A group of residents in Atteridgeville, west of Pretoria, has begun protesting outside Kalafong Provincial Tertiary Hospital, blocking foreign nationals from accessing medical care. The protesters, known as “Concern Tshwane Residents” (CTR), claim that undocumented immigrants are overwhelming the public health system and draining resources meant for South African citizens.
The CTR group is demanding that all patients present identification documents at the hospital entrance to prove their nationality before receiving services. They claim that the influx of foreign nationals is putting a strain on the hospital’s resources, with many beds occupied by non-citizens.
However, the Gauteng Department of Health has condemned the protests, emphasizing that healthcare is a constitutional right for all, regardless of nationality or documentation status. Spokesperson Motaletale Modiba stated that the actions of the protesters are unlawful and must be stopped.
The protests have garnered support from other groups, including the Atteridgeville chapter of Operation Dudula, which aims to reclaim public services for South Africans. But the question remains: will the government intervene to resolve the situation, or will the protests continue?
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