Dr Phophi Ramathuba, the recently elected premier of Limpopo, is facing charges of unprofessional conduct before the Health Profession Council of South Africa (HPCSA) for a 2022 incident involving a Zimbabwean patient. Ramathuba, who was serving as the MEC for health in the province at the time, was recorded in a viral video confronting the patient in a hospital ward.
In the video, Ramathuba, dressed in doctor’s scrubs, asks the patient in Sepedi what language she speaks. The patient responds that she speaks Shona. Ramathuba then switches to English and questions how the patient ended up in Bela Bela when she was “supposed to be with Mnangagwa,” referring to Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa. She goes on to express frustration about operating on foreigners with limited budget resources and accuses the patient of harming the health system.
This is not the first time Ramathuba has faced scrutiny for this incident. Following the video going viral, a coalition of advocacy organizations filed a complaint with the HPCSA. In January 2023, the Medical and Dentist Professional Boards Committee of the HPCSA found evidence of unprofessional conduct and issued a caution and reprimand. Ramathuba disputed the charges, arguing that the HPCSA lacked jurisdiction and that her actions were relevant to her role as a political leader in healthcare.
A formal hearing was scheduled for July, but Ramathuba was absent due to official business in Australia. This week, the HPCSA heard from Nigel Branken, a registered social worker representing the coalition of complainants. Branken highlighted how Ramathuba’s actions breached ethical principles and set a troubling example for healthcare professionals.
He emphasized that Ramathuba’s behavior implied that healthcare access should be based on nationality, risking discrimination and undermining healthcare equity. He also criticized her for spreading misinformation about the impact of foreign nationals on the healthcare system, which could lead to further neglect of vulnerable communities.
The complainants are calling for Ramathuba’s registration to be revoked and for an investigation into other healthcare professionals in the video who failed to intervene. The disciplinary inquiry is ongoing, with Ramathuba expected to appear before the committee. The outcome of the hearing will have implications for healthcare ethics and the treatment of all patients, regardless of their nationality.
