Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission is engaging with South Africa’s Public Protector to find solutions for Zimbabweans accessing healthcare in South Africa. The discussion covers different categories of Zimbabweans, the need for both countries to cooperate, and addressing the root causes by improving healthcare in Zimbabwe. However, Zimbabwe’s Justice Minister has stated that the government will not pay the medical bills of its citizens in South Africa [01:46].
Several groups have been involved in blocking foreign nationals, including Zimbabweans, from accessing healthcare in South Africa.
Operation Dudula: This anti-migrant group has been reported to block foreign nationals from public health facilities, claiming they strain resources. In July 2025, they were reported to be controlling clinic queues and preventing immigrant mothers from getting their children vaccinated at the Jeppe Clinic in Johannesburg. They are also active at Addington Hospital in Durban. The group’s spokesperson, Zandile Dabula, did not respond to requests for comment, but a member, Veli Ngobese, said they are targeting all people from outside the country. A group called March-and-March is also mentioned as having blocked the entrance to a local clinic in Johannesburg.
March-and-March: This group has also been reported to block the entrance to a local clinic in Johannesburg. A representative for the group, Teresa Nortje, stated that they are a movement that is guarding various public hospital and clinic entrances and aggressively denying entry to anyone who is not South African. The group was founded on Facebook by radio personality Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma.
