KZN Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane has called for disciplinary action against staff at Pietermaritzburg’s Northdale Hospital after a video of them cooking over a fire outside during a widespread power outage went viral.
During the outage, although three backup generators immediately activated, one malfunctioned – affecting the kitchen.
The MEC said the protocol was for staff to seek assistance from nearby hospitals, and that cooking food outside with firewood violated food safety and contingency protocols.
She described it as “unacceptable and contrary to our stringent food safety and contingency protocols”.
“In light of this breach, I have already asked the department to take the necessary disciplinary steps against those responsible.”
The MEC assured the public that “Northdale Hospital remains fully operational”, and dismissed rumours linking patient deaths to the outage.
“There is no truth to allegations connecting patient deaths to the power outage…and I can confirm that mortuary operations maintained normal functionality throughout the incident.”
The power was restored the same day.
Simelane also announced that broader renovations at the hospital are under way.
“The appointment of a contractor for roof and other renovations is in progress, with work set to start next week,” she told The Witness.
Chairperson of the Northdale Hospital Board Hlalani Zondi praised staff for ensuring patients were not turned away during the outage, despite difficult conditions. Some staff used cellphone torches to care for patients in darkened corridors.
The Witness article – Health MEC intervenes in Northdale Hospital Crisis (Open access)
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