By: Natasha Archary
Limpopo Health MEC, Phophi Ramathuba has sparked xenophobic backlash after she reportedly berated a Zimbabwean national patient.
In a video that has since gone viral, Ramathuba lambasts the patient for putting her budget under constraint, telling the woman illegal foreign nationals such as herself are taking advantage of the country’s resources.
The video has sparked intense xenophobic backlash with the EFF Limpopo condemning the MEC’s conduct with the contempt it deserves.
“Her entire ill-informed and inhumane performance and address to a sick patient awaiting surgery is inconsistent with all standards of patient confidentiality and dignity.
Today it’s Zimbabweans, tomorrow it will be poor unemployed South Africans who will be told they don’t have any contribution to the economy or taxes, thus to the country’s budget but they want to be operated in public hospitals.”
The EFF condemned Limpopo Health MEC, Phophi Ramathuba for her conduct
The video was shared by a community social media page, Community Podium and shows the MEC talking down to the Zimbabwean patient.
“You must go back to Emmerson Mnangagwa, you know he doesn’t give me money to operate you guys. Now I must be expected to operate you with my limited budget? It’s easy for you guys, when you’re sick you just decide to cross into Limpopo. You think I’m running a charity here?
And when the people of Limpopo want to access their healthcare systems, they can’t because you’re eating their budget. That is why they are angry with you guys. Do you even have papers? No. You are illegal here, you are not even counted. It’s unfair. I can’t go to Zimbabwe and get free treatment.”
Phophi Ramathuba, Limpopo Health MEC tells a Zimbabwean patient
WATCH: Limpopo Health MEC Phophi Ramathuba berating a Zimbabwean patient for expecting South Africa to offer medical services that "Mnangagwa must do."#communitydiaries pic.twitter.com/zTadVA4eAy
— Community Podium (@communitypodium) August 23, 2022
Kaya Drive listeners weigh in on the MEC’s actions:
Many listeners felt that the MEC was out of line bringing up these matters with a sick patient who is waiting to receive life-saving surgery.
“This is a woman who
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Limpopo Health MEC, Phophi Ramathuba sparks xenophobic backlash Natasha
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Limpopo Health MEC, Phophi Ramathuba sparks xenophobic backlash Natasha
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Limpopo Health MEC, Phophi Ramathuba sparks xenophobic backlash Natasha
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Limpopo Health MEC, Phophi Ramathuba sparks xenophobic backlash Natasha
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Limpopo Health MEC, Phophi Ramathuba sparks xenophobic backlash Natasha
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Limpopo Health MEC, Phophi Ramathuba sparks xenophobic backlash Natasha
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Limpopo Health MEC, Phophi Ramathuba sparks xenophobic backlash Natasha
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Limpopo Health MEC, Phophi Ramathuba sparks xenophobic backlash Natasha
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Limpopo Health MEC, Phophi Ramathuba sparks xenophobic backlash Natasha
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Limpopo Health MEC, Phophi Ramathuba sparks xenophobic backlash Natasha
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Limpopo Health MEC, Phophi Ramathuba sparks xenophobic backlash Natasha



