Mliswa Says SA's Dr Phophi Ramathuba Must Be Promoted After Zim Patient Saga
Outspoken Norton MP, Temba Mliswa (Independent), has backed South African doctor, Phophi Ramathuba, who is Limpopo Health MEC, saying she doesn’t have to apologise but should rather be promoted for berating a Zimbabwean national.
Ramathuba was recently filmed “consulting” a Zimbabwean woman who was seeking medical treatment in South Africa.
The unnamed patient reportedly underwent surgery at Bela Bela Hospital after being injured in a car accident in Zimbabwe.
Ramathuba told the woman that Zimbabweans are abusing the Limpopo Province’s health system and should seek medical attention from President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government instead.
Posting on Twitter this Monday, Mliswa said Ramathuba simply spoke the truth and should be promoted instead of being reprimanded for her remarks. Said Mliswa:
There is no way Ramathuba should apologise or stand down. She did her job and must actually be promoted.
The patient was treated and was simply told the truth. It would be a different scenario if she had not been treated No country can continue supporting externals.
SA has a budget for its people and we should push for our own leaders to cater for us. We are weak in terms of seeking accountability, fighting corruption etc yet we want to crucify a foreigner for protecting the interests of her country.
Most of the people attacking Ramathuba also attack us when we call out their corrupt party leaders. They defend them because they are “their thieves”. You can’t have it both ways. Carry your cross!
Some South African health professionals have called for Ramathuba to step down but she hit back at her critics over the weekend, saying those calling for her resignation come from the middle class and do not use public hospitals.
