ARMY MEDICAL teams were once again forced to man hospitals across South Africa yesterday when protesting public servants ignored a court order to keep essential services open during their indefinite strike.
The government secured a court interdict on Saturday to stop strikers blockading hospital entrances and to ensure all essential services were provided during the industrial action – now in its eighth day – that has closed schools and other public facilities.
The unions have condemned the government’s decision to approach the courts, saying they should negotiate with them. Protesters in several provinces appear to be ignoring the injunction.
Police say they were forced to fire rubber bullets at unruly protesters outside Durban’s Addington hospital in Kwazulu-Natal province after people seeking care were refused entry by union members. The authorities were also forced to intervene against striking civil servants blocking entrances to hospitals in Gauteng and the Eastern Cape provinces.
Up to 80 protesters were arrested nationwide and some were taken to hospital with rubber bullet wounds.
The South African Nursing Council, a statutory body tasked with representing the public on health service matters, told reporters in Durban yesterday many nurses wanted to work but were afraid of striking colleagues.
The Congress of South African Trade Unions and the Independent Labour Caucus called its 1.3 million members out on strike early last week after rejecting the government’s offer of a 7 per cent salary increase and a €54 a month housing allowance.