Gauteng residents who heeded the provincial government’s call to volunteer at health centres hard hit by the ongoing public servants’ strike were on Monday lauded as heroes and heroines by Premier Nomvula Mokonyane.
After visiting several hospitals which are affected by the industrial action on Monday, Premier Mokonyane said the province was “humbled by the generosity displayed by residents from all walks of life who volunteered their time and expertise so that the impact of the strike is minimised.”
“We are heartened by the spirit of ubuntu that residents have shown during this difficult time,” Mokonyane said.
However, we are still calling for more specialists to come and assist, especially for purposes of surgeries. Mokonyane said she was moved by stories that some doctors had closed their private practices so that they could help with the enormous challenges which the industrial action posed to the province’s health system.
Accompanied by South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) provincial chairperson Lucas Qakaza and Executive Committee member Aubrey Nxumalo and member of Health and Social Development Portfolio Committee in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature Siphiwe Mgcina Premier Mokonyane earlier on Monday toured the Germiston, Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa hospitals and the Garden City clinic to assess the impact of the public service strike.
Premier Mokonyane said the Gauteng Provincial Government had decided to embark on the tour of hospitals because “we don’t see the situation being resolved anytime soon as unions have planned to have their march on Thursday.”
“Be that as it may, we cannot sit and do nothing about it. We are here to see the situation for ourselves and make pronouncements based on the assessment,” she said.
While the Premier, SANCO bosses and Mgcina were unanimous in endorsing the rights of workers to strike, they however condemned the acts of violence, intimidation and harassment by striking workers, as this was equally trampling on the constitutional rights of non-striking workers.
Police maintained a heavy presence at all hotspots today. Qakaza also appealed to members of SANCO in the province to volunteer their services at hospitals affected by strike.
For more information contact:
Dumisani Zulu
Cell: 082 602 3532
