Court rules against SAHRC in application against March and March, Operation Dudula

IN A significant blow to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), the Durban High Court has rejected its urgent application against anti-immigrant groups policing hospital access.

- NOMONDE ZONDI

The court struck the matter off the roll on Friday, ruling it not urgent despite claims that foreign nationals were being denied critical healthcare.

SAHRC filed an urgent application asking the court to stop several parties from blocking people’s access to healthcare services, especially at Addington Hospital. These parties included two organisations (March and March movement and Operation Dudula), government officials (the Health Minister, KwaZulu-Natal’s Health MEC, Addington Hospital's CEO, and the Home Affairs Minister), and individuals like Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, who founded the March and March movement.

Additionally, the SAHRC wanted the court to direct the station commander of Point police station, the CEO of Addington Hospital, and the MEC of Health in KZN to maintain public order, to protect and secure the right of persons seeking to access healthcare services at any healthcare facility.

The application also sought to prevent Dudula and March and March from demanding that any private person produce their identity document, passport, or any document demonstrating their right to be in the country.