Striking civil servants affiliated with several unions barricaded the entrances to the Chris Hani Road health facility in Soweto on Tuesday.
FILE: Chris Hani Baragwanath University Hospital. Photo: Sethembiso Zulu/EWN.
JOHANNESBURG — Some patients queuing at Chris Hani Baragwanath University Hospital were outraged when shown the door after nurses and administrative staff halted services.
Striking civil servants affiliated with several unions barricaded the entrances to the Chris Hani Road health facility in Soweto on Tuesday.
This comes as public sector pay negotiations are deadlocked.
The government made what it called a 7.5% final offer, comprising 3% pensionable funds and 4.5% non-pensionable funds.
But the unions have rejected it and are demanding a 10% increase.
Other demands include an increase in housing allowance of R2,500 and scholarship schemes for the children of civil servants.
Doctors at Chris Hani Baragwanath University Hospital arrived at work on Tuesday to find they would have to take on the nurse’s responsibilities in addition to their own.
The health workers’ strike has also endangered the well-being of thousands of patients.
Some told Eyewitness News how they were chased away by protesting officials, while those awaiting treatment were told to return home.
Chanting songs with posters and placards in their hands, members affiliated with various unions continue to block roads and entrances.
Xolani Fihla, spokesperson for the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD): “The intersection of Chris Hani Road and Patrick Road at the Chris Hani Baragwanath University Hospital in Diepkloof, Soweto is jammed with traffic and this is due to protest action.”
It is understood that all surgeries at South Africa’s largest healthcare facility have been canceled for the day.
This added to its already growing backlog.
Meanwhile, the Gauteng health department said it was investigating services that may have been affected by the strike.
