South African minister defends xenophobic comments

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa

A South African provincial official has defended her comments that blamed immigrant patients from Zimbabwe for burdening the country’s public health system.

Health Minister, Phophi Ramathuba

The comments came to light after a video surfaced on social media of Health Minister, Phophi Ramathuba, chastising a Zimbabwean patient scheduled for surgery.

“You’re supposed to be with Mnangagwa (Zimbabwe’s president). He doesn’t give me money to operate you guys. I’m operating you with my limited budget… you are killing my health system.” She was filmed saying.

In her defense, the minister said it was her responsibility to stand up for South Africans who depend on the public health system.

“When it is hijacked, it is again defeating the very same last hope that a child of a domestic worker would be operated and go back to school.” Ms Ramathuba said.

The minister said long queues for surgeries were delaying services for poor South Africans.

The Zimbabwean patient was scheduled for surgery after reportedly being involved in an accident hundreds of miles away in her country’s capital, Harare. - BBC