Phaahla, Operation Dudula agree to further talks over Kalafong hospital concerns
After meeting with the regional and national leadership of Operation Dudula at Kalafong hospital in Tshwane, Health Minister Joe Phaahla says he’s noted the concerns raised by the group over the high patient load, long queues, and allegations of corruption at the facility.
Phaahla visited the Atteridgeville hospital to assess the impact of the month-long anti-migrant demonstrations on health services.
In a video statement on Thursday, the Minister says they agreed on having further engagements at the level of the hospital and the office of the Gauteng Health MEC Nomathemba Mokgethi to resolve the issues without the daily pickets outside the facility, that turned violent on Wednesday and Thursday.
“We have agreed that these are matters which are very important that we can address without any need for picketing and demonstrations. So, on the basis of that we have agreed on the process of engagement,” Phaahla said.
WATCH: Violence breaks outside #KalafongHospital pic.twitter.com/17fOgpXVpk
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Prior to the meeting, the EFF’s Philip Makwala said Phaahla has failed economic immigrants and asylum seekers in the country. Makwala added that he didn’t expect anything tangible to come out of the minister’s visit to Kalafong.
“How sub-human can we be to treat our own people like this when we deny them access to healthcare? This has been happening for more than three weeks and they haven’t done anything,” he said.
Meanwhile, Operation Dudula members have vowed to lay criminal complaints against members of the EFF who they accuse of triggering the violence outside the hospital entrance.
Following the meeting with the minister, the group is expected to suspend its demonstrations.
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