Limpopo Health MEC Dr Phophi Ramathuba is the subject of an intense debate on social media after a video surfaced showing her berating a Zimbabwean patient.
Limpopo Health MEC slams Zimbabwean patient
During an oversight visit to one of Limpopo’s public healthcare facilities, Ramathuba encountered a sickly patient. In the video clip that has since gone viral, the health MEC introduces herself in Setswana.
When the patient identified herself as a Shona speaker, things immediately went awry,
Ramathuba, without ascertaining the patient’s status, went on a harangue about how Zimbabweans abuse free access to public healthcare, much to the detriment of more than 91% of South Africans living in Limpopo without medical aid coverage.
“You’re supposed to be with Mnangagwa, he doesn’t give me money to operate you guys. Now I must operate you with my limited budget. When you guys are sick, you decide to cross into Limpopo. That embassy in South Africa is a charity department, that’s what gets said.” she said.
Ramathuba, after delivering hard truths to the sickly patient about the state of illegal immigration in South Africa and its impact on the public healthcare system, informed the unidentified patient that they would not be discharged from the hospital until they’d settled their bill, irrevocably making it clear that the Limpopo government was not going to absorb the cost of operating a foreign national.
“This is exactly why, when the people of Limpopo want access to health systems, they cannot get it. That is angering the community. You guys aren’t even registered here, you are not counted, some are illegals. It’s unfair. I cannot go to Zimbabwe and get help.” the MEC added.
Here is the video clip that has since gone viral:
Reactions to Dr Phophi Ramathuna’s comments
Naturally, Dr Ramathuba’s polarising rant divided opinion on social media, with the majority arguing for the health MEC’s sentiments on immigration in South Africa.
The likes of Redi Tlhabi, however, stood on the other side of the argument. The investigative journalist courted backlash for criticising Ramathuba’s comments about Zimbabweans.
EFF deputy president Floyd Shivambu also chimed in with his criticism, describing Dr Ramathuba’s comments as “unfair abuse and discrimination.”
Here are more reactions to Dr Ramathuba’s viral speech: