GroundUp reports that the staff at Dora Nginza Hospital in Gqeberha have brought most activity and procedures at the facility to a standstill last week. Some nurses were on a go-slow strike while many others have been staging protesting outside the hospital, demanding their overtime pay. On Monday and Tuesday, workers gathered at the main gate and set alight tyres. On Wednesday morning, the main gates were locked, blocking entry to both some nurses and patients. But a few protesting nurses managed to get in and disrupted wards and other activities. On Thursday morning, union representatives and striking staff gathered at the facility to discuss the impasse.
Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA) Eastern Cape chairperson, Vuyo Dlanga, blamed the department for not “adhering to the method for outstanding overpay as agreed last year”. He said union representatives had notified the hospital management about the strike. “Our members were inside and only went out to picket. That’s when they were locked out. We have heard that the employer plans to take stern action against employees, but as a union we’ll be monitoring this.”
Provincial secretary of the National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers, Mzikazi Nkatha, said, “The main grievance was that overtime payments had not been paid since October 2024. Workers are forced to work overtime due to staff shortages. This is a major problem across the Eastern Cape.” Nkatha blamed the department for failing to fix the health system in the province despite numerous concerns raised by unions, and civic groups. “The department is not bringing a solution to the problem despite us engaging them since 2024. We are now faced with angry workers,” said Nkatha. Nkatha said the strike at Dora Nginza was a reflection of the situation at all health facilities, not just hospitals in the province.
Eastern Cape Department of Health spokesperson Siyanda Manana warned that striking nurses and staff would be subjected to disciplinary proceedings. Manana confirmed that the department sent a team to the Nelson Mandela Bay district to deal with the problems at Dora Nginza. “Workers blockaded the gate, denying both patients as well as staff entry to the premises. We also heard of staff being forced out of the wards by the striking employees and the fact that the kitchen was closed, denying patients food. We assure the public that there will definitely be consequences.” Manana said payments of monies owed will run on 5 February and should start reflecting in workers accounts by 10 February.
by Joseph Chirume