Zimbabwean parents of a 15-year-old girl with a life-threatening autoimmune disease recently had their hopes turned to heartbreak at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital.
Despite the condition being so urgent and the availability of a liver donor, doctors told the family their daughter doesn’t qualify for a transplant.
Charlotte Maxeke Hospital refuses to help
Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital reportedly refused to help Vanessa Mafu, the daughter of Zimbabwean parents. The teenager suffers from a life-threatening autoimmune disease that requires a liver transplant.
According to the family, their daughter was denied the procedure simply because she is not South African. The doctors at Charlotte Maxeke Hospital told Vanessa’s father, Vuyelwa Ncube, that he must have a valid visa or permit. That would qualify her daughter to receive life-saving medical treatment.
Court application, and it is urgent
Vanessa’s parents have filed an urgent application at the Johannesburg High Court. The application seeks to compel Charlotte Maxeke Hospital to perform the life-saving transplant. The parents claim they can meet the transplant cost, which could cost up to R1,5 million.
In the affidavit, Ncube clarifies that he applied for an extension of his expired work permit and is awaiting the outcome.
“The delays in the processing of my documents are not my own, but could have fatal consequences for my daughter,” reads the affidavit.
A ‘Blatantly Xenophobic Act’?
Zimlive reports that the family’s lawyer, Advocate Simba Chitando, described Vanessa’s situation as extremely urgent, but also ‘blatantly xenophobic.’
“It is symbolic of the fact that South Africa has lost its moral, legal, and pan-African compass. My clients remain defiant under the circumstances, and the legal team I’m leading will do everything in our power to save this beautiful Zimbabwean girl’s life.”
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