Communities in Govan Mbeki municipal area feel the result of Nehawu strike
Many cannot access medical services and medicines.
The community has been unable to access essential services, such as medical help, since the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) embarked on a nationwide wage strike on March 6.
All local clinics, some hospitals, the Social Development offices, Home Affairs, licensing offices and courts were shut down by the protestors.
Some patients were chased from the clinics while queuing for treatments and medications.
On Monday, patients were turned away at the eMbalenhle clinics and the Evander Hospital because of the strike.
Nehawu members blocked the gates and forced all public service workers from the facilities to join the strike.
Proceedings at the Evander courthouse were also interrupted on Wednesday, and the Secunda Court was disrupted on Thursday when the protestors demanded the courts be closed and the employees join the strike.
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Community members are worried about what will happen if the strike continues.
Mduduzi Mahlangu said he went to the Evander Hospital to get his medication on March 6. He felt scared when he saw a group in red T-shirts singing and dancing in front of the hospital gate.
“We were turned back. Those people told us that the hospital is closed due to a strike. They didn’t threaten me, but I was worried about the medication that I was unable to get.
“Luckily, I took my chances on Tuesday morning, and I got my medication before the protestors arrived,” said Mahlangu.
Mahlangu said the strike harms the terminally ill because they will not get medical attention.
Dumisile Khumalo and other patients were waiting in the queue at the clinic in Ext 19, eMbalenhle, when a group of people wearing red T-shirts stormed inside the building and forced them out.
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“I have a problem with my eyes. I went to the clinic for medical help, but because of this strike, I still do not know what is wrong with me.
“What if I go blind?” asked Khumalo.
Jabulile Nkosi said she was supposed to go for a life-saving operation in Gauteng but received a call from the doctor to say the operation had been rescheduled because of the strike.
“The doctors told me I must have this operation otherwise I will die. This date was given to me because they knew I would be ready.
“I am worried that many people will lose their lives before the strike ends,” said Nkosi.
“I was given a diet to prepare me for the operation, but now that was a waste,” said Nkosi.
Lynn-Mari van Eck commented on Facebook that she needed her test results and a referral to an oncologist but was turned away from Bethal Hospital.
She wrote that she is a young mother who does not want to die.
Nehawu and the state reached a deadlock during talks, leading to the state unilaterally implementing a 3% salary increase in October against the union’s 10% wage demand.
Nehawu served the employer with a strike notice in February, but the Department of Public Service and Administration successfully interdicted the strike from going ahead on March 4.
The union lodged an appeal on March 5 and argued that the industrial action could go ahead as planned because the appeal suspended the interdict.
On March 6, the department successfully approached the Labour Court for an order granting it leave to execute the interdict.
But later that day, Nehawu launched an appeal at the Labour Appeal Court and stressed that the strike would continue.
It is unclear when the strike will end.
