THE DA has written a letter to seek clarity on the statement made by Health MEC, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo at a recent farewell dinner for medical students destined for pharmaceutical and ultra-sonography studies at India’s Manipal University.
Dhlomo made the announcement at the dinner for the students where he demonstrated where the contraceptive would be implanted, saying it would prevent pregnancies for a period of three years.
DA KZN spokesman on Health, Imran Keeka said, the DA condemns the Department of Health’s intention to forcefully implant contraceptives into these 12 women.
“It seems that the female students’ scholarships were contingent on them accepting the implants.
“According to South Africa’s Bill of Rights, every person is afforded the right to make their own choices in decisions concerning reproduction and has complete control over what happens to their bodies. Dhlomo, with the support of premier Senzo Mchunu has decided that these students should not be afforded such rights and this cannot go unchallenged.
“The Premier and the MEC does not have the right to dictate to young women on how to manage their bodies.
“The DA agrees that the girls should use contraceptives if they do not want to fall pregnant. But the state cannot force people to accept an invasive medical procedure like this,” said Keeka.
According to the DA, if the women are being forced into this, the MEC’s decision is in contravention of the Bill of Rights. He needs to explain himself.
