South Africa: Clinic Staff Extorting Immigrants for Life-Saving Medicines.

By Knowledge Muneri, 19 December 2025  

The Gauteng High Court recently ordered the South African government to take action against "xenophobic vigilantes" blocking immigrants from accessing healthcare. However, reports have emerged that clinic staff are extorting money from immigrants in exchange for access to state health services.

GroundUp investigations found that some clinic staff, in cahoots with Operation Dudula members, are selling ARVs and chronic medicines to immigrants. At Spartan clinic, staff share their WhatsApp numbers with desperate immigrants, offering services for a fee. One patient, Q, paid R200 for a month's supply of ARVs after being chased away from the clinic.

Another immigrant, K, shared screenshots of a conversation with a clinic staff member, quoting prices for ARVs and diabetes medication. GroundUp also obtained a price list from a clinic staff member.

At Jeppe clinic, immigrants are forced to buy medication from unauthorized sellers or go without. M, a woman with chronic high blood pressure, buys ARVs and other medication from clinic staff and sells them to fellow immigrants, receiving a R50 kickback.

The Gauteng health department has not responded to requests for comment. However, the national health department's spokesperson, Foster Mohale, condemned the extortion, stating that anyone with evidence should come forward to aid in investigations.

Ethel Musonza from Zimbabwe Isolated Women in South Africa called for urgent intervention, citing cases of people defaulting on HIV treatment due to lack of access to medication