The office of South Africa’s Public Protector, Kholeka Gcaleka, has firmly denied holding any discussions with the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) about Zimbabweans being refused healthcare services in the country. Despite recent media reports, the Public Protector confirms that no related complaint has reached the office.
Public Protector Denies Talks With ZHRC — Clarifying The Situation
The statement from the Public Protector explains that the last interaction with the ZHRC happened during September 2024 benchmarking visit. That engagement focused on service delivery and anti-corruption initiatives, with no reference to healthcare access or treatment denial.
While informal exchanges covered healthcare system comparisons, they never mentioned discrimination against Zimbabwean patients. The PPSA confirmed it has not received any official complaint from the ZHRC on this issue.
ZHRC’s Claims Challenged
ZHRC chair Jessie Majome had previously suggested that a formal engagement took place between the two institutions regarding denied healthcare services for Zimbabweans. The Public Protector’s office rejected this claim, stating it does not reflect the actual nature of their interaction.
Instead, the PPSA said it only shared documents related to institutional operations and governance—not complaints about access to healthcare or patient discrimination.
Broader Context of Migrant Healthcare Access
This clarification comes amid heightened debate about healthcare rights for Zimbabwean nationals in South Africa. Public concern continues to grow, particularly in light of statements from groups like Operation Dudula.
While civil society organisations call for better protection of migrants’ rights, the Public Protector emphasises the absence of any formal complaint. Both offices may consider releasing a joint statement to clarify their positions further.
