SAHRC criticises government for inaction against vigilante groups blocking healthcare

THE South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has accused the government of failing to act against vigilante groups, preventing non-nationals and undocumented individuals from accessing public healthcare facilities across the country.

- MTHOBISI NOZULELA

This follows a Durban High Court decision to strike the Commission’s urgent application off the roll, which sought to stop groups like Operation Dudula and March and March from unlawfully blocking access to hospitals such as Addington.

The court struck the matter off the roll on Friday, ruling that it was not urgent.

Operation Dudula and March and March have consistently accused the government of failing to address South Africa's migration challenges and argue that foreign nationals are placing undue pressure on the country’s public healthcare system. They want foreign nationals to be denied medical care.