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The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union [NEHAWU] in the KwaZulu-Natal province notes with serious concern the reckless allegations made by the Premier, Mr Sihle Zikalala, about illegal strikes in healthcare institutions by workers and that some faceless people are using the COVID-19 pandemic 19 “to pursue their own narrow and selfish agendas”. 

These allegations were made during a press conference convened by the Provincial Command Council yesterday to brief the media about measures put in place to deal with the outbreak of corona virus in the province. 

NEHAWU has always highlighted the horrible working condition of our members and workers which existed long before the outbreak of the virus. The corona virus has presented new challenges to our members and workers. Even when faced with life threatening situations coupled with exhaustion, lack of mental health services and counselling, unreliable public transport etc. they have continue to serve the province of KwaZulu-Natal with dedication. It is for these reasons that we find it abhorrent that the Premier would refer to genuine workers’ demands as “narrow and selfish agendas”

The issue of the lack of Personal Protective Equipment [PPEs] has always been a thorny issue and has led to the infection of workers in both public and private healthcare institutions. It is not an imaginary problem as the Premier would like to believe. The voice of workers can never be silenced especially when they are crying to be protected from the virus. 

It is important to note that since the outbreak of COVID-19 the Premier has never made an effort to meet with NEHAWU after many attempts were made by the union to meet with him. We are therefore not surprised that the he is not up to date nor is he in possession of facts about the shortages of PPEs. NEHAWU has even sourced sponsorships and donated PPEs to various institutions across the province as part protecting its members and workers from contracting the virus. 

NEHAWU calls on the Premier to unmask these people he claims are using the demands of workers to further their ulterior motives. Visits to healthcare facilities are very important and we believe that the Premier has not been visiting these institutions with a view to monitor their progress in dealing with the virus. This would have assisted the Premier with facts rather than to make baseless accusations. 

We will stop at nothing to expose half-truths and raise alarm when those in the position of authority have dropped the ball. NEHAWU will do everything in its power including using resources at its disposal to defend its members and workers.  

NEHAWU therefore calls on the Premier to withdraw his reckless statement and apologise to health workers within the next twenty four hours.

Issued by NEHAWU KZN