WeeklySA_AdminGRIEVANCES: Termination of contracts of healthcare employees sparks week-long protests in Bloemfontein’s Botshabelo township since Monday, and blockading of local clinics…
By Molefi Sompane
Healthcare workers have disrupted services at clinics around Botshabelo in Mangaung, following the termination of 1300 contracts by Free State Health MEC Viceroy Mahlatsi.
The dismissed staff were contracted in 2020 at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. “The department is unfortunately in the situation where it cannot sustain the payment of Covid-19 salaries in view of the tight fiscal space that it finds itself in,” the MEC’s office said in a statement.
On Friday, affected health workers marched to the premier’s office, demanding to be reinstated. They also called for the premier’s resignation.
Sello Lebona, a member of the Gabriel Dichabe Clinic Committee, warned that the termination of 1300 workers may bring services to a standstill.
“Government decisions should be blamed if no clinic will be operational on Monday,” he said.
Since Monday there’s been widespread disruption of services at various clinics across Botshabelo.
Services will also be impacted by the loss of staff. Bophelong Clinic has lost five workers: two professional nurses, two auxiliary healthcare workers and one cleaner.
Winnie Mandela Clinic that operates 24 hours has lost six workers.
“We are currently understaffed, the termination was done without consulting us and we don’t know how we’ll get through this challenge. We are operating 24 hours and we don’t have enough night staff,” says Winnie Mandela Clinic manager Esther Mokhele.
Tikoe Chalale, who was working at Pelonomi hospital, says it was frustrating to be immediately dismissed.
“Pelonomi is a mega hospital, with over 20 of us dismissed, you can imagine how disturbing it is to the services. I was helping with taking tests of patients and now I’m not working,” Chalale says.
Sylvia Rapulana, a clerk at Potlako Motlohi Clinic in Botshabelo, hoped to get a permanent position. She says the termination of her contract is a slap in the face.
“You can imagine losing your job at this time of the year. Unemployment is high and you can wonder what the reason is for firing us,” says Rapulana. “They say they don’t have money but promise to bring our replacements on the first of November.”
Sources within Premier Mathae’s office claim 150 replacements have been appointed and will be starting on November 1.
Free State health department spokesperson Mondli Mvambi tells Health-e News: “A worker on contract knows that an employer may choose not to renew or hire whoever it wants. We acknowledge the need to have enough staff at all facilities but we cannot do so due to issues relating to budget and performance.”
In a statement on Tuesday, MEC Mahlatsi called on residents to “protect public properties that are often targeted”.
“While the department will be negatively affected by the non-extension of Covid-19 contracts as at the end of October 2024, it would be improper to let people continue working when their salaries won’t be paid,” the statement reads. – Health-e News
Mirror Briefs
CHILD SUPPORT WARNING
Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Thembi Simelane says the days of those who have been shirking their responsibilities and not paying maintenance are numbered.“We are indeed coming for them,” said Simelane, who was speaking at the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Maintenance Online Listing of Defaulters held in Johannesburg on Friday. She said the signing was historic, as it heralded a new era in the quest to ensure that maintenance defaulters have no place to hide.
“There is no doubt that the failure to pay maintenance has a negative impact on the best interests of our children and it also undermines the child’s right to be maintained.
“The Constitution protects and provides in section 28(2)… that ‘a child’s best interests are of paramount importance in every matter concerning the child.’ “Section 15(3)(a) of the Maintenance Act creates an obligation on both parents to support their children proportionately in accordance with their financial means.
“However, and notwithstanding this provision, many parents still fail to support their children and this failure negatively impacts on the children’s rights to maintenance, which includes the provision of food, accommodation, education, health and clothes,” the Minister said. – SA News
MAKANA GRAFT: SIU STEPS IN
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has searched and collected evidence related to allegations of serious maladministration at the Makana Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape.
This after it obtained a warrant to search the premises of the municipality yesterday.
“At 9 am on Friday, 01 November, the SIU, assisted by the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation, commonly known as the Hawks, entered the municipality’s premises to collect evidence that is in line with Proclamation 207 of 2024 authorised the SIU to investigate allegations of serious maladministration,” the unit said in a statement. The SIU and Hawks collected documentation and equipment required for audit or compliance purposes concerning successful tenders from 1 January 2019 to 18 October 2024, as stipulated in Proclamation 207 of 2024.
“This includes comprehensive records such as company registration documents, all forms of payment documentation (invoices, purchase orders, remittance advice), and devices—such as laptops, mobile devices, external storage, or media used by relevant committees, officials, or employees.
“The documentation also extends to any electronic data stored on these devices, including emails and cloud storage, covering current and outdated devices associated with specific personnel and posts.”
The warrant was granted by the Grahamstown Magistrate Court.
FREIGHT, LOGISTICS PAY DEAL
The Road Freight and Logistics Industry (NBCRFLI) has concluded a two-year wage agreement, and ensured the extension of the agreement by the Minister of Employment and Labour to non-parties. The agreement will see industry workers receive an across-the-board increase of 7% in the first year (March 1, 2025 to February 28, 2026), including extended bargaining unit (EBU) employees up to Paterson Grade B4. EBU employees in Paterson Grade C1 will receive a 6% increase.
In year two (March 1, 2026 to February 28, 2027) all employees, including EBU employees up to Paterson Grade B4, will receive a 6% increase. EBU employees in Paterson Grade C1 will be allocated a 5% increase. In addition, the agreement will ensure workers receive an across-the-board increase of 7% in year one, and 6% in year two on consolidated allowances; night shift allowances; subsistence and cross border allowances; and dangerous goods allowances.
The signatories to the agreement are the Motor Transport Workers Union of South Africa, the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union, the Road Freight Association, and the National Employers ‘Association of South Africa. – Irma Venter/Fullview
FIFA CUP SPONSOR NAMED
DUBAI, UAE — Hisense, a leading brand in global consumer electronics and home appliances, announced it has entered into an official partnership for the new FIFA Club World Cup™.
The announcement was made today at a special event at Shanghai Tower attended by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström, and Hisense Group Chairman Jia Shaoqian. Speaking at the partnership launch, FIFA President Gianni Infantino said: “We are delighted to welcome Hisense, a global market-leading brand, as an Official Partner of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™. Hisense’s commitment to innovation and technology aligns with our vision for this tournament, which will bring together the 32 best teams from around the world for an unforgettable celebration of our game that will revolutionise club football.” “This partnership will offer fans unique ways to engage with the tournament, both on and off the pitch, while laying a technological and innovation-led foundation for the FIFA Club World Cup to flourish.”
The new FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ will unite the world’s 32 top clubs every four years. The partnership with this inaugural edition of the tournament will provide the perfect platform for Hisense to further grow its global brand among fans of the world’s most popular sport and club teams, and to showcase the state-of-the-art technology and appliances with Hisense TVs to be visible across the tournament.
Hisense Group Chairman Jia Shaoqian added: “We are proud to be an Official Partner of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™, which is a competition among the top clubs from all six confederations, representing a dialogue between champions, a collision of first-class excellence. This perfectly aligns with Hisense’s pursuit of the champion spirit and our latest corporate goal to build a world-class enterprise and brand.” – WSA Reporter
