We have to prioritise South Africans': Anti-migrant movement blocks foreigners from healthcare

A group of migrants in South Africa, who have lived in the country for years, are being turned away from public health facilities by activists claiming they are not citizens. The movement, called Operation Dudula, says that foreigners must be prioritised over local residents when it comes to access to healthcare.

The clinic, which is located just north of Johannesburg, has become a frontline in the battle between those who want to deny migrants access to public services and those who claim this is an infringement on their human rights. The activists have been picketing at the entrance, checking identity cards before allowing anyone into the facility. Those without South African ID books are turned away.

For one migrant, Sicelokuhle Moyo, who has lived in South Africa since 2006, going to the clinic was a normal part of her daily routine. But this time, she found that the clinic had become off-limits due to Operation Dudula's presence. She stated that the activists demanded that everyone produce their documents before being allowed inside and that when she said she had a passport they refused to let her in.

Another migrant, Tendai Musvava, from Mozambique, was waiting at the same clinic with her young children. Despite having a passport, she too was turned away due to not possessing a South African ID book. "I feel like they do what they want because it's their country," she stated, describing how she felt after being rejected.

Mpho Lakaje reported that Operation Dudula's campaign is not new and has started as a local action in 2022 but had spread out to other parts of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provinces. The group claims that foreigners are taking up space and resources at public clinics and hospitals, while many South Africans struggle with poverty and unemployment.

However, Operation Dudula's actions have been met with opposition from some South Africans who welcome the movement as a way to fight back against what they perceive as an influx of migrants into their communities. One resident said that having foreign nationals stopped using the clinic had improved access for locals.

The situation highlights how xenophobia and anti-migrant sentiment is becoming increasingly entrenched in South Africa, with many activists using force to make their point. While some argue that foreigners are taking up resources at public clinics and hospitals, others claim that the situation is being blown out of proportion and that migrants have just as much a right to access healthcare as anyone else.

Operation Dudula's methods have been condemned by several major political parties in South Africa, including the Economic Freedom Fighters and the Democratic Alliance. However, despite the efforts of government officials to crack down on their activities, Operation Dudula appears to be emboldened and is turning its attention to public schools as part of a campaign to fight illegal immigration.

The crisis highlights how South Africans are increasingly taking the law into their own hands, with many communities refusing to accept migrants. As the situation escalates, it raises questions about what it means to be a citizen in South Africa and whether foreigners have the same rights as locals when it comes to accessing public services such as healthcare.

This is getting out of hand! Like, what's next? Are they gonna turn people away from hospitals because their mom's passport ain't from SA? I'm so worried about Sicelokuhle and Tendai and all the other migrants who are being turned away like they're some kinda unwanted guest. It's not just about resources, it's about basic human rights! If we start denying people healthcare because of their ID status, what's next? Are they gonna deny them food or water too? This is so messed up and I'm literally shaking my head in frustration

what's going on here is fml. These activists are using force & intimidation to deny ppl basic human rights... like access to healthcare . It's not about prioritizing locals, it's about xenophobia plain & simple . Just 'cause someone's a foreigner doesn't mean they don't deserve medical attention . And btw, who's making these ID books so hard to get in the first place?

This whole Operation Dudula situation is really concerning... It's like they're creating this binary where either you're a local or you're not, but what about people who've been living here for years? Like Sicelokuhle Moyo has been in South Africa since 2006 and she's still being turned away from the clinic. That's some serious marginalization going on...

I also think it's interesting how this movement is framing foreigners as a resource drain, but what about the systemic issues that are driving poverty and unemployment in South Africa? Are they just going to blame migrants for their own problems? I don't think so... We need to have a more nuanced conversation about immigration and access to healthcare. What if we prioritized addressing the root causes of inequality instead of scapegoating people who are trying to make a better life for themselves?

I saw this story pop up on my feeds yesterday and I was like "wait, didn't we already talk about this"? It seems like Operation Dudula is just another example of how xenophobia is becoming normalized in SA . I mean, I get that there are concerns about resource allocation, but turning away people who have lived in the country for years just because they don't have a SA ID book? That's just not right .

I was talking to my friend from Mozambique last week and she said how proud she is of her kids being able to access healthcare in SA . And now this? It's like, what even is the logic behind it all? Are we really going to let people's lives be dictated by their citizenship status? I don't think so .

And have we forgotten that migrants are just human beings too? They deserve access to healthcare and education just like anyone else . It's not about taking up space, it's about being treated with basic human dignity .

I'm worried where this is going to lead us...

I'm really worried about this situation in South Africa . It's not right that people are being turned away from public health facilities just because they don't have the right ID book. I mean, who has the time or resources to carry around a passport and ID book everywhere they go? And what's wrong with them wanting to help their fellow humans in need? Shouldn't we be working together as communities, not turning our backs on each other?

I've seen this kind of thing happen before in different parts of the world, and it never ends well. It's like, can't we just treat everyone with kindness and respect, regardless of where they're from? I'm all for people wanting to address the issue of migration, but this isn't the way to do it. We need to find a more constructive solution that doesn't involve harming or excluding others.

I think we need to have some real conversations about what it means to be a citizen in South Africa, and whether our laws and policies are really making life better for everyone . I'm all for fair and equal access to public services, and I don't think anyone should be turned away just because they're not from the "right" country. We need to find a way to balance our concerns about resource distribution with our basic human rights.

I'm so done with this forum, can't we discuss something else for once? Anyway, back to the news... I don't get why people are making a big deal about migrants using public health facilities in South Africa. Like, they're human beings too, you know? It's not like they're just waltzing into the country and taking all our resources.

I mean, Operation Dudula's claim that foreigners are "taking up space and resources" is so unfair. I'm sure most migrants who are living and working in South Africa are contributing members of society, just like anyone else. And what about those South Africans who can't afford healthcare but have the means to pay? Are they supposed to turn their backs on people who need help because of their nationality? It's all so xenophobic and ridiculous.

And don't even get me started on the activists' tactics - denying migrants access to clinics just because they don't have a South African ID book is just cruel. What about those who are waiting for their papers or can't afford one? It's like, come on, people, we're better than this.

I'm all for stricter immigration laws and all that, but not at the cost of basic human rights. We need to find a way to make healthcare accessible to everyone, regardless of nationality. This xenophobia thing is just plain nasty .

this is so frustrating... can't we all just get along? i mean, these people have been living here for years, paying taxes, contributing to society... and now they're being turned away from the very thing that's supposed to help them when they need it most. what's next? are they gonna start denying access to public schools too?

I'm so worried about people like Sicelokuhle and Tendai who are just trying to get some medical help... They've been living in SA for years, paying taxes and contributing to society, and yet they're being turned away because of their ID situation . It's just not right.

I mean, I can understand where the locals are coming from - it's a struggle to make ends meet and resources are limited. But this isn't the solution... we need to find ways to support each other, not turn our backs on people who need help. It's not like they're taking up all the space or resources, just that they're part of the community too.

And I'm getting so frustrated with Operation Dudula's tactics... picketing and turning people away because they don't have a certain ID is just cruel . What if they can't afford to get one? Or what if it takes them months to sort out their paperwork? It's not that simple.

I guess this is just another example of how complex our society is, with so many different perspectives and needs... It's making me think about what being a citizen really means in SA - is it just about having a certain ID or being born here?

I'm worried about these migrants being turned away from the clinic just because they don't have a South African ID book . I mean, what's wrong with having their own documents? It's not like they're taking up all the space and resources at the clinic... that's just xenophobia talking . And to me, it seems like this Operation Dudula movement is more about creating divisions between locals and foreigners rather than actually addressing the real issues of poverty and unemployment . It's like they think one group has to suffer for another to succeed... no way!

I'm so worried about these people ... I mean, who are we to judge someone's identity just because they don't have that ID book? It's like, what's next? Are they gonna stop you from getting a haircut or something? And what about all the people who actually need medical attention? Like, Sicelokuhle was there for years and now she gets turned away because of some activist group's rules . I feel like we're becoming more and more divided as a society... it's just not right . Can't we all just try to get along and help each other out?

I'm getting really frustrated with this whole thing . I mean, come on guys, just 'cause someone's not got an ID book, doesn't mean they're not human being? It's like, what happened to empathy and understanding? These people are coming here seeking help, trying to build a new life... and we're treating them like they're some kind of threat . I get that resources are tight and all that, but can't we just find a way to make it work for everyone?

And the fact that Operation Dudula's actions have been met with support from some South Africans is just... wow . It's like we've lost sight of what being human even means. We're not just fighting for our own survival, we're fighting for the humanity of others too. I mean, I get it, it's a complex issue and all, but let's try to keep the hate to a minimum, you know?

I was thinking about this weird dream I had last night where I was at a beach but everything was covered in fog ... anyway, what's going on with these activists in South Africa? Like, shouldn't everyone have access to healthcare no matter where they're from? I mean, it's not like they're just gonna leave and let the locals deal with it. That just doesn't seem right to me

I was also trying to order food online the other day and their website kept freezing ... guess that's what happens when you try to navigate too many tabs at once. Anyway, back to this South Africa thing. I feel bad for these migrants who are being turned away just because they don't have a certain ID card .

You know what would be great? If we could all just get along and treat each other with respect ... no matter where we're from or what our situation is. That's the kind of world I want to live in, not one where people are being picked on for not having the right papers .

I'm getting really worried about this Operation Dudula movement . It's not right that people are being turned away from public health facilities just because they don't have a South African ID book. Sicelokuhle Moyo was supposed to be able to get medical attention when she needed it, but the activists wouldn't let her in . And what really gets my goat is that some people are saying that foreigners are taking up space and resources at public clinics - it's just not true! There are plenty of South Africans who need help too .

It's also worrying to see how xenophobic this movement has become . The government needs to step in and tell Operation Dudula that their actions are unacceptable. We can't have people taking the law into their own hands like this . And what about those migrants who have been living in South Africa for years? Do they really not deserve access to healthcare just because of their immigration status?

I'm so frustrated that more people aren't speaking out against this movement . We need to stand together and say that everyone, regardless of nationality, deserves equal access to public services. This isn't about being anti-immigrant, it's about being anti-inequality .

I'm really concerned about where this is headed . It seems like Operation Dudula's actions are being fueled by a xenophobic attitude that's becoming more and more entrenched in our society. I mean, how many of us have family members or friends who have been affected by the struggles of migration? It's not just about numbers or resources, it's about basic human rights .

I think we need to take a step back and ask ourselves what's driving this sentiment. Is it really about foreigners taking up space and resources, or is it about a deeper-seated fear or insecurity? We need to have a national conversation about what it means to be a citizen in South Africa and whether our laws and policies are truly inclusive .

It's also worth noting that Operation Dudula's actions are not only affecting migrants but also the local residents who are being turned away from healthcare facilities. It's a classic case of "us versus them" mentality, which is only going to create more divisions and tension in our society .

We need to do better than this . We need to find ways to address the root causes of poverty and unemployment that are driving people to migrate in the first place, rather than scapegoating foreigners for our problems. It's time for us to come together as a nation and find common ground on this issue .