also hypertensive. 'I already knew of the situation at the hospital when I went because another girl had already told me that foreigners were being turned away. But I still decided to try. So, I got to the hospital early in the morning at 7am. There were about seven to eight people in the queue already'. A man randomly appeared holding a South African ID card. 'He waved it, walking around and showing us. He said that if any of us didn't have something like what he was holding, or if a passport didn't have a permit, we should start getting out. The nurses were there, and they started laughing, supporting him. They said we don't pay tax, and they are tired of us. They said we can go; it will be less work for them. Only four people were left inside when the rest of us had to leave,' added Thando. MSF said South Africans who have lost or forgotten their ID documents, or those they assumed 'did not look or sound South African' enough, are also losing access. *The patient's name has been changed. Cape Times
The South African
4 days ago
- Health
- The South African
Operation Dudula vows to keep blocking foreign nationals from clinics
Operation Dudula has vowed to continue preventing foreign nationals from accessing public healthcare services in South Africa. The group renewed its stance following the release of three members arrested at the Lillian Ngoyi Clinic in Diepkloof, Soweto. Police had detained them for questioning patients about their nationality and demanding identity documents, before releasing them with a warning. Operation Dudula President Zandile Dabula speaking with SABC News said foreign nationals must pay for healthcare if they want to use South African facilities. 'We do not want foreigners to be accessing our public healthcare facilities,' Dabula said. 'If they need medical attention, they should go to private facilities and pay for them. If a public facility can confirm legal entry into the country and charge for services, we will not have a problem. But if you are here illegally, we do not want you near our clinics.' she added. Dabula claimed the arrests were intended to frustrate the organisation's activities. 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 Citizen
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Top 10 stories of the day: Gayton McKenzie apologises
Here's your daily news update for Monday, 11 August 2025: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories. In the news today, sports, arts and culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has issued a public apology for 'insensitive, stupid and hurtful' tweets from more than a decade ago. Meanwhile, Operation Dudula President Zandile Dabula vowed that the NGO-turned-political party would not stop preventing illegal immigrants from accessing the country's public healthcare facilities. Furthermore, the legal representative for Pethe Sara Simao, the Mozambican national accused of the rape and murder of Amantle Samane, said the accused will plead guilty on all four counts. Weather tomorrow: 12 August 2025 The South African Weather Service forecasts cool to cold conditions for most provinces on Tuesday, with drizzle in the east and isolated showers inland. Full weather forecast here. Stay up to date with The Citizen – More News, Your Way. Gayton McKenzie apologises for being a troll but blames EFF for racism saga Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie has issued a public apology for 'insensitive, stupid and hurtful' tweets from more than a decade ago, while vehemently denying allegations of racism and blaming the EFF for orchestrating a political campaign against him. The Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader found himself under intense scrutiny last week after old tweets resurfaced on social media. Minister Gayton McKenzie's social media past is catching up with him. Picture: Gayton McKenzie/Facebook This came after he called for accountability against the Open Chats Podcast hosts for making racist remarks about coloured people. McKenzie mounted a defence during a Facebook Live broadcast on Sunday night, asking: 'How can I be racist against black people if I'm black?' CONTINUE READING: Gayton McKenzie apologises for being a troll but blames EFF for racism saga 'We've not broken any laws': Operation Dudula to press on with ID checks after members freed on warning Three women believed to be linked to the anti-foreigner group Operation Dudula have been released on warning after being arrested for allegedly disrupting services at the Lillian Ngoyi Community Health Centre in Diepkloof, Soweto. The women, aged between 49 and 60, appeared briefly at the Orlando Magistrate's Court on Monday, facing charges of public violence, trespassing, and violating the National Health Act. Disgruntled South Africans march against illegal immigrants in Orange Grove, Johannesburg on 13 February 2022. Picture: Michel Bega Speaking to the crowd outside the court, Operation Dudula President Zandile Dabula vowed that the NGO-turned-political party would not halt its work. 'We're not going to stop. I'm not inciting violence, but if we have to fight, if this country has to be ungovernable, then let it be. We're going to operate. CONTINUE READING: 'We've not broken any laws': Operation Dudula to press on with ID checks after members freed on warning Amantle Samane case: Pethe Sara Simao to plead guilty on all counts — lawyer The legal representative for Pethe Sara Simao, the Mozambican national accused of the rape and murder of Amantle Samane, said the accused will plead guilty on all four counts. Simao made a brief appearance in the High Court of South Africa, Gauteng Division in Johannesburg, on Monday. Pethe Sara Simao appears for murder of six-year-old Amantle Samane at the Johannesburg High Court on 11 August 2025. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/The Citizen Speaking to the SABC News following his appearance, Advocate Ndivhuwo Masindi confirmed his client had decided to plead guilty on all four counts. 'Before we go on trial, we have to receive copies of the docket, which we have received. We perused it. After a thorough consultation with my client, we decided that he will plead guilty on all four counts. We took the decision after receiving the disclosure from the state,' said the advocate. CONTINUE READING: Amantle Samane case: Pethe Sara Simao to plead guilty on all counts — lawyer 'Military veterans' born in the 90s banked R3.5 million in business support Funds earmarked for businesses owned by military veterans have been given to companies headed by directors who had not yet started school when the new South Africa was born. A budget allocation meant for military veterans exists within the Gauteng government, but the opposition has called the past two financial years' payments 'questionable'. Members of the Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA) members arrives at Avelon Cemetery in Soweto, 6 January 2020, for the SA Communist Party's commemoration ceremony for Joe Slovo. Picture: Nigel Sibanda The Department of Sport, Art, Culture and Recreation (SACR) recently confirmed its expenditure on military veteran support programmes via a written response to questions posed in the provincial legislature. The Gauteng government gave R8.5 million to companies owned by military veterans in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 financial years, but at least R3.5 million of that went to directors born in or later than 1990. CONTINUE READING: 'Military veterans' born in the 90s banked R3.5 million in business support Boom, goes your job: Man's fake bomb threats to skip work earn him real jail time A 50-year-old Bellville man who sparked mass panic by making hoax bomb threats to police has been sentenced to five years' direct imprisonment. The Bellville regional court convicted Ferdinand Fortuin on three counts under the Protection of Constitutional Democracy Against Terrorism and Related Activities Act (POCDATARA), after he falsely claimed to have planted explosives at the Department of Water and Sanitation, Transnet offices and the Bellville taxi rank. Picture: iStock The threats, made on 11 November 2024, forced the evacuation of more than 3 500 people and the deployment of multiple specialised police units. According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Fortuin admitted in his plea and sentencing agreement that he had been drinking heavily the day before and 'did not want to go to work the following day'. CONTINUE READING: Boom, goes your job: Man's fake bomb threats to skip work earn him real jail time Here are five more stories of the day: Yesterday's News recap READ HERE: Top 10 stories of the day: Police commissioner to be arrested? | National Dialogue disaster | 'Give Gayton the boot'
The Citizen
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
‘We've not broken any laws': Operation Dudula to press on with ID checks after members freed on warning
The NGO-turned-political party maintains it has done nothing wrong. Three women believed to be linked to the anti-foreigner group Operation Dudula have been released on warning after being arrested for allegedly disrupting services at the Lillian Ngoyi Community Health Centre in Diepkloof, Soweto. The women, aged between 49 and 60, appeared briefly at the Orlando Magistrate's Court on Monday, facing charges of public violence, trespassing, and violating the National Health Act. The authorities apprehended the women after they allegedly entered the clinic's maternity ward and demanded that patients produce identity documents to verify their nationalities. Outside the court, members of Operation Dudula gathered in protest, showing support for the arrested women. Operation Dudula says ID checks will continue Speaking to the crowd, Operation Dudula President Zandile Dabula confirmed that the women were released. Their case will reportedly return to court on 10 September. 'This process was just to frustrate us. There's no way that you will keep people in jail for five days and give them free bail and take them out on a warning. 'We have been treated like this is a Schedule 6 offence,' she said. Dabula accused the state of reverting to repressive tactics. 'The government of the ANC and the GNU together, they're taking us back to the apartheid days. 'They're using the system. It's just coming in a different colour now. They're using the police to work against us.' ALSO READ: Operation Dudula wants to know why organisations prioritise foreign nationals She vowed that the NGO-turned-political party would not halt its work. 'We're not going to stop. I'm not inciting violence, but if we have to fight, if this country has to be ungovernable, then let it be. We're going to operate. 'There is nothing wrong that we have done. We have not broken any laws. Instead, we are implementing and enforcing the laws that the government is failing to enforce.' Dabula also claimed that the Health Ministry had instructed law enforcement authorities to arrest Operation Dudula members during such activities. 'Today we have a meeting with the Minister of Health; he must tell us why did he issue an instruction that our people needs to be arrested when we do this operation.' Government concerned The denial of healthcare services to foreign nationals at state facilities was previously condemned by government. 'While 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,' a statement released by the Government Communications Information Service (GCIS) reads. The government stressed that taking the law into one's own hands is unacceptable and cautioned that such conduct directly contravenes the Constitution, which guarantees everyone the right to access healthcare services. 'This right is not subject to an individual's nationality or immigration status. Denying individuals healthcare based on their origin is a violation of our laws and values as a nation.' The statement further noted that the government is taking active steps to improve the country's health system by boosting the number of healthcare workers and enhancing resources at medical facilities. 'At the same time, government continues to address and manage migration-related issues in a lawful and orderly manner.' NOW READ: Gauteng health MEC warns against denying foreign nationals health care access
TimesLIVE
30-07-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Operation Dudula 'will stop illegal foreign children' going to state schools
Anti-migrant group Operation Dudula has vowed to launch a campaign to block illegal foreign children from entering state schools. The organisation's leader Zandile Dabula said the campaign will be launched in December and implemented in the first week of January 2026. 'We're going to be stationed at schools, and no foreign child will be allowed to attend a public school,' Dabula said. 'They can rather take them to private schools — we don't care, but state schools are going to be reserved for South African children only.' She clarified that this applied only to illegal foreigners, adding that those who claim to be documented would be checked with the department of home affairs before they could be accepted. However, preference would be given to South African pupils. 'They must be checked, thoroughly checked — because how did they come to this country? Are their parents documented? But they will be last in the queue. Our South Africans will come first. We have limited resources as a country — but if we had the resources, we would share with other people.
