Limpopo health MEC Dr Phophi Ramathuba came under fire this week for her comments directed at a hospital patient. File photo.
Image: Antonio Muchave
Limpopo health MEC Phophi Ramathuba continues to make headlines after claiming migrants are placing a strain on the province’s healthcare system.
Ramathuba was caught on video telling a foreign hospital patient the provincial health department is not a charity organisation.
Her statement angered many, including the DA and EFF, who called it xenophobic.
According to News24, the department of international relations & co-operation (Dirco) said it would not get involved.
Spokesperson Clayson Monyela said Ramathuba’s outburst was not yet “a diplomatic incident”.
“If Zimbabwe was to raise the incident through diplomatic channels, only then would Dirco become involved. So far, it’s not a diplomatic incident. It has not been elevated,” he said.
He also suggested the outburst was not xenophobic, saying: “You guys need to revisit the meaning of the word xenophobia. It’s ridiculous how you misuse and abuse it.”
Here are five other outbursts by Ramathuba that made headlines:
‘Open your books and close your legs
Earlier this year, Ramathuba was criticised on social media after a video emerged of her advising schoolgirls to “open your books and close your legs”.
Ramathuba made the comments during a visit to Gwenane Secondary School in Sekgakgapeng to monitor the first day of the new academic year.
“To the girl child, I say: Open your books, and close your legs. Don’t open your legs, open your books,” she said.
Amid backlash, Ramathuba told TshisaLIVE critics used the video clip out of context and chose to be ignorant about the factors that make teenage pregnancy a problem in rural areas and townships.