JOHANNESBURG: As about 1, 3 million civil servants continue to strike in South Africa, service delivery has been paralysed, impacting negatively on Zimbabweans living in the country. (Pictured: Strikers outside Greys Hospital in Kwazulu Natal (Stephanie Goenka)
Margaret Muyambo told The Zimbabwean that she was told to take her relative out of Johannesburg hospital because the institution could not cope with the skeleton staff they were using from the army and the police. Muyambo said: Currently we are taking care of my brother who suffers from cancer at home. I could not afford to send him to a private clinic. I am afraid that if the strike continues we might loose my brother. I also wonder what would happen if his medication runs out.
Most hospitals are understaffed. In Helen Joseph there were media reports that only one of their operating theatres was functional.
Thomas Ndlovu (not real name) says his anti-retroviral tablets ran out a week ago and he has been unable to get more because of the civil servants industrial action. He said that some people living with the virus could not go for reviews and CD4 count because of the strike.
The Zimbabwean visited Marabastad refugee centre and found it closed with some asylum seekers wandering around outside in the hope that it would be opened. Some Zimbabweans who spoke on condition of anonymity said they were afraid that the police would arrest them because their asylum papers had expired. They said even those with permits which had expired have been affected because Home Affairs staff have been on strike.
Givemore Gift Nhidza went to the refugee centre at Crown Mine refugee centre in Johannesburg where he had an appointment with the director of the centre, Mr. Florencia Belvedere. However, he was beaten by the security guards manning the centre. Mr. Nhidza says, I had an appointment with the director to assist me with refugee status. When I got to the gate the security guard told me to go away since there was a strike. When I told them that I hade phoned the director who said I should come they started beating me with baton sticks all over my body and I had to seek medical attention at Johannesburg hospital which I failed to get again due to strike.
Chishamiso Ndlovu, a nurse based at Barangwanath Hospital, said she was willing to work while others were on strike, but is afraid that she might be attacked.
I risk being fired since the government has threatened to fire those on strike and not pay for the days we did not work. I wanted to work but I am afraid that I would be attacked if I go to work. Remember that another nurses car was burnt in Kwazulu-Natal while at work. Those on industrial action sing and dance at the entrance of the hospital and are stopping other workers from entering the hospital to work. I do not want to take chances, said Ndlovu.
The public servants have been on strike calling for the raising of housing allowance to R1000 per month and 8,6% salary hike. Some other Congress of South African Trade Unions have threatened to join the strike in solidarity with public servants.
Post published in: News