Undocumented people based in Mpumalanga are worried that they will not be vaccinated. Mpumalanga is one of South Africa’s province’s that have many stateless and undocumented people.
One of those who will not be vaccinated is Vusi Ndlovu(24) from Lelydale in Bushbuckridge.
“I am worried that I will not be vaccinated because I don’t have an ID book.
I was born here in South Africa and my mother is from Mozambique, while my father is a South African.
I tried in vain to get an identity document. Without an ID book there is nothing you can do,” said Ndlovu.
According to a recent report released by the Lawyers for Human Rights, there are over 15 million unregistered or undocumented people in the country, of which almost 3 million are under the age of 18.
The number comprises foreign nationals, stateless people and South African nationals, who failed to obtain documentation due to different reasons.
Sizile Manzini(43), a Swazi national who currently stays in Masoyi outside White River, Mpumalanga said she was aware that she would not be vaccinated.
“Since I arrived here as a young girl with my parents I have been excluded in everything, so I will not be vaccinated,” said Manzini. When contacted for comment,
Mpumalanga Department of Health spokesperson Dumisani Malamule conceded that only those with documentation were being vaccinated.
“All patients with valid documentations are registered and vaccinated at the same time.
Identity document, passport or Asylum letter is needed if a person wants to use our vaccination sites,” said Malamule.
Mpumalanga based politician Themba Godi, a leader of the African People’s Convention said the undocumented people were not supposed to be excluded.
“No matter what happened, but these people are still human beings and Africans.
We are not saying people should just flock into the country, but we are saying that those who are already here should be assisted,” said Godi.
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