The interdict against the Nehawu labour strike has brought relief to many patients, some of whom were scared to go to hospital because of the intimidation by the striking workers.
Health workers under Nehawu had embarked on a strike that turned violent as some doctors and health practitioners were intimidated as they tried to get into hospitals to treat patients. Some patients were turned back from the hospitals and it was reported some even died because they couldn’t get life-saving treatment.
Health Minister Joe Phaahla was quoted as saying the protest action may have caused the deaths of four patients including children and added that this must be investigated.
Nehawu Secretary General Secretary Zola Saphetha in a briefing in Braamfontein on Sunday said it was premature to link the deaths of four people to the Nehawu strike. The union said in a statement its legal team was still studying the judgement.
The workers were demanding a 10% salary increase and rejected the government’s offer of 4%. The protests started on March 6, yesterday the Department of Public Service and Administration obtained an interdict in the Labour Appeals Court which ordered the healthcare workers to end the strike with immediate effect.
The court ordered Nehawu, one of the biggest public sector unions, to make sure its members know about the interdict or face legal consequences. Patients at Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital in Joburg said they were happy to receive treatment without any threat to their wellbeing.
“I’m coming to get my medication so far everything looks like things are going well,” Mavis Zwide said.
“Earlier I was in Mandela Children’s Clinic where I took my child, it was smooth there I’m really happy about finally being able to come,” she added
Another patient Rudolf Maphosa said he was glad he got treated early with nothing stopping him from getting into the hospital.
“Nothing disturbed the process. They scanned me as usual unlike last week when I was turned back and the roads were blocked. I wish things could continue like this. Although we sympathise with workers, their job is too important to go on strike because lives depend on them,” he said.
Another patient who preferred not to reveal her name said even after the court ruling yesterday she was reluctant to go to the hospital because she feared the strike might continue.
“To be honest I was scared to come here but I just had to come. I’m happy no roads are blocked here or anyone stopping me. I haven’t got inside the hospital but I’m optimistic it will all go well,” she said.
Barbara Sifuba, whose family member was treated at the oncology section said that section was not disrupted even when the strike escalated.
“The staff was prioritising the patients and it is good that there were no interruptions in that section,” Sifuba said.
