The Witness reports that members of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) intensified their calls on Thursday for Health MEC Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo to be axed.  

They held a demonstration at the department’s head office at Natalia, accusing Dhlomo of bringing the department to near collapse.  Before marching to Natalia, Nehawu members made a stop at the Pietermaritzburg police station, where they demanded an update on the criminal case they had opened against Dhlomo.  The case of inciting violence was opened after armed family members arrived at the Fort Napier mortuary and forcefully removed the body of a relative from the bodies that had been piling up at the mortuary since Nehawu members began their go-slow.  “We opened a case against Dhlomo, but they have not arrested him, yet they are quick to arrest workers who are protesting about poor working conditions.  Police are interfering in a labour dispute between employees and the department,” Nehawu regional secretary Zimasile Giyama stated.  Nehawu regional chairperson Sikhumbuzo Mdlalose, who is also Cosatu provincial chairperson, said Thursday’s demonstration at the Department of Health offices was a warning shot as they were preparing to go on strike early next year, when they would be calling for Dhlomo’s removal.

• Read Sabelo Nsele’s full report on this story at News24

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page