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Operation Dudula to Zanu-PF, ‘Fix Your Own Healthcare First’
A cross-border war of words
The debate over foreign nationals and healthcare in South Africa has flared up once again. Operation Dudula leader Zandile Dabula has responded fiercely to criticism from Zimbabwe’s ruling party, Zanu-PF, after it condemned the movement’s stance on migrants paying for medical treatment.
What triggered the clash
Zanu-PF’s director of information, Farai Marapira, accused Operation Dudula of betraying African unity and reviving colonial-era divisions by insisting that Africans cannot be “foreigners” on their own continent. He argued that healthcare is a basic human right that should not be restricted.
Operation Dudula disagrees. The movement has long argued that South Africa’s Constitution and immigration laws give clear guidance on how the country should manage foreign nationals, especially in public services. Dabula stressed that the group is not calling for an outright denial of healthcare, but for migrants to pay for treatment at public hospitals or turn to private care.
Dabula’s fiery response
In an interview, Dabula dismissed Marapira’s remarks as unfounded and called on Zimbabwe’s leadership to focus on fixing their own health system. She accused Zanu-PF of failing its citizens, saying millions of Zimbabweans are forced to leave home for opportunities in South Africa and beyond.
“They are sitting with land and not using it. That is why Zimbabweans are flooding into South Africa, taking spaces in our jobs, our schools, and our services,” she said. Dabula also challenged official estimates of one million Zimbabweans in South Africa, insisting the real number is far higher.
The bigger picture
Dabula argued that the cosy ties between Zanu-PF and the ANC are a warning sign for South Africa, suggesting the country risks sliding into similar governance failures. She said Operation Dudula will continue to campaign for the prioritisation of South Africans in jobs, education, and healthcare.
The movement’s hardline stance has divided public opinion. Supporters see it as protecting already stretched public resources, while critics argue it promotes xenophobia and undermines the principle of Ubuntu.
Why it matters
The exchange between Operation Dudula and Zanu-PF underscores South Africa’s struggle to balance compassion with capacity. With strained healthcare systems, high unemployment, and migration pressures, the debate is as much about politics as it is about hospitals.
For now, Operation Dudula’s message is clear: South Africa’s services must be protected for its citizens, and neighbouring governments should address their own crises before criticising Pretoria.
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: OpenText
