By Duncan Mnisi
Pretoria, Gauteng – The Office of the Public Protector South Africa (PPSA) has issued a firm denial regarding claims that it has engaged in discussions with the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) about the alleged denial of healthcare services to Zimbabwean nationals in South Africa.
The PPSA clarified in a statement that it has no record of any complaints from the ZHRC concerning this issue.
The agency expressed surprise at recent media reports suggesting such talks had taken place.
The controversy arose after reports over the weekend claimed that the ZHRC had lodged a formal complaint with the PPSA about the treatment of Zimbabweans at South African health facilities.
These claims gained prominence when ZHRC chairperson Jessie Majome appeared on live television, indicating her organization was working with the Public Protector to address the matter and seeking positive outcomes.
Majome emphasized that while Zimbabweans are expected to abide by SA laws, denying healthcare based on nationality breaches human rights principles. She expressed the ZHRC’s commitment to finding lasting solutions that uphold everyone’s rights.
Contradicting these claims, the PPSA stated that during a benchmarking visit in September 2024, it hosted a delegation from the ZHRC to exchange best practices and discuss shared challenges, including issues related to health service delivery.
The agency clarified that their discussions did not involve or address the denial of healthcare to Zimbabwean nationals.
Furthermore, in October 2024, the PPSA provided documents to the ZHRC to aid in strengthening its investigative capacity—again, unrelated to the issue of healthcare access.
The public spat highlights ongoing tensions surrounding the treatment of foreign nationals in South Africa, especially Zimbabweans.
Groups such as Operation Dudula have staged protests and conducted ID checks at clinics, arguing that migrants strain healthcare resources and disadvantage local residents.
“‘This is so heart-breaking if it’s true,’ one cannot help but say, as reports emerge of a Zimbabwean man allegedly being dragged out of a public hospital by members of the Dudula Movement, with devastating consequences. The image of his young daughter standing before his lifeless body is a stark reminder of the human cost of such actions.”
These actions have sparked accusations of xenophobia and broader societal conflicts over jobs and services.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s government has signaled that it will not cover medical expenses for its citizens in South Africa but reaffirmed the importance of respecting human rights.
The PPSA concluded its statement by reaffirming its commitment to supporting regional institutions like the ZHRC in strengthening Human Rights protections, provided it aligns with international standards and good governance principles.
