Phophi Ramathuba Wants to Bill Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa for Illegal Patients in SA Hospitals

• Limpopo Health MEC Phophi Ramathuba recently suggested that the South African health department is planning to send a bill to Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa
• The MEC made waves when a video of her scolding a Zimbabwean patient for overburdening the hospitals was recorded talking to another patient from the neighbouring country
• She said the bill of services offered to illegal immigrants, including operations and childbirth, will be sent to their government

The MEC for Limpopo Health, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, is not going back on her stance on foreign nationals being a burden to the country's health department.

The MEC who caused a stir when she was recorded telling a patient from neighbouring Zimbabwe that they were straining the resources meant for South Africans was once again recorded scolding another patient from Zimbabwe.

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According to IOL, Ramathuba, who was talking to a patient in Mokopane, said she was planning on billing the Zimbabwean president. She said the Limpopo government would bill the Zimbabwean President for their citizens receiving health care in South Africa. She said:

"There are pregnant women with Zimbabwean medical cards that are written that the place of delivery is South Africa. We are midwives and doctors and we cannot turn away pregnant women. They are not the ones who made Mnangagwa president, but I will send the bill. He must pay me."

TimesLIVE reports that Health Minister Joe Phaahla shared the same sentiments saying that the government is considering sending bills to neighbouring countries. He said:

"There have been suggestions and acknowledgment that the issue of additional services from neighbours does add additional pressure and that we must find ways to deal with it, including possibilities of contributions for some of the services by the governments of the neighbouring countries."

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Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula opens Musina ring road for trade & economic development – “That’s beautiful”

Briefly News also reported that Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula officially unveiled the new section of the Musina ring road in Limpopo on Thursday, 1 September. The newly opened section of the road will allow more trade and economic activity between South Africa and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries.

The project cost R700 million and created a boost in economic opportunities for the community it surrounds. Speaking at the launch, Mbalula said the road would facilitate the free flow of traffic with the Beitbridge border for better mobility and safe movement of goods.

“It has been a long journey to get to this point; work began on this project in 2016 and had to restart after the original contractor experienced test flow issues. I am pleased that we have been able to complete this project,” said Mbalula.

Source: Briefly News