THE KZN Department of Health has condemned the “abuse of public health services and unlawful acts of vigilantism” in relation to the ongoing protest outside Addington Hospital.

Since the start of July, the members of the March and March movement have been stationed at the gates of the hospital, checking the identity document of people entering the government healthcare facility. Teresa Nortje, March and March Durban leader, said that they were assisting government and healthcare workers at the South Beach-based hospital which is “overwhelmed by foreign nationals”.

“We are enforcing Section 17 of the South African Constitution,” said Nortje. “If you want to use the clinic, you need to be a South African citizen and a valid taxpayer.” Non-South Africans are turned away and denied entry to hospital. In a statement, the department condemned this along with “the actions of individuals and organised groups who take the law into their own hands by targeting health facilities and obstructing access to services”.

According to KZN Health, “As much as the Department expresses concern over the undue burden placed on the system by undocumented migrants, we strongly reject unlawful actions that prevent any sick individual from receiving medical assistance. No member of the public or structure has the legal or moral authority to block others from accessing healthcare. These illegal actions are not only unconstitutional, but they also pose a serious risk to public health.”

Also Read: WATCH: Foreign nationals stopped from entering Addington Hospital Gateway Clinic

In the same statement the department also addressed the issue of undocumented foreign nationals. “We unequivocally condemn undocumented foreign nationals who unlawfully cross into South Africa with the sole intention of unduly accessing our public health services. While our health institutions remain committed to upholding basic human rights and ethical healthcare standards, the increasing and unauthorised influx of undocumented individuals continues to place significant pressure on our already strained and underfunded public health system.”

Meanwhile, there have been mixed reactions to the movement’s protest with some calling the campaign inhumane while others supported the cause. Crispin Hemson, a Durban resident who went to Addington Hospital on Thursday morning, said that he was appalled at being asked for his ID by members of the movement.

He said, “At the entrance my way was obstructed by unidentified people who were asking people for their IDs. I asked them what gave them the right to do this, and they said they were not allowing through foreigners, and that they can do this because Section 17 of the Constitution prohibits foreigners from using public hospitals. In reality, the Constitution does not state this at all. As you know, Section 17 is about the right to peaceful protest and states nothing about health facilities.”

On the other hand, Amanda Khuzwayo who was attending the Gateway clinic, said that she was in and out within two hours. “There used to be long queues and now it’s quiet, this goes to show who was really benefiting from the clinic. It is sad at the same time that people are being turned away but the results of the campaign speak for themselves,” said Khuzwayo.

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