With public hospitals in South Africa reportedly turning away foreign nationals, many Zimbabweans needing healthcare in SA hoped their government might intervene.
But Zimbabwe’s Minister of Justice, Ziyambi Ziyambi, has made it clear that won’t happen.
Minister’s message to Zimbabweans in SA
A member of Parliament (MP) in Zimbabwe asked him about the government’s plans to help citizens blocked from South African hospitals.
“They are being denied health services,” the MP argued. “What is the government doing to ensure Zimbabwean citizens in South Africa can access healthcare? That’s the answer we want…”
But Ziyambi’s response left little room for hope. He stated bluntly that the Zimbabwean government’s limited budget could barely sustain those within its borders, let alone those who had emigrated.
“We can barely afford to help those in Zimbabwe,” he responded.
You are on your own, says Ziyambi
Ziyambi said his government could not look for people outside the country to assist them.
He insisted that Zimbabweans abroad left of their own will, mostly for work, and must now follow the laws and systems of their host countries.
“Even if a South African is in Zimbabwe, their government doesn’t fund their treatment here.”
Illegal foreigners, some from Zimbabwe, turned away from SA hospitals
Groups such as Operation Dudula have allegedly been at the forefront of mobilising citizens to block illegal foreigners in hospitals.
They argue that South Africans should be put first.
The groups also say that the immigrants should pay for the services they access.
Last week, Health MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko told TV news channel Newzroom Afrika that it was painful that people are being blocked from accessing healthcare services, and she did not agree with it.
Do you think governments should support their citizens abroad in times of crisis?
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