Workers attacked
Porter sustains burn wounds while nurse fights for her life
SEVERAL people are counting their losses, especially those who worked during the suspended strike.
Lebo Moathlodi, a porter at Helen Joseph Hospital, is nursing burn wounds after unknown people petrol bombed her house in Protea Glen, Soweto, early yesterday. Her crime was to go to work while her colleagues were on the streets.
Nurse Lynette Dube was yesterday fighting for her life at Milpark Hospital after she was attacked by unknown men on Saturday while reporting for duty.
The nurse, who works at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, is in intensive care in a stable condition.
Dube sustained head injuries in the attack.
Said Moathlodi: "I am not sure if I can still sleep in my house without fearing I won't see the next day.
"We are all shocked and still traumatised by this incident. I can only pray that the police will find these people and our lives can go back to normal."
Moathlodi and her family were sleeping when her husband Eric heard a big bang. He rushed to the children's bedroom and found that his wife's hair was already on fire.
"I heard a big bang come from the children's bedroom. I rushed to see what was happening and found that the room was on fire. My wife was still sleeping.
"I woke her up but her hair was alight. I rushed back to our bedroom to get our seven-year-old son who had slept in our bedroom," Moatholdi's husband said.
During the commotion that lasted more than an hour, Moathlodi was burnt on both arms. Her husband and son escaped unharmed.
The Gauteng department of health confirmed that both the attacks were related to the strike.
Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu said it was unfortunate that people had resorted to violence to have their views heard.
"We are wishing all affected a speedy recovery. We are proud to have people like them, who risked their lives to save the lives of others," she said.
Mahlangu said the department would assess the situation and provide support where necessary.
Sapa reports that Cosatu said it would not tolerate violence or threatening behaviour. Cosatu condemned the attack on the two women.
1malesia
Those nurses are indeed heroes (and all the rest who suffered at the hands of strikers). This is the side of the strike that proved to be very shameful.We like to boast on blessed with ubuntu, but it seems it is slowly being drowned by "rights". The youth truly are learning from the best, no wonder some are such a disgrace!
Report Abuse
matsosam
The unions need to take responsibility of all the damages casused by their unrully members. The innocent nurses just wanted to do what they do best, but yet some fool resort to violence.Report Abuse
Mchalino
After all these, you'd expect people to go on strike again in 21 days. Who is going to pay their bonds, cars, furniture including their Children’s education? Vavi has too much to say with very little to do. Now the Government has just shown him that he is a small fry. What did the workers expect from someone who has just got 50% salary increase? He used the workers to score political points against the ruling Party. People went on strike for extra 7 days after the last offer, nothing happened in that seven day, no increase, no pay. This is a wake up call...Vavi has used Public Servants in the same manner he uses a toilet paper.Report Abuse
THATHA
government will build her a new house, you have the right not to strike so let them help them.Report Abuse
Decolonised
Let it be a lesson for all sellouts! After all, when the wage benefits come, all benefit...phantsi ngabagundwane...phantsi!Report Abuse
lehutjo
07 Sep 2010KUKUDon't feel pity for Magundwane.
Report Abuse
when are to learn not risk with their own lives? this is like war situation and one is expected to be caught it a ceasefire
Report Abuse
Nocomment
@shark,good question lol,i found out that those ppl just want an increase to chat nt to do their job.i feel sorry for those victimised in the name of doing their jobs although they were putng their in danger.GOD is watchng.Report Abuse
lehutjo
i meant to say one expected to be caught in a crossfire situations.Report Abuse