The nationwide wage strike by members of the National Education Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) has led to chaos across the country.

Healthcare services seem to be most affected by the protest action that started on Monday and has now reached day five.

Access to hospitals and other healthcare facilities have been blocked in Mpumalanga, KZN and Gauteng.

Pretoria Rekord reports that the Gauteng Department of Health obtained an interdict on Wednesday evening to stop striking Nehawu members from obstructing the delivery of health services to patients.

The department sought relief from the courts because of the impact the strike was having on various facilities, where the lives of both patients and staff were under threat.

Kopanong, Sebokeng, Thelle Mogoerane and Bheki Mlangeni hospitals all experienced total shutdowns, while Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg and Chris Hani Baragwanath academic hospitals were also affected.

The department says SAPS have been instructed to take all necessary steps to enforce the interdict. This includes the removal of any individuals who obstruct the provision of services.

The interdict will remain in effect until April 20, when both parties are expected back in court.

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— NEHAWU (@NEHAWU) March 1, 2023

Deaths linked to strike action – minister

The death of a seven-month-pregnant woman has been blamed on the strike. She was knocked down in a hit-and-run accident in Pietermaritzburg on Tuesday and later died of her injuries after allegedly being denied emergency treatment by striking healthcare workers at Northdale Hospital.

Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla yesterday visited Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital where he confirmed that at least four people are believed to have lost their lives ‘in a manner that could be directly attributed to the strike’.

“We have a legal team that we are consulting to look at what our options are in that regard,” he said.

Phaahla said his department is co-ordinating a nationwide plan with MECs to ensure that the situation returns to ‘normal’ as quickly as possible.

“We again want to appeal to the leadership of Nehawu that while we don’t want to interfere with their rights as enshrined in the Constitution to withdraw their services, this must be done in a manner that respects that health services are essential services.”

He pleaded with the union members to desist from violence, physical intimidation and disruption of services.

“Those who engage in these activities must also face the consequences. We’re not going to shy away from our responsibilities in that regard.”

Disruptions across SA

Teachers and learners at the Estralita special needs school in Lydenburg, Mpumalanga, were left traumatised on Wednesday when people wearing Nehawu T-shirts trashed the offices and intimidated teachers. It is said that they tore up the school register and intimidated some teachers, leaving one teacher’s arm severely bruised.

A video in possession of Steelburger/Lydenburg News that was taken by a teacher hiding in her classroom shows the protesters entering the school grounds and trashing the offices. The video also shows protesters carrying out office equipment.

Nehawu national spokesperson Lwazi Nkolozi had not responded to newspaper enquiries by the time of publishing.

Meanwhile, several patients had to return home without assistance this week because of the protest action at the Carletonville Hospital and several government clinics.

Similar disruptions affected healthcare facilities across Mpumalanga, reports Middelburg Observer.

Demands and comment

Nehawu members demand a 10% wage increase, while government has offered 4.7%. The list of union demands includes the filling of vacant posts, housing subsidies, and education bursaries for their children.

Nehawu’s Harry Gwala regional secretary Mazwi Ngubane told The Witness that they have asked their members to allow people to access the healthcare facilities.

Late yesterday, he said the union and the employer were still holding negotiations in the bargaining council.