The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has deployed military healthcare practitioners from the South African Military Health Services due to the ongoing strike by members of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu).

The deployment follows a request for assistance by the Department of Health due to the strike action by workers affiliated to Nehawu across the country.

The strike has led to the deaths of at least five people in KZN.

Last week, The Witness reported that five people — three patients in Greys Hospital and a seven-month pregnant woman in Northdale — died on Tuesday and Wednesday.

SANDF said the military healthcare practitioners were on Wednesday last week deployed to hospitals and will remain deployed as may be required.

The National Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002 provides for the deployment of SANDF personnel to a national organ of state for the rendering of emergency services.

At this stage, Nehawu and the Department of Health are at loggerheads as the nationwide strike continues into its second week.

The union’s KZN secretary, Mazwi Ngubane, previously told The Witness that more government departments and TVET colleges will be closed and the strike will continue until there’s a firm agreement between the department and the union.