Anti-migrant group hits Addington Hospital

HOSPITALS today, schools and spaza shops are next.

- WENDY JASSON DA COSTA

That's the warning from a group of illegal enforcers determined to drive foreigners out of the country.

As anti-foreigner sentiment sweeps across Durban and Johannesburg, they've warned that their campaign will reach other provinces as well.

For the past six weeks, the group known as March and March has been stationed outside Addington Hospital, blocking access to anyone they suspect is not South African. Those who are must provide an ID before they can enter the facility, and even then, it’s subject to the group’s discretion, the Independent on Saturday was told this week.

Teresa Nortje, the group's KZN representative, claims foreigners are overburdening public facilities meant for local citizens. She says their “research,” conducted while blocking entrances, shows that at least 75% of patients receiving treatment at Addington are in the country illegally. Refugees and asylum seekers are also turned away, while foreigners who are legally in South Africa, she says, must access private health care facilities.

“All foreign nationals are being stopped here until the government comes out and fixes the Constitution. It says everyone can get medical help at this hospital, but ‘everyone’ should mean South African citizens. If you're a foreigner, go to a private hospital. You've got work permits, visas, medical insurance. You shouldn’t come here with nothing, no job, and expect us, the taxpayers, to pay for your medicine.”

Nortje says their group includes members of Operation Dudula, a prominent anti-foreigner movement, and that they also enjoy support from what she calls “progressive forces,” including various organisations and political parties.