By OBAKENG MAJE
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in North West said the victimisation of staff at Christiana Hospital is uncalled for. This comes in the wake of allegations that three employees were dismissed without following proper procedure.
The EFF provincial spokesperson, Fanon Moema said his party is deeply shocked by the resurgence of apartheid-era tactics that victimise those with dissenting views in this era of constitutional democracy under the ANC-led government.
“Three employees, who served the North West Department of Health in the capacity of professional nurses and workers’ representatives at the Christiana Hospital, have been dismissed from work without any adherence to disciplinary processes.
“Based on the information available to us, these employees were terminated from the department on 10 March 2023, with their salaries already halted at the end of February 2023. This indicates a premeditated decision to dismiss them, even before any official dismissal letters were issued,” said Moema.
He further said these three employees, Tsholofelo Makuapane, Sylvester Moruri and Masabatha Bonakele acted as union representatives at the hospital. Moema added that, their termination means they have lost their primary source of income, which they depended on to support their families, all in the line of duty defending workers’ rights.
“It is deeply disheartening that workers continue to face such adversities under a democratic government. They are subjected to dismissals without being granted the basic right to a hearing. It’s public knowledge that workers at the hospital took matters into their own hands to address the blatant corruption within.
“In 2021, these workers sought clarity regarding the sluggish progress tied to the hospital renovation contract. This delay ultimately culminated in the unfortunate complete burning down of the hospital, for which, to date, no one has been held accountable,” said Moema.
He said these workers, through their union representatives, aired their concerns to the department, demanding accountability. Moema said that, the department chose to turn a blind eye and proceeded to dismiss these vocal workers without granting them a hearing.
“At no juncture did the department provide these workers with a letter of intention to suspend or invite them to a disciplinary hearing, where they could present their perspective. It remains our steadfast view that, these workers are being victimised to silence their genuine concerns about the facility’s management.
“The affected workers, with the support of their union, have approached the labour court to challenge their unjust dismissal. Six months have passed, and these individuals remain without a salary, a strategy seemingly designed to exhaust their resources and will to see this challenge through to its rightful conclusion,” he said.
Moema said as EFF, they urgently demand the immediate reinstatement of these workers. He said the department’s rash decision, bypassing due process, seriously undermines its credibility.
“Furthermore, we call for a comprehensive forensic audit to expose any underlying misconduct within the North West Department of Health with a particular focus on the Christiana District Hospital and the Sekhing Community Health Centre,” said Moema.
Meanwhile, the North West Department of Health spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgethwane said: “The department is aware of the matter and it has been taken through the disciplinary processes. Their matters are before the MEC for final consideration. Since the MEC is still applying his mind on the matter, the department does not wish to comment any further.”
The Guardian 