Central SA
Nehawu strike 'has not grounded health services to a complete halt'─── 13:06 Mon, 06 Mar 2023
The Free State Department of Health's spokesperson, Mondli Mvambi, issued a statement regarding the Nehawu strike that took place at 09:00 on Monday morning 6 March 2023.
Members of Nehawu blocked entrances and interfered with hospital operations at the Mofumahadi Manapo Mopeli Regional Hospital and Elizabeth Ross in Qwaqwa, the Pelonomi Hospital in Bloemfontein, the Fezi Ngubentombi in Sasolburg, and the Boitumelo Hospital in Kroonstad.
To make sure that protesters are not violating others' constitutional right to health, the department has contacted law enforcement agencies.
“So far, it is unclear who is actively participating in the strike as services have not grounded to a complete halt. There are services which are still ongoing inside the different facilities,” explained Mvambi.
He said the situation is different in different hospitals, as some are gradually allowing people and ambulances to go in while at others, the situation is still tense. An update will follow after the roll call has been done to determine who is participating in the strike action, who is there, and who is not there.
The government and the protesters cannot reach an agreement. Workers want 10%, but the government offers much less than that. The national First Deputy President of Nehawu, Nyameka Macanda, also addressed dissatisfied Nehawu members, including some nurses and attorneys.
At Mofumahadi Manapo Mopeli Regional Hospital in Qwaqwa, one of the staff members said she hasn’t been able to access the hospital and arrived at 06:30. “At the moment, Nehawu members are still blocking the main gate into the hospital, which has made it difficult for patients to get help,” she explained.
Patients are said to have departed since they are not receiving care. No communication or arrangements have been made with them. The nurse stated that despite the cops being present at the hospital, nothing is being done.
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At least four Nehawu members were detained at the Pelonomi Hospital in Bloemfontein, while union members blocked gates to the facility's private and public sides. Police at the entrance of Pelonomi's private hospital shot stun grenades to disperse the crowd.
The union plans on going on an undefined strike after it appealed the Labour Court interdict to stop it from acting.
