State refuses to test residents of quarantine camp
3 May 2020
AfriForum arranged today for a team that offers medical services to visit the appalling Zithabeseni quarantine camp close to Groblersdal in order for the approximately 107 residents – who haven’t been tested for COVID-19 by the state – to be tested at own cost. Not only was the private medical team refused entrance to the premises, but the SAPS also called in backup to ensure the medical team won’t be able to return.
This follows after the government informed residents they wouldn’t be tested by the state for COVID-19 at this stage and that they would be detained in the quarantine camp, regardless of the fact that they didn’t know whether they have the virus. They are also not allowed to self-isolate at home of have themselves tested at their own cost.
AfriForum is assisting residents who are being held in the camp against their will. Among these residents are Dr Leon Nel, his wife Melanie and their two children. They were brought here after being in Mozambique for vacation recently where they were in self-isolation for five weeks. While being in self-isolation they were also in consultation with officials from the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation in Mozambique.
Dr Nel, a veterinarian, said in a telephonic interview that the facilities at the camp were not up to standard and that he feared his family could fall very ill while staying there. He also supplied AfriForum with photos and video footage.