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Nigerian Women Forced to Give Birth on Hospital Floors in South Africa
Nigerian Women Forced to Give Birth on Hospital Floors in South Africa Amid Xenophobic Harassment
A disturbing report from South Africa has revealed that some Nigerian women were forced to give birth on bare hospital floors after being denied access to medical care.
According to Saturday PUNCH, members of a group known as Operation Dudula have been blocking foreign nationals, including Nigerians, from accessing public hospitals. In some cases, patients were discharged without treatment, sparking fears of renewed xenophobic violence.
Frank Onyekwelu, President of the Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa, described the situation as “another form of xenophobic attack” specifically targeting foreign nationals. He called on both the Nigerian and South African governments to urgently intervene before the situation escalates further.
Smart Nwobi, President of the Nigerian Union in South Africa, also condemned the harassment. He cited a shocking case where a nursing mother was barred from taking her baby for immunisation. He stressed that Operation Dudula is not an official government body, but a coalition of locals acting outside the law.
Former Nigerian diplomats have also expressed concern over the incidents. Rasheed Akinkuolie, ex-Consul to Cameroon, labelled the actions “illegal and criminal.”
Retired Ambassador Ogbole Amedu-Ode warned that such treatment could strain diplomatic relations and erode African solidarity.
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that African Ambassadors in South Africa are already engaging with the government to find a lasting solution.
As tensions rise, many Nigerians in South Africa fear this could trigger another wave of xenophobic violence, recalling past attacks on foreign nationals in the country.
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