South Africa News

Strikes at KZN govt mortuaries not off the table

A crippling strike at all government mortuaries in KwaZulu-Natal is not off the table – yet. That’s the word from the Public and Allied Workers Union of South Africa, Pawusa.

The union is set to meet with provincial health authorities on Monday over worker conditions. Employees at Durban’s Gale Street mortuary embarked on an illegal strike this week causing a frustrating backlog. They are complaining about the re-reinstatement of a manager suspended in 2016.

government mortuaries

Employees had complained about her management style and alleged misconduct. Pawusa KZN Secretary Halalisani Gumede says, “The workers were not comfortable to see her here because many issues are revolving around her.

KZN Health HOD Sandile Shabalala added that the Health Department didn’t find any wrongdoing by the said manager. Health authorities also promise all affected families will be able to bury their loved ones this weekend.

Despite things going back to normal this week, the union says next week could be different. Health authorities claim they have contingency plans should the strike continue at Gale Street.

In other news – Hundreds freed from Nigerian torture house

Nearly 500 men and boys have been rescued from a building in the northern city of Kaduna, where the detainees were allegedly s-e-xually abused and tortured, Nigerian police said.

Nigerian torture house

Children as young as five were among those in chains at what was thought to be an Islamic school, officers said. Kaduna police chief Ali Janga told the BBC the building was raided after a tip-off about suspicious activity. Read more

Source: eNCA