SABC News reports that a strike by National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) members at St Thomas School for the Deaf in the Eastern Cape has affected the first day of exams.  

The support staff, including housekeepers, cleaners, cooks and security officers, have since September refused to work during weekends.  They claim that they are not getting paid double when working on Sunday, as per the law.  Learners who reside at the boarding facilities of the school did not have their breakfast on Tuesday morning as workers had downed tools.  The striking members have barricaded entrances, refusing to allow teachers to enter the school.  They have refused to open the gates until they get a clear indication from the authorities as to when they will get their money.  Some educators, who are locked outside the premises, said they were concerned that learners who were supposed to write exams could be negatively affected by this.

• A short report by Lubabalo Dada is at SABC News

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