A South African medical doctor, Phophi Ramathuba who is a Member of the Executive (MEC) of Health in Limpopo has said she is not xenophobic contrary to allegations by some on social media.
The allegations were made after a video in which she told a Zimbabwean patient to get medical treatment in Zimbabwe. In an interview with eNCA, Ramathuba later reiterated that Zimbabwean nationals who were going to South Africa illegally were worsening an already dire South African health crisis.
She also told SABC News that her province was abiding by the South African constitution which obliges health institutions to give medical care to everyone despite their place of origin, including foreign nationals. Watch the video below for more:
She said the rural province was under-resourced and “illegal foreign nationals” were abusing the facility.
She said she stands by what she said in a video being shared on social media.
The Doctor said South Africa has been engaging Zimbabwe at a national level to discuss the issue but South Africa is not being reimbursed for resources it would have used on foreign nationals.
Mrs Minister, you are very correct, the only problem is you addressed the issue on wrong platform. These Zimbabweans who are coming here are not mad, or crazy.some are even qualified more than you.Can you do this also to ZANU PF’s bigwigs( your friends) when them or their children come for health care here, why insulting this poor Zimbabwean, yet when ZANU PF members come here you treat them like kings.As ANC, you did contributed to this situation, because now you can’t manage to cotrol it, you start insulting poor Zimbabweans, shame on you! Stand for the truth, people were shot dead during last elections in Zim by ZANU, and you clapped hands, they are now running to you for refugee you insult them, one day God will punish you guys. To SA ordinary citizens, we are sorry to be in this situation, but our appeal is pliz stand with us as we cry for help, help us to speak out, and speak the truth.Really, the cry for Zimbabweans has been going un-head for too long, please help us to cry out.Mr Malema, stop protecting ZANU pf, Sadc has been failing us for long, please we need help, to have free and fair elections, then most of Zimbabweans will go back, to build the piecefull nation which we want.PLEASE HELP US, stop insulting us, we are crying for help, for free abd fair elections, amen!