Saturday Star reports that when Gauteng Social Development Department MEC Nandi Mayathula-Khoza arrived at the Ga-Rankuwa Rearabilwe child and youth care centre on Friday, she found frightened and hungry children “abandoned” by striking social workers.  

Padlocks had been put on the gates and mounds of burning tyres and stones were around the entrances to ensure that anyone who was inside would be locked in, unable to get out - for four days.  Mayathula-Khoza and senior officials visited four places of safety and child and youth care centres in Ga-Rankuwa and Soshanguve that were “negatively impacted” by the countrywide social workers’ strike, organised by the National Health Education and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu).  She was “horrified” by what she saw.  Social workers are demanding an increase in salaries and other benefits.  In Gauteng, about 600 social workers are now striking.  On Thursday, the Department of Social Development was granted a court interdict against Nehawu, which the union described as “bullying tactics”.

• Read this report by Sheree Bega in full at Saturday Star

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