The “inhumane working conditions” at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital in Umlazi, Durban, need urgent intervention from Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane, the Public Servants Association of South Africa (PSA) has demanded.
PSA provincial chairperson Mlungisi Ndlovu, members are demanding Simelane visit the hospital, adding that it has written “countless” letters complaining about the state of the facility.
In a letter addressed to the head of the KwaZulu-Natal Health Department, Dr Sandile Tshabalala, he said issues include dangerously deteriorating infrastructure and buildings, inadequate facilities and internal issues with the hospital management.
There are also severe shortages of nurses, doctors and admin support due to a moratorium on filling positions, compromising patient care and staff well-being, while robberies and hijackings are commonplace.
“Long queues and unsafe parking are causing frustration and anxiety for patients and staff, and there are ongoing car break-ins, indicating a lack of security. Additionally, ill-treatment of staff, including bullying and intimidation, is creating a toxic work environment.”
The unions had urgently requested a meeting with the Health Department in June to discuss the issues as well as to investigate allegations of victimisation, bullying, and staff shortages, he said.
In another letter, Ndlovu wrote that 29 ICU staff had been told by HR they would have salary deductions for leave without pay, despite them all being in possession of medical certificates.
“These deductions were upon the instruction of management…more than 50% of their basic salary.”
This, he added, was a direct violation of Section 34(1) of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA), which prohibits employers from making deductions from an employee’s remuneration without their written consent, except where the deduction is required or permitted by law, collective agreement, court order, or arbitration award.
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