A LOW turnout in supporters failed to stop the Operation Dudula march, from King Dinizulu Park to the offices of the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) on Margaret Mncadi Avenue this morning, where they were calling for the stemming of illegal migration.

Accompanied by Metro Police and SAPS, the less than 100 protesters made their way via Dr Pixley kaSeme Street to the SAHRC where they handed over a memorandum demanding that the Chapter Nine institution “puts South Africans first”.

Sikhulile Blose from the civic organisation said that the aim of the march was to call on the SAHRC to prioritise the rights of South Africans over foreign nationals, when it comes to healthcare. Operation Dudula is aggrieved at the statement issued by the SAHRC on July 2, titled “Who is entitled to access healthcare in South Africa?”

The statement was in response to the ongoing March and March campaign at the gates of Addington Hospital where activists are turning away foreign nationals and asking them to go to private clinics and hospitals.

@caxtonlocalmedia Less than 100 protesters, but a loud message: “Put South Africans first.” Operation Dudula marches to SAHRC over illegal migration and healthcare rights. 💬 Do you agree or disagree with their demands? Let’s talk in the comments. #OperationDudula #DurbanNews #SAHRC #HealthcareRights #BereaMail #TikTokNews ♬ original sound – caxtonlocalmedia

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

In the statement the SAHRC said they were “deeply concerned by reports of healthcare facilities that deny treatment to individuals on the basis of nationality or documentation status. Such practices are not only unethical and unlawful but also inconsistent with South Africa’s obligations under both domestic and international human rights law”.

It added, “Section 27(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, clearly states that: Everyone has the right to have access to healthcare services, including reproductive healthcare. This constitutional provision means that all people in South Africa, regardless of nationality, legal status, race, gender, age, income level, or geographic location, are entitled to access basic healthcare services. The Constitution does not qualify or limit this right based on immigration status or citizenship.”

According to Blose and Operation Dudula, this interpretation of the Constitution is incorrect and sidelines South Africans. “They must not misinterpret the Constitution and put illegal immigrants and foreign nationals before South Africans,” he said. “We, as Operation Dudula, believe that South Africans have first rights to healthcare facilities and foreign nationals must go to private clinics. We want the SAHRC to recognise us and fight for us, rather than foreign nationals. South Africans cannot go without the government healthcare facilities which are overrun by foreign nationals. The Department of Health has failed us when it comes to this and the SAHRC should be fighting for our people.”

This view was supported by members of March and March. “We should not have to be fighting to put South Africans first,” said March and March Durban leader, Teresa Nortje. “We will not keep quiet and let this overburdening of the healthcare system continue.”

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