Social media can be a powerful tool for connection, but it also has a way of turning into a courtroom where users act as judge, jury, and executioner—often without all the facts. The social media platform X (formerly Twitter) was recently abuzz with accusations against an Ethiopian nurse, with claims that he was working illegally in South Africa and practicing without proper credentials.
The viral outrage spread fast, sparking debates on immigration, healthcare, and ethics.
WATCH: An illegal Ethiopian foreigner is currently working at Baragwanath Hospital as a nurse with no formal medical qualifications.
It is unclear how the intruder gained access to the hospital, the foreigner can be seen inviting his Ethiopian friends into the hospital. pic.twitter.com/UeKWRBviCn
— PSAFLIVE (@PSAFLIVE) February 4, 2025
Many internet users were frustrated by the fact that there are South African qualified nurses who are jobless, claiming that foreign nationals have taken over all aspects of the country. Some of the comments from X users read:
Heebanna?????@ElninoNdlovu @P8_piece_ @_My_Vriend
So now we have Ethiopian male nurses in SA???????when our SA nurses and Doctors are without jobs???Mihlola yam https://t.co/5QLmPtPlvJ— DinnyDusty (@KgKilo195955) February 4, 2025
One user commented: “In South Africa, we have a high rate of unemployed nurses and doctors sitting at home, and Aaron Motsoeledi said the government can’t hire everyone, but the Department of Health can hire Ethiopians as nurses? Wow, this is quite appalling.”
Another one said: “The hospital manager should be held accountable.”
The matter managed to catch the attention of the Gauteng Department of Health, and according to the IOL publication, they responded, clearing all allegations against the nurse. The publication states that the department confirmed that the nurse has a permanent residency and a valid South African identification certificate and is not involved in a fraudulent system exploiting South African resources.
It is further mentioned that the department’s Head of Communications, Motalatale Modiba, emphasised the negative implications of unverified accusations and that the nurse’s rights to a safe work environment were violated, while patients’ privacy and dignity were also grossly violated.
Also see: The Apartheid impact: Internet users share heartbreaking realities of dealing with land displacement
