Operation Dudula vows to protect South Africa’s public healthcare services by preventing illegal immigrants from accessing free medical care. Image: SABC News.
(The Post News)– Operation Dudula group has vowed to continue blocking undocumented migrants from accessing public healthcare services. This comes after arrests at Lillian Ngoyi Clinic, Diepkloof, Soweto.
The anti-migrant group confronted patients at Lillian Ngoyi Clinic, demanding identification cards. They also questioned nationalities before police intervened and detained some members. Activists say their mission is to protect healthcare services for South Africans. They insist that undocumented migrants must not receive taxpayer-funded treatment at public facilities.
During the confrontation at Lillian Ngoyi Clinic, Operation Dudula members halted normal operations. Moreover, they demanded that patients’ identification cards be verified before treatment. During this operation, authorities detained several members. However, they later released them with warnings and no charges.
Zandile Dabula, president of Operation Dudula, said undocumented migrants should seek treatment at private facilities. She stressed that public healthcare services should prioritize citizens holding valid identification cards, particularly in overcrowded clinics like Lillian Ngoyi Clinic.
According to Dabula, Operation Dudula supports treatment for foreigners if healthcare services can verify legal status and secure payment before providing care. Furthermore, she warned that undocumented migrants without identification cards should never enter public facilities for healthcare services.
Operation Dudula argues that undocumented migrants strain limited public healthcare services, diverting essential resources from citizens who urgently need medical assistance. The group’s stance at Lillian Ngoyi Clinic has sparked fierce debate over healthcare services access and immigration enforcement in South Africa.
Dabula maintained that Operation Dudula will intensify clinic inspections, ensuring identification cards are checked and undocumented migrants removed before receiving healthcare services.
Critics, on the other hand, have accused Operation Dudula of promoting xenophobia. But Dabula asserted that their operation aims to protect public healthcare services. Supporters of Operation Dudula say prioritizing citizens will safeguard limited healthcare services for South Africa’s most vulnerable.
Despite warnings, Operation Dudula remains committed to its controversial campaign. The members have vowed continued action against undocumented migrants using public healthcare services nationwide.
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