Caught in the crossfire
Durban Gen falls apart in the middle of a nurse strike that leads to a nasty attack on the skeleton-crew caregivers.
After weeks of their complaints falling on deaf ears, the nurses at Durban Gen hospital are left with no other option than to set their long-overdue strike in motion this fortnight. Their refusal to work comes after Phumeza’s (Tsidi Makitle) suspension – without notice or pay – in mid April following a patient being injured while under her care.
“In the past, doctors failed to follow protocol during surgery and a patient died, yet there were no disciplinary measures taken against them. Instead, the matter was swept under the carpet. The nurses demand the same grace for Phumeza,” says Nombulelo Mhlongo, who’s outspoken character Sne is at the helm of the nursing strike.
Rather than attend to the nurses’ grievances, the hospital’s management hires stand-ins, which makes matters worse. “By replacing the nurses so fast, the hospital is sending a message: the staff are replaceable. It’s disheartening,” adds Nombulelo. But the nurses aren’t going down without a fight.
FALLING APART AT THE SEAMS
Without the nurses on call, the hospital begins to crumble. “The stand-ins have no clue of how the hospital is run. They are all over the place, causing a ripple effect,” explains Nombulelo. The skeleton crew aren’t recording prescriptions, updating patient files and administering medication properly, there’s a flood of needy patients who demand help as they’ve either forgotten to take their medication or they’ve taken the wrong pills altogether. “The doctors battle to keep up with the increased workload. It’s chaotic,” reveals Nombulelo, adding that the nursing staff believe that their absence will prove that they’re as important as the doctors. However, when the nurses are ignored yet again, they take extreme measures to be heard.
WAGING A WAR
Irritated that their replacements aren’t budging, the striking nurses confront the new nurses and in the heat of the moment, a brick is thrown at a stand-in nurse. “It’s not known who’s responsible for the violent act,” says Nombulelo. Phumeza is caught in the crossfire while she’s at the hospital for a meeting. “She tries to break up a fight but she’s arrested when the police arrive,” explains the actress. Now, the nurses must work together to clear Phumeza’s name and ensure she doesn’t lose her job for good. “Phumeza’s fate hangs in the balance, but her co-workers are still going ahead with the strike.” Considering that Durban Gen is sinking without the nurses, will the management cave into the caregivers demands?
PREVIOUSLY
Nomalanga was furious that her colleague Lindelani discharged a patient without her consent, Bab’Gumede was under attack from someone from his past, and the nurses planned a go-slow.
5 – 7 MAY
The tension at Durban Gen escalates when the nurses threaten to take their fight to the next level, and Bab’Gumede is afraid that his actions will come to light after his son Calvin befriends someone troubling. Lindelani is forced to disclose an unsettling truth that could destroy his working relationship with Nomalanga, and the nurses announce that they’re going on a toolsdown strike at the hospital.
10 – 14 MAY
The strike turns violent and an innocent person is arrested, and Sne’s antics land her in serious trouble at Durban Gen. Bab’Gumede’s guilt takes over and he considers revealing that he has an illegitimate son, and the hospital faces public backlash following a fight between the permanent nurses and the stand-in crew. Sne’s online secret admirer sends her a flirty message, and Calvin and Bab’Gumede’s father-son bond is ruined by Bab’Gumede’s revelation. The nursing staff resume their jobs at the hospital but their happiness is short-lived, and a near-death incident brings the medical team together.
17 – 18 MAY
Bab’Gumede has nowhere to hide when his raging wife MaCele questions him about his illegitimate son and why he chose to lie to her for all these years. Sne ignores the red flags waving in her face regarding her online crush, and two friends make amends.
CAST: Bab’Gumede Sifiso Sibiya •Bab’Mzobe Eric Hadebe •Calvin Bhekisizwe Mahlawe •Doctor Ndlovu Bheki Sibiya •Lindelani
Zulu Mike Ndlangamandla •MaCele Monica Thuli Zulu •MacGyver Mxolisi Zulu Boy Majozi •MaMkhize Bongekile Ndaba •Mandla Ngcobo Thulane Shange •Matron Nobuhle Nkabinde Zimiphi
Biyela •Mbali Mthethwa Nelisiwe Sibiya •Mnqobi Mchunu Fanele Zulu •Ndabezinhle Luthuli Lerato Nxumalo •Nomalanga Qwabe Duduzile Ngcobo •Phumeza Tsidi Makitle •Precious Dlamini Lihle Dhlomo •Sibusiso Dlamini Ntando Mncube •Sne Nombulelo Mhlongo
•Thandekile Zondo Fanele Ntuli •Thandeka Zondo Fanele Luthuli
•Thabo Meshack Mavuso