SA: Zimbabwe must build its own hospitals – says ANC as it backs Dr Phophi

By SABC and Own Correspondent

SOUTH AFRICA: The ruling African National Congress (ANC) in Limpopo province says it supports Premier Phophi Ramathuba in her case with the Health Professional Council of South Africa.

Ramathuba is expected to appear before the HPCSA council on Thursday and Friday.

The hearing relates to the 2022 utterances to a patient who came from Zimbabwe at Bela-Bela Hospital.

In a viral video, Ramathuba told the patient that Zimbabwe does not assist with money to care for its nationals being treated in Limpopo hospitals.

She said in part: “You speak Shona. Then how do you find yourself in Bela Bela when you are supposed to be with Mnangagwa [President of Zimbabwe]? You know he doesn’t give money to me to operate you guys and I am operating on you with my limited budget.

“Now I am here instead of using the budget for what it is meant for I am operating for what Mnangagwa is supposed to do. That is why when my people of Limpopo want health services, they can’t get it and that is angering the community. Because you are coming here…”

Ramathuba was Health Member of the Executive Council (MEC) at the time.

The HPCSA was not available to comment on the case.

ANC Provincial Secretary Reuben Madadzhe says the HPCSA is venturing into politics.

“We support comrade Phophi. We support the premier,” he said.

“Every state must look after its citizens. Zimbabwe must also build its own hospitals to serve its people that council is now entering a political space. We don’t see anything wrong with regard to that.

“To say that if you’re a state like Zimbabwe, you must take care of your citizens; what is wrong about that?”

The HPCSA’s inquiry into Ramathuba began on Monday after her legal bid to halt the proceedings was unsuccessful.

Ramathuba had approached the court to challenge preliminary findings of the HPCSA committee in February 2023 that “There is evidence of unprofessional conduct on Dr Ramathuba in terms of Regulation 4(9) of regulations relating to the conduct of inquiries into alleged unprofessional conduct under the Health Professions Act.”

She argued in Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, that her comments were made in her role as MEC, not as a doctor, and that the HPCSA had no jurisdiction over her in this case.

She also argued that the finding of the preliminary committee of inquiry infringed her Constitutional rights, including her right to equality, freedom of expression, political right to participate in political activities of the political party of her choice, the right to fair administrative action and the right of access to the court.

The court dismissed Ramathuba’s application with costs, saying she had maintained her registration as a doctor in terms of the Health Professions Act.

“It is not in issue that the applicant has at all material times been registered as a health professional and remains so.

“The HPCSA is the custos morum of the medical profession and also ‘the guardian of the public interest insofar as members of the public are affected by the conduct of members of the profession’,” said Judge Anthony Millar at the time.