Staff shut down Durban court, demand deep clean following Covid-19 case
The workers are on the second day of the protest after they gathered outside the court on Tuesday.
Workers at the Durban Magistrate’s Court have refused to work until there’s a deep clean of the building following a positive Covid-19 case.
The workers are on the second day of the protest after they gathered outside the court on Tuesday.
A worker, who spoke to the Berea Mail on condition of anonymity, said they don’t understand why the building was not disinfected and decontaminated after a worker tested positive.
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Last month, the court was closed and had to be deep cleaned after a magistrate tested positive for Covid-19.
“Some of our colleagues have tested positive for the virus, the management chose not to inform the rest of us and (not) to close down the building,” said the worker.
“Our issue is, when one of the magistrates tested positive, the building was shut for four days. But when the admin staff gets sick, the matter is swept under the rug.”
Unions have been called in to discuss the matter with court management.
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Chrispin Phiri, spokesperson for the Department of Justice and Correctional Services, said the court was operating with a limited workforce.
“A supervisor from the court tested positive last week Friday and a clerk tested positive over the weekend. There was an impasse between the Unions and the local court management as to the exact extent of the area to be disinfected in the court building,” he said.
“The acting director of HR communicated with the unions yesterday. This morning the regional office agreed with the chief magistrate that all matters will be postponed as of 2.30pm this afternoon to allow for the disinfection of the affected areas in the building. It is hoped that operations may resume tomorrow morning,” added Phiri.
Phiri said all court matters, except family law, that were supposed to be heard on Tuesday and Wednesday have been postponed.
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