Daily News reports that the ongoing strike by members of the National Education Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) in the social development department is delaying justice for many awaiting-trial prisoners and families of the victims of crime.
Nehawu members are demanding more favourable working conditions and salary increases. Court cases requiring reports by social workers have had to be adjourned, some for more than two months. Such reports are used by the courts to help determine a criminal’s sentence. On Wednesday, advocate Moipone Noko, the KZN provincial director of public prosecutions, confirmed that the Nehawu strike had caused delays in many cases that needed the services of social workers. She said it was not only the criminal courts that had been affected, but the children’s courts, adoption and foster care processes. The strike has reportedly also caused disruptions in child and youth care centres.
- Read this report by Sne Masuku in full at Daily News
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