Illegal immigrants excluded from the South Africa COVID-19 immunization program
South Africa Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize says millions of undocumented immigrants are excluded from the COVID-19 immunizations program. South Africa starts the inoculation process today when the first batch of vaccines arrive from India.
“All you need when you go to a vaccination center, is to show that you have a South African ID and you are a South African registered voter,” Mkhize told SABC.
It appears the South African government is sidelining foreign national even those with legal status. Dr Mkhize further admits that South Africa does not have a plan to deal with people not documented.
Illegal immigrants excluded from the South Africa COVID-19 immunization program
Zimbabwe contributes a very large number of immigrants to the population of immigrants who sought refuge for economic and political reasons. Such Zimbabweans in South Africa will not get the vaccine.
Zimbabwe recorded an increase in new cases in December when people in South Africa were returning home. The second variant which originates from South Africa resulted in a higher death rate in Zimbabwe. This led to the 30 day national lockdown.
If people are to come back to Zimbabwe for the vaccine, it will be bad news for Zimbabwe as numbers will rise again. If they decide to stay in South Africa hen it means they get to suffer the effects of COVID-19. This stunt by Dr Mkhize looks like a xenophobic strategy to get immigrants back to their countries.