The Gauteng Department of Health has stepped forward to defend an Ethiopian nurse employed at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital after a viral social media video falsely suggested he was working in South Africa illegally. The department confirmed that the nurse, who has been part of the healthcare system since 2011, holds permanent residency and possesses a valid South African identification certificate.
Motalatale Modiba, Head of Communications at the Gauteng Department of Health, addressed the controversy following the emergence of the video on X (formerly Twitter). In the clip, the nurse was interrogated about his employment and nationality as he entered the hospital, sparking outrage and leading to accusations of systemic fraud and resource exploitation.
Modiba condemned the spread of misinformation and the public outrage that followed, emphasizing the damaging impact of such baseless claims. “The department strongly cautions against this new form of intimidation which masks itself under the guise of ‘so-called oversight’ where staff are targeted,” he stated. He warned that unverified information, often distorted and spread through social media, incites unnecessary panic and undermines the credibility of hardworking healthcare professionals.
Beyond reputational harm, Modiba highlighted the serious implications these actions have on both healthcare workers and patients. “Not only are the rights of employees to discharge their duties in an environment free of threats and intimidation infringed upon, but often the rights of patients to privacy and dignity are grossly violated,” he said.
The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA) in Gauteng also condemned the harassment, calling the video a clear display of xenophobic prejudice. “This incident is extremely dangerous as it instigates violence and is a full-blown act of xenophobia,” DENOSA stated. The organization stressed that the nurse is fully qualified, registered with the South African Nursing Council (SANC), and equipped with specialist skills in Nursing Education and Nursing Administration—expertise desperately needed in the country’s overstretched healthcare system.
DENOSA further criticized the lack of intervention from authorities to protect the nurse’s rights in the workplace. “Not only is he a registered nurse; he is also a qualified professional whose skills are in high demand at a time when there is a severe shortage of skilled nurses,” the organization added.
In response, DENOSA has called on the Gauteng Health Department to implement stricter occupational health and safety measures for both staff and patients in its healthcare facilities. They urged officials to take decisive action against xenophobic intimidation that threatens the safety and well-being of healthcare professionals dedicated to serving the public.
