Anti-migrant activists affiliated with South Africans First, led by Victoria African, have reportedly driven expatriates from a public hospital in Johannesburg, directing health officials to stabilize patients and discharge them immediately.
The incident comes amid a wave of anti-migrant agitation, with reports of threats against African expatriates to evacuate, as well as assaults and attacks on documented migrants.
In a viral video circulating on social media, activists are seen confronting foreign nationals at a public hospital and ordering them to leave, insisting that migrants seeking medical care should instead access private healthcare facilities.
The actions of the agitators appear to contravene provisions of Immigration Act No. 13 of 2002, particularly Section 17, which governs medical treatment visas for foreign nationals requiring extended healthcare. While the law regulates long-term medical stays, it does not restrict migrants from accessing public healthcare facilities, especially in cases of emergency or essential medical services.
In one instance captured in the video, members of the group confronted a Democratic Republic of the Congo national, demanding that he vacate the hospital regardless of his documentation status. The individual was reportedly told he could not remain in South Africa to seek refuge and was advised to leave the country.
On the contrary, only authorised state institutions, including the South African Department of Home Affairs and law enforcement agencies, have the mandate to enforce immigration laws. Civilian groups demanding identification or attempting to remove individuals from public facilities are widely viewed as overstepping legal boundaries.
The situation is expected to draw diplomatic attention, with Cyril Ramaphosa’s administration anticipated to brief African ambassadors on the developments. The move comes as foreign ministers across the continent reportedly engage in consultations to ensure the safety of their nationals in Johannesburg.
The unlawful act is copiously frowned on in a ruling by the Johannesburg High Court in November 2025, which ordered anti-migrant groups to cease harassing or obstructing individuals seeking access to healthcare services. Despite the court directive, ongoing tensions highlight a persistent gap between legal protections and developments on the ground.
Healthcare professionals have further raised concerns over the public health implications of denying migrants access to treatment. Experts warn that restricting healthcare services could accelerate the spread of communicable diseases such as HIV, Tuberculosis, Mpox, and Measles.
Story by: Francis Sowah
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