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A labour court judge has ruled in favour of the Free State department of health against acts of intimidation and the prevention of nurses and others from going to work, in the ongoing National Health Education and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) strike.
The provincial health department approached the high court in Bloemfontein after acts of violence by striking members of the union. The members had joined the industrial strike on Monday due to collapsed wage negotiations.
On Wednesday morning, Judge Johannes Daffue ordered that Nehawu was prohibited from "doing anything which directly or indirectly obstructs or impedes access to and from the health facilities, whether movable or immovable and regardless of the owner thereof".
Nehawu members are also prohibited from barricading entrances or buildings, and assaulting, threatening or intimidating any member of staff, employees, contractors or patients.
READ: No work, no pay for members striking during working hours - national department of health
Free State provincial department spokesperson Mondli Mvambi said the strike had affected the provision of healthcare services as well as access to some of the health facilities in the Free State.
Other provinces also voiced concerns about the acts of violence and intimidation by some members affiliated with Nehawu.
Eastern Cape Health MEC Nomakhosazana Meth said the department understood that workers had a right to demonstrate but when they did that they should not infringe on the rights of others.
"We cannot afford to have a situation where the lives of patients and staff not on strike are in danger as a result of the action of those who have embarked on this action. We have noted that Nehawu-affiliated workers have embarked on the strike despite being interdicted by the high court, and such lawlessness is condemned with the contempt it deserves," Meth said.
READ: Unions divided over way forward on wage dispute
She said a no work-no pay principle would apply to all the officials who were participating in the strike action.
The KwaZulu-Natal health department said it was also experiencing ongoing disruptions at some of its health facilities, mainly in the eThekwini, Uthukela and uMngungundlovu districts.
KwaZulu-Natal provincial department spokesperson Agiza Hlongwane said emergency medical services in and around eThekwini and King Cetshwayo had reported serious challenges with moving around and transporting patients to and from healthcare facilities.
“Emmaus Hospital recorded challenges regarding food and laundry services after workers were forced to leave their work stations. Both areas had to be manned by only a few staff members to ensure the provision of lunch and dinner for patients,” he said.
