MATABELELAND secessionist political outfit, Mthwakazi Republic Party, on Friday doorstepped South African President Cyril Ramaphosa with a petition seeking an immediate end to barring Zimbabweans from accessing health services in that country.
Radical groups among them, Operation Dudula, have, of late, escalated their raid on public health institutions where they evict and block foreign nationals from accessing medical assistance because the institutions are meant for South African nationals only.
In an interview yesterday, MRP leader Mqondisi Moyo said they submitted the petition at Ramaphosa’s offices in Pretoria.
In the petition titled, Petition for Recognition and Protection of Zimbabwean Nationals in SA, MRP said it was deeply concerned about the treatment of Zimbabwean nationals residing in the neighbouring country.
“We urge your offices to recognise that these individuals are not mere illegal foreigners, but genuine political and economic refugees fleeing severe repression, political persecution and harassment they have endured in Zimbabwe.
“In recent times, the rise of lawless entities such as the Operation Dudula Movement in South Africa, March on March and other vigilante groups has intensified the climate of hostility and violence against these communities.
“These groups, often operating with tacit approval or neglect from the State's immigration, home affairs and police departments, have contributed to a torrid environment for Zimbabweans.”
MRP said a considerable number of citizens fled their homeland due to economic hardships.
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“The plight of the Zimbabwean migrant population in South Africa exposes a profound failure to uphold fundamental human rights.
“As political and economic refugees, they are protected by the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol — rights that are non-negotiable and rooted in human dignity.”
The political outfit said the South African government's inaction was an egregious breach of international law and human rights.
“This reprehensible conduct constitutes a flagrant disregard for the principles of solidarity, compassion, and human dignity.
“The violent assaults perpetrated by these vigilante groups are a clear manifestation of xenophobia, which is a violation of international human rights law.
“The targeting of black foreign nationals by these groups is a form of racial discrimination, which is prohibited under international law.”
It also said there was a lack of accountability for those who caused harm and worsened the problem, violating international law.
“The South African government's inaction in this matter is utterly disgraceful and morally reprehensible. By failing to take decisive action to prevent and punish these crimes, the government is complicit in the perpetuation of xenophobia and racial discrimination,” it said.
