The President of the Nigerian Union South Africa (NUSA), Smart Nwobi, has raised alarm over the rising number of Nigerian deaths in South Africa following a ban by anti-migrant activists preventing foreigners from accessing public hospitals.
In an interview with Sunday PUNCH, Nwobi described the situation as “appalling and unlawful,” stressing that the action—led by the controversial group Operation Dudula—directly violates Section 27 of South Africa’s 1996 Constitution, which guarantees healthcare access for all residents without discrimination.
“People are dying daily because they can no longer go to hospitals. Nigerians are afraid of seeking treatment for fear of being assaulted or chased out. Many have resorted to self-medication, which is worsening the crisis,” he said.
Illegal Barriers to Care
According to Nwobi, Operation Dudula members station themselves at health facilities, demanding identification cards from patients. Those unable to present a South African Green ID card are turned away—even in emergencies. He noted that the policy also affects undocumented South Africans, making the act “not only xenophobic but indiscriminate.”
South Africa’s Minister of Health, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, has condemned the practice, insisting that doctors cannot legally refuse patients regardless of nationality. He argued that if anti-migrant activists wanted such a policy, it must first be passed into law by Parliament.
“By their oath, doctors cannot deny medical care. What these groups are doing is simply illegal,” Motsoaledi said.
Impact on Nigerians
Nwobi explained that Nigerians, some of whom are naturalised South African citizens, have been disproportionately targeted. With public hospitals increasingly inaccessible, many now depend on expensive private clinics or NUSA-organised outreach programmes that offer free basic care through volunteer doctors.
He warned that Operation Dudula’s campaign is expanding beyond healthcare.
“They have threatened to move into schools next year, barring children of foreigners from public education, even though such schools are not entirely free and migrants pay fees,” he revealed.
Diplomatic Silence
NUSA has petitioned the Nigerian Consulate and Embassy for intervention but says little has been done.
“We are calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene urgently. Nigerians cannot continue dying in silence,” Nwobi appealed, noting that the issue may surface during the upcoming G-20 summit in South Africa.
Wider Lessons for Africa
Nwobi emphasised that xenophobic attacks are symptoms of broader governance failures across Africa.
“If African governments fixed their economies, there would be less migration and less hostility. Instead, we see Africans turning against fellow Africans—black against black,” he said.
With an estimated 800,000 Nigerians living in South Africa, Nwobi urged stronger collaboration between migrant unions, civil rights groups, and diplomatic channels to protect vulnerable communities until a lasting solution is found.
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