More than 50 nurses have been evicted from what was meant to be temporary accommodation at Livingstone Hospital, forcing many to scramble for places in nearby townships they say are unsafe and unaffordable, reports Central News.
The Eastern Cape Department of Health said the limited – and temporary – accommodation is meant for short-term stays only, designed for those in real need, like trainees or short-term staff.
After getting a court order from the Eastern Cape High Court (Gqeberha) in October last year, the department had warned the nurses they had to be out by 31 January 2026 at the latest. It called their ongoing stay illegal occupation.
Many of the affected nurses came from other provinces, drawn to jobs at the hospital during the pandemic. They said they had initially been housed in the nurses’ home on short-term contracts, but when the contracts turned permanent in 2022, the department ended the rental deals.
The nurses say they did not get proper notice or any help in finding new accommodation. They said their take-home pay, often around R20 000 to R30 000 a month after deductions, barely covers basics like food, transport, and school fees, let alone rental in a safe spot.
The Health and Other Services Personnel Trade Union (Hospersa) said the evictions broke agreements that promised housing for nurses recruited from outside the province.
“These workers were brought here to help during a crisis, and now they’re tossed aside without proper notice or support,” a union rep said.
Central News article – Over 50 Nurses Evicted from Livingstone Hospital (Open access)
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