26 February 2007
An independent tribunal that was instituted to look into the cases of
dismissed nurses has assumed its work. The first sitting of the tribunal was on
24 February 2007 at Ngwelezane Hospital, where they started hearing cases of
dismissed nurses from both Ngwelezane and St Benedictine (Nongoma)
hospitals.
The tribunal was instituted following the signing of a Memorandum of
Understanding between the MEC for Health in KwaZulu-Natal, Ms Neliswa Peggy
Nkonyeni and representatives from organised labour. Its mandate is to
investigate allegations made by the dismissed nurses that they were intimidated
into joining the illegal strike. Others have alleged that they were on vacation
or sick leave during the strike period and as such should not have been
dismissed. The tribunal provides a platform for all dismissed nurses to present
their cases in an open and transparent forum.
The tribunal is composed of three legal experts and is chaired by Advocate E
Ngubane. They will provide recommendations to the MEC and unions in two months.
The department has also delegated its top officials to work with the unions in
trying to resolve the matter of the dismissed nurses. Mr Nhlanhla Nkosi, the
Chief Operations Officer in the Department of Health, has been tasked to work
closely with the unions and to assist the tribunal as it carries on with its
work.
All affected workers are encouraged to contact their respective unions in
order to get the schedule of the tribunal sittings.
Enquiries:
Mr Leon Mbangwa
Cell: 083 459 8695
Issued by: Department of Health, KwaZulu Natal Provincial Government
26 February 2007
Source: KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government (http://www.kwazulunatal.gov.za)
