There are growing claims that members of Operation Dudula continue to block foreign nationals from accessing healthcare at Johannesburg clinics, despite a Gauteng High Court order prohibiting the practice.
According to GroundUp, several immigrants say they have been denied access to treatment at clinics across the city.
They claim Operation Dudula members, sometimes working with or pressuring clinic staff, are screening patients at the gates and refusing entry to foreign nationals.
Several Clinics Reported Turning Foreign Nationals Away
GroundUp visited four clinics last week to assess the situation.
People enforcing what they called “community rules” stood at the entrances of the facilities, checked IDs, and blocked foreign nationals from entering.
At one facility, staff followed Kudzai inside and ordered her out after she failed to present a South African ID.
Two security guards joined in, raising their voices as they forced her to leave.
At a third site, two women in reflective vests told arriving patients that foreign nationals should go to a private low-cost clinic or to pharmacies instead.
Court Order and Ongoing Complaints
Earlier this month, the Gauteng High Court interdicted Operation Dudula from demanding IDs or blocking foreign nationals from entering clinics.
The order followed an urgent application by Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia (KAAX), the South African Informal Traders Forum, the Inner City Federation, and Abahlali BaseMjondolo.
Operation Dudula Leader Does Not Answer Questions
When asked about the reports, Operation Dudula leader Zandile Dabula did not answer the questions directly.
Dabula suggested the people involved might be “ordinary citizens”. She would not say whether her organisation had informed members about the court order.
She did not respond to follow-up questions either.
Health Department Warns Operation Dudula Blocking Patients Is Illegal
National Department of Health spokesperson Foster Mohale said the department is not aware of Operation Dudula’s current actions at clinics.
“If it is happening, it means they are deliberately breaking the law and undermining the court ruling, which is a serious offence,” he said.
Mohale said the department needs evidence showing that clinic staff are denying treatment to people without IDs. Including those on ARVs, so it can act against those involved.
He urged anyone who witnesses such incidents to report them to the police.
