SEDIBENG.- The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) has announced that it has obtained a court interdict at the Johannesburg Labour Court against the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU) to stop their members from obstructing the rendering of health services to
patients.

The GDoH said that it was left with no choice but to seek relief from the courts given the dire impact of the strike in various facilities where the lives of both patients and the staff were under threat. Some hospitals are experiencing a total shut down as is the case at Kopanong, Sebokeng, Thelle Mogoerane, and Bheki Mlangeni where patients were left unattended as striking workers allegedly went inside wards ordering staff out of the facilities.

The Gauteng Emergency Medical Services personnel were apparently also threatened from responding to calls and denied access in or out of facilities causing frustration among people in need of emergency medical care.

” The interim interdict is applicable with immediate effect and prevents striking workers from doing anything which directly or indirectly obstructs or impedes access to and from health facilities across the Gauteng province, and damaging any Departmental property whether movable or immovable. It further prohibits the protesters from barricading entrances or buildings, molesting, assaulting, threatening, or intimidating any member of staff in or outpatient, contractors, visitors, or officials of GDoH,” the GDoH said.

For the past two days services have been disrupted across various health facilities, mainly at hospitals with some clinics also impacted, where NEHAWU members staged protests.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has been ordered to take all steps necessary to give effect to the interim interdict including the removal and expulsion of any person obstructing the rendering of services from properties and premises of GDoH. The interdict will remain in effect pending the court the return date of 20 April 2023.