DEAR Editor,-
The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) calls on President Cyril Ramaphosa to urgently intervene in the ongoing KZN mortuary strike which has affected many families.
Workers have been on a go-slow for two weeks, demanding a wage increase and better working conditions.
ALSO READ : OPINION: ‘Health MEC must present a contingency plan’
The failure of KZN Premier Willies Mchunu to intervene in this matter is a clear indication that he is not concerned about the plight of the citizens of the province.
We would expect that the premier will break his silence on the situation unfolding in KwaZulu-Natal and speak out against the actions of the KZN Department of Health (DOH).
Therefore, it is high time now that the president intervenes in this matter.
Urgent intervention is imperative because it is unacceptable for family members to wait for the bodies of their deceased relatives.
The president must do this under his ‘Thuma Mina campaign’ aimed at improving service delivery.
We urge him to fulfil this promise and say that the time has come to lend his hand and deal decisively with challenges facing workers in KZN mortuaries.
It is clear that the department failed to deal with and remedy the situation, as it is not the first time that mortuary workers have gone on strike.
It is regrettable that workers’ concerns should have reached this apex – that they have no alternative than to resort to a go-slow that is envisaged to bring a profound result.
It is therefore surprising that the DOH does not see these infringements on the rights of KZN mortuary workers and is reluctant to resolving them.
This strike will be a disaster for the province. If mortuary workers do not work efficiently and preserve dead bodies, the public could be exposed to serious infectious diseases.
The IFP questions whether the DOH is sending out a message to the public that ‘those who intend to die during this period should wait until mortuary workers are back at work?’
Can death be reversed?
This is only a sign of the lack of political will and respect for the dignity of those who have died.
NCAMISILE NKWANYANA, MPL
KZN Provincial Spokesman on Health
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
For news straight to your phone, add us on WhatsApp 082 421 6033
