Gauteng police remove protesters demanding IDs at Crown Gardens Clinic
Johannesburg police intervene as protesters challenge immigration practices.
Image: March and March/Facebook
Police in a Johannesburg, Gauteng clinic have intervened to remove individuals who were demanding that all those who were seeking to enter the health facility show identification and stop illegal immigrants from gaining entry.
Nearly a dozen police officers descended onto the Crown Gardens Clinic and dispersed those who were manning the gate.
Gauteng Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo told IOL that the duty of the police is to maintain public order.
"That's why members of our Public Order Policing were dispersed there. It was to make sure that the people's rights were not violated," Masondo said.
March and March Movement founder Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma questioned the police's motivations and accused them of betraying South African citizens.
"We need answers from the police! Why were their members helping illegal immigrants? It is against the law for anyone, including the police, to aid illegal immigrants as per the Immigration Act.
"Any police officer doing that is breaking the law! Please tell the police that maybe they don't know! South Africans open a case against them if they help any illegal immigrant." Ngobese-Zuma said.
Masondo responded to the accusation by saying members of the organisation must open a case if they believe the police acted wrongly. He added that police may go to other health institutions where this is taking place if the facilities report.
"If people at the hospital complain, or South Africans or immigrants who are stopped at the entrances, we will go. Whoever comes to us, we will respond," he added.
Nationally, the Department of Health has condemned the movement's actions.
Spokesperson Foster Mohale called on protesters to raise concerns 'within the confines of the law,' warning that the protests endanger lives and violate the Constitution and National Health Act.
"There's a difference between being concerned and taking the law into your own hands," Mohale said. "Everyone has the right to emergency and primary care."
IOL News