In March 2024, radio personality Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma established March and March, a non-governmental organisation campaigning against the employment of undocumented foreign nationals in South Africa.
What began in KwaZulu-Natal has spread nationally, with volunteers now stationed at the entrances of public hospitals including the Addington Hospital in the Durban Beachfront, RK Khan Hospital in Chatsworth and the various Gateway Clinics across the province.
March and March effectively screens the patients before they enter public health facilities, with those without IDs refused entry. The group asserts it operates “where the government has failed”. The movement has its many critics, but it has many supporters too – who argue they are reclaiming hospitals from foreigners.
Initially, the group claimed it was against illegal foreigners, however, it appears it only allows those who produce SA identity books at health facilities.
KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane Mngadi and her department denounced the actions as “unlawful acts of vigilantism” earlier this month, stressing that “no member of the public or structure has the legal or moral authority to block others from accessing healthcare”.
“The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the actions of individuals and organised groups who take the law into their own hands by targeting health facilities and obstructing access to services. South Africa is a country governed by the Constitution and the rule of law.
“Any grievances, no matter how serious, must be addressed through the proper legal and democratic channels. At the same time, we unequivocally condemn undocumented foreign nationals who unlawfully cross into South Africa with the sole intention of unduly accessing our public health services.
“While our health institutions remain committed to upholding basic human rights and ethical healthcare standards, the increasing and unauthorised influx of undocumented individuals continues to place significant pressure on our already strained and underfunded public health system,” she said in a statement.
Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko criticised hospital blockades and clarified that foreign nationals are liable for medical fees.
“People sometimes must stop telling stories that they do not have facts about,” she asserted.
The Health MECs have denounced the behaviour as unconstitutional and said the organisation had legal or moral authority to act in the manner it was.
Confrontation at Addington Hospital
On July 24, 2025, Durban resident Crispin Hemson, 77, a former Durban University of Technology academic, was shoved and denied entry at Addington Hospital after refusing to show his ID.
A video he later posted on Facebook shows a man and woman forcibly pulling him back at the gate. The woman threatens to headbutt him, while also pronouncing to “hit” him, according to audio from the video. March and March claims Hemson was at the hospital to retrieve medication for foreigners.
The former academic has denied the claims vehemently, but he was also not pleased with the conduct of the police.
Hemson alleges volunteers swore at him, threatened violence, and accused him of collecting medication for foreigners. He only gained hospital access after a SAPS van escorted him inside for his physiotherapy appointment.
Police inaction
Hemson reported the assault at Point SAPS but claims officers “obstructed me completely,” refusing to register an assault case. He says a police officer allegedly told him they “only act when instructed by the Minister of Police.”
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda denied these claims without providing details, stating: “We don’t respond to allegations”.
“There are no detectives stationed at the charge office”.
Movement’s counterclaims
March and March issued a statement alleging Hemson had “sworn, unleashing explicit racial slurs, and physically manhandled” a volunteer.
The group also claimed he was “collecting medication for foreigners” and pointed to earlier confrontations dating back to July 2025, warning that “harbouring of illegal foreigners is itself a criminal offence.”
It remains unclear exactly why the police are allowing the NGO to behave in the manner that it does, while also the KZN Department of Health has seemingly opted to shy away from the issue confronting its hospitals.
Meanwhile, Ngobese Zuma’s contract at Vuma FM was not renewed. She is expected to host her final shows on air next week. Ngobese Zuma announced on social media on Sunday that her contract had been terminated without reasons stated.
In the aftermath, fingers were directed at the KZN Health MEC and unproven allegations that she had demanded the axing of the media personality were made in the press. Simelane-Mngadi’s office has denied the claims, with her party, the ANC in KZN, also backing her on the matter.
Ngobese Zuma’s employer later confirmed that it had chosen not to renew her contract in a short statement which was released during the week.
