South Africa is not a xenophobic nation - President Ramaphosa
South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa
South Africa is "not a xenophobic nation," President Cyril Ramaphosa has told lawmakers.
Read full articleRamaphosa was answering questions in Parliament when he was asked about a recent incident where a government official blamed migrants for the increasing strain on public health system.
The video of Limpopo Province Health Minister, Dr Phophi Ramathuba lambasting a Zimbabwean patient drew critique on social media.
"You are killing my health system," Dr. Ramathuba was captured in the viral video. The patient in question, who had been in a car accident in neighbouring Zimbabwe, went to South Africa's Limpopo province for treatment.
The president said the health official raised an important issue on how the provision of services is affected by migration but should’ve used a different platform to raise her concerns, the BBC Africa LIVE page reported.
Mr Ramaphosa also said the country’s home affairs department was working to address challenges brought on by migration to ensure that the rule of law was adhered to, the report added.
South Africa has in the last few years experienced bouts of deadly xenophobic violence when disgruntled locals have attacked migrant workers they claim are taking their jobs.
