NELSPRUIT – “They are putting the burden of the poor on the poor.” This came to light when tension escalated between provincial social development workers and the heads of their departments. Members of the National Education Health & Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) of the Provincial Department of Health and Social Development staged a protest outside the legislature buildings to vent their frustration.
A few hundred workers, belonging mainly to Nehawu, staged a march from the showground to the legislature building where they handed over a list of demands to the MEC Ms Candith Mashego-Dlamini. Protesters brandished banners demanding the removal of HOD Ms Ningi Mlangeni.
The crowd chanted “Hamba, HOD”, “Hamba”.
Nehawu provincial secretary Mr Sizwe Motha addressed the crowd. He went through the list of demands they wanted addressed by the department. “We want the immediate removal of the HOD.” He said they also wanted a thorough investigation into an IT tender deal and the recruitment of staff dating back to 2009.
Motha said the staff also requested basic tools to do their jobs and clothing, in compliance with the Health and Safety Act.
He told Mashego and government officials they had 21 days to respond to their demands. He said their members would be staging a picket every week until the deadline. “If this is not addressed, we will embark on a full-blown strike.”
Mashego signed the list of demands and told the crowd they would be addressed within the given time frame.
One woman said she had been working as a volunteer for 10 years and had as yet not been absorbed into the department as a permanent staff member. “We only get paid R1 000 to R1 500 and have to pay our own petrol to get to people in need. Sometimes we don't get paid for six months.” She added that this was her only income.
Departmental spokesman Mr Ronnie Masilela, said what they were witnessing was mostly the provincial Nehawu members gathering in the department of social development.
“The officials I see here today are mostly administrative staff based at the provincial office and not necessarily from the branch offices. The MEC has accepted their demands and we are committed as a department to respond before the 21 days.”
