The chaotic stand-off this week as foreign nationals seeking medical care confronted Operation Dudula supporters trying to deny them access to a Johannesburg clinic is gravely concerning.
It was a tense stand-off. Both parties called in reinforcements, some brandishing weapons in public such as knobkerries and golf clubs. It could have ended in bloodshed. If left unchecked, it might very well one day happen.
In addition, Dudula’s activities place lives at risk. Only this week, Malawian national Grace Banda, 21, lost her one-year-old son after allegedly being denied access to a health facility in Alexandra, Johannesburg. In some instances, nurses reportedly turned away documented foreigners.
While Dudula’s actions must be condemned for their illegality, this is not only a law- enforcement problem. A viable solution lies in addressing the underlying causes
It's astounding that these illegal "blockades" happen daily across the country with scant sign of police intervention, arrests or prosecutions. And now the campaign is targeting schools.
The government can no longer make impassioned pleas for citizens to respect the law yet allow self-appointed vigilantes with no legal authority to interrogate, harass and threaten foreign nationals.
While Dudula’s actions must be condemned for their illegality, this is not only a law- enforcement problem. A viable solution lies in addressing the underlying causes, which include a shortage of resources in health care and education, especially in underprivileged communities.
Even as we strive to uphold a human rights culture in South Africa, we cannot lose sight of the fact that the country does not have unlimited resources to cater for the needs of everyone in the country, including increasing numbers of those who are here illegally.
The government must more seriously take its duty to stem the relatively easy, illegal movement of people across our borders, which not only puts pressure on public resources but also poses a social and national security risk.
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