Charlotte Maxeke strike in spotlight

IN THE wake of the protests that paralysed Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital two weeks ago, stakeholders are struggling to say who should be held responsible.

Health workers descended on the hospital on May 29 demanding to be paid their 2016/17 financial year bonuses. They blocked hospital gates, interrupted theatres and trashed the hospital, causing an estimated R3 million damage.

Following the protests, the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) opened an inquiry into the events.

Stakeholders including hospital management, the SA Police Service, the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu), the Public Service Association and the provincial government were invited to share testimonies before the commission yesterday.

The commission’s Buang Jones said that by opening up the investigation, he hoped they’d be able to recommend steps to take to prevent future disruptions.

Gauteng Department of Health head Mkhululi Lukhele and Charlotte Maxeke chief executive Gladys Bogoshi, said that for several months, union workers had been protesting the fact that they did not receive their performance management and development system bonus last year.

Lukhele said the Life Esidimeni crisis had put more financial constraints on the already-stretched Gauteng Health Department.

Nehawu’s Lulamile Sibanda said this was not the first time payment of bonuses had been delayed. He said it happened almost every year.

Bogoshi and Lukhele pointed accusatory figures at the police, saying they did not help sufficiently and that the situation may have been prevented with more support.

Police spokesperson Roland Hendricks said police had been deployed immediately and were delayed from entering the hospital by fires and blocked entrances.

Lukhele said the department could improve by offering better communication, more transparency and compliance with regulations.

He reported that payment of bonuses would be made by the end of the month.