EFF calls for Ramathuba’s removal over alleged xenophobic remarks
LIMPOPO
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the country is calling for the removal of Limpopo Department of Health (LDoH) MEC Dr Phophi Ramathuba, following the remarks she made to a Zimbabwean patient who had just been operated at Bela Bela Hospital.
In a video circulating on various social media platforms, Ramathuba is seen saying: “You’re supposed to be with President Mnangagwa, so far he doesn’t give me money to operate you guys. Now I must operate you with my limited budget.”
EFF National Spokesperson, Sinawo Thambo, said the party is calling for Ramathuba’s removal with immediate effect for inhuman comments she made towards a sickly patient in the hospital.
“The hateful comments, which were in view of individuals who laughed at the merciless shaming of a patient, reveal a shocking hatred for a fellow human being by someone tasked with protecting and saving human life,” he said.
Thambo added that the Afrophobic attack by Ramathuba on a bed-ridden patient is cruel and malicious and has no justification.
“It is a slippery slope because health rights are human rights and to attempt to rationalize the denial of the provision of healthcare on the basis of someone’s nationality, will lead to gross human violations whose logic is pure hatred,” he said.
Thambo said the situation will escalate from denial of healthcare on basis of nationality, to the denial of healthcare on the basis of tribe and provincial origin.
“Ultimately, a denial of healthcare on the basis of one’s contribution to the tax revenue that is meant to ensure that all people are provided with human rights,” explained Thambo.
According to Thambo, the Limpopo Health MEC is a populist who is campaigning to shift the responsibility of a collapsing healthcare sector, degenerating in all spheres of South Africa on so-called foreign nationals.
“We call for the removal of Ramathuba as an MEC, as she clearly violated the integrity of a patient and undermined the Hippocratic Oath, by causing intentional harm and humiliation to a patient. She is unfit to hold that office and must be released to practice her hatred of African people outside the levels of state power,” he said.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Limpopo said it has written to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) for Ramathuba’s unacceptable conduct towards the patient.
“We consider Ramathuba’s comments as xenophobic, inconsistent with standard of treatment that should be afforded to a patient and not in the best interests of well-being of a patient,” said the Risham Maharaj, DA Spokesperson for Health in Limpopo.
Maharaj said the party will file a complaint with the Limpopo Legislature Ethics Committee and the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).
