MPs condemn Operation Dudula for blocking suspected foreign nationals from entering health facilities & schools

CAPE TOWN - Parliament's chairpersons on health and education say they won’t allow undocumented people from being blocked from entering health facilities and schools.

They've condemned the actions of Operation Dudula activists who have been preventing suspected foreign nationals from entering hospitals and clinics, and threatening to block the admission of children in the new academic year.

Chairperson of the health committee, Sibongiseni Dhlomo, said while the concerns of limited resources could not be ignored, the National Health Insurance guaranteed free access to care.

Parliament has condemned the actions of Operation Dudula activists, saying it won’t tolerate lawlessness at health facilities and public schools. 

Dhlomo said he'd been discussing with the health minister laws related to citizens, refugees and immigration to determine how to address the concerns raised about foreign nationals accessing government services.

"Some of these acts are very wide and encompassing – what some people in their views are saying, they should actually have a bit of limitation."

Chairperson of the select committee on education, Makhi Feni, said he did not agree with an approach to stop children believed to be those of foreign parents from attending school.

"We are not going to allow anarchy to co-exist with governance."

He’s invited Operation Dudula activists to discuss their concerns with government rather than to threaten drastic action when it can’t be proven at face value whether children have legal documents.