Implementation of NHI will not be prevented without decisive legal action, warns AfriForum

AfriForum warns that the implementation of National Health Insurance (NHI) will not be prevented without legal action and increased public pressure. The ANC’s actions and rhetoric since the 2024 elections have shown that the party is still completely unwilling to compromise with political opponents or civil society groups.

It was reported this past weekend that the ANC intends to table a compromised proposal for the implementation of NHI during the first cabinet lekgotla for 2025. However, two days later, Aaron Motsoaledi, the Minister of Health (and ANC member), strongly denied these reports and said that the implementation of NHI will continue unchanged. AfriForum points out that it is an old tactic of the ANC to deliver contradictory and confusing messages about harmful legislation. Therefore, it is important to apply pressure in the fight against NHI.

According to Louis Boshoff, AfriForum’s Campaign Officer for Health, taxpayers should not be appeased by the fact that there is not enough money to implement NHI. “It is clear from the ANC’s blind ideological commitment that they will attempt to implement NHI regardless of the damage such an attempt may cause,” explains Boshoff. “Therefore, AfriForum will do everything in its power to have NHI be declared unconstitutional in the courts.”

AfriForum announced last year that the organisation would initiate a unique legal process against NHI in which a summons would be issued against the government and expert witnesses would be called to prove the unfeasible nature of NHI. “The developments of the past few months have shown us how important it is that a variety of litigation processes are launched against NHI and that a political solution will not simply be found,” adds Boshoff.

To find out more about AfriForum’s campaign against NHI and to contribute, click here.