Kalafong hospital distances itself from Operation Dudula
“What they do outside the hospital is out of our control; however, we can ensure the community that we are here to serve regardless.”
Senior officials at Kalafong hospital have condemned the recent continuous protests by Operation Dudula outside the building’s entrance.
Operation Dudula organised a protest outside the hospital in Atteridgeville earlier this month and has since still gathered regularly outside the clinic over a range of issues.
Operation Dudula is a movement founded in Soweto last year that seeks to remove immigrants from South Africa.
The Dudula protestors outside Kalafong hospital have been calling for the hospital to not treat or accept patients that are foreign nationals and to give preferences for treatment as well as employment to South Africans among other demands.
Puleng Tau, chairperson of Operation Dudula in Atteridgeville, claimed that Kalafong higher-ups met with the movement and said they were permitted to demonstrate outside the clinic’s premises.
Kalafong CEO Dr Sello Matjila, however, has distanced himself and the hospital from Dudula and insists that they are in no way affiliated or in agreement with the group’s actions.
“We took an oath as medical practitioners to help. So we can’t agree with what they are saying. We take all patients, no matter their nationality, gender, religion, or age,” Matjila said.
According to the hospital, a meeting with Operation Dudula was held but the group asked to demonstrate inside the premises. After that request was rejected, a compromise was reached to permit the group space to protest outside the hospital as the hospital does not own the public grounds.
Kalafong communications officer Hlegani Makhuvele has confirmed that the hospital was taking steps to address Operation Dudula’s actions outside the hospital.
“We are completing a court interdict. We are also in contact with the Human Rights Commission to address Operation Dudula’s protest actions. We want to assure residents and our partners that Operation Dudula’s views do not reflect those of the hospitals and we will never turn anyone away seeking treatment,” Makhuvele said.
Kalafong continuously dispatches police officials to monitor Dudula’s activities and ensure that everyone is safe.
“We are just mere healthcare workers; we can’t be involved in the political issues Dudula is concerned with and we also don’t want the community to think we called them here.
“What they do outside the hospital is out of our control; however, we can ensure the community that we are here to serve regardless,” Matjila concluded.
- READ MORE: Kalafong hospital management in spotlight
- Operation Dudula protest outside Kalafong hospital
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