DA welcomes disciplinary action for workers who trashed Joburg hospital

15 April 2021

The Democratic Alliance welcomes the disciplinary action against 40 employees who trashed the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital in April 2018, but it is a pity that this took so long to resolve.

According to the Gauteng Health Department, 45 employees were identified through video footage who vandalised the hospital during an illegal strike, and 40 were found guilty by the presiding officer. They were given two months suspension without pay and a final written warning.

The discipline of the remaining five employees is still ongoing, and the hospital anticipates completing this by end of May.

Former Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said at the time that what happened was “pure hooliganism” and that anyone who tried to stop staff doing their duties was a “murderer”. He said he would be consulting with the Police Minister to arrest those responsible.

The then Health MEC Gwen Ramokgopa was even more dramatic saying: “This is another Life Esidimeni unfolding."

It was estimated that there was R3 million in damages.

It is disappointing that it has taken three years to discipline workers who were dumped trash and medical waste around the hospital and caused the cancellation of operations as well.

See photos attached here, here  and here

I will be following up on the criminal cases that were opened at the Hillbrow Police Station for public disturbance/violence, and malicious damage to property.

It is important that there are real consequences for those who disrupt a place of healing so that it does not happen again.

Issued by Jack Bloom, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health, 15 April 2021