ActionSA has come out strongly against what it calls the “continued abuse” of South African healthcare facilities by foreign nationals in the country illegally.

The party was responding to a statement by the South African Human Rights Commission, which had affirmed the right of everyone – including undocumented migrants – to access healthcare in the country.

There had been a spate of demonstrations outside hospitals, which had sought to block undocumented migrants from entry.

ActionSA said that it reaffirmed “our firm rejection of the continued abuse of South Africa’s public healthcare system by illegal foreign nationals. Through the misapplication of Section 27 of the Constitution, access to healthcare has been inappropriately extended in a manner that places immense pressure on an already overburdened system.”

It noted that it had proposed constitutional amendments to prevent this in future. It said that the constitution had been “weaponised” to grant access to people who were not entitled to the country’s services.

It continued: “ActionSA’s proposals are rooted in our belief that while the noble intentions of our Constitution must be preserved, its interpretation must not compromise the rights of law-abiding South Africans or facilitate the misuse of state resources.

“No South African can enter another country legally without providing proof of medical insurance. This is because responsible governments do not budget to provide public services to foreign nationals without limits. Yet in South Africa, we are expected to carry this burden indefinitely. And while the SAHRC finds time to fight on behalf of illegal foreigners, we are yet to see them join our fight for justice for the Lily Mine families.”

In particular, ActionSA expressed concern about the abuse of Section 27, which guarantees rights to social services.

“It is unconscionable that a public clinic in Johannesburg can report that over 70% of its patient records belong to foreign nationals. South Africa’s Constitution must reflect the reality of our limited capacity and place the wellbeing of its citizens at the centre,” the party said.

[Image: Sasin Tipchai from Pixabay]


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