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ANC slams mass action

THE ANC has lashed out at public service doctors who continue to strike despite the government's new proposals on salary adjustments.

THE ANC has lashed out at public service doctors who continue to strike despite the government's new proposals on salary adjustments.

"The ANC is disappointed at the irresponsible conduct of the striking doctors who continue to cripple the functioning of public health in South African hospitals with what appears to be incoherent, sporadic rolling mass action," ANC spokesperson Jessie Duarte said yesterday.

"If the death of Gauteng accident victim Mavis Ncube, who died after being turned away by two state hospitals, is anything to go by the striking doctors have lost public trust and respect.

"Doctors have neglected carrying out their noble duty. While the ANC has empathy for the striking doctors, utter disregard for the sick and dying cannot go unchallenged. Amid a global recession the ANC-led government has shown a commitment to addressing the wage dispute by making an affordable offer," Duarte said.

Duarte called on the striking doctors to return to work and resolve outstanding issues through the bargaining chamber.

The DA's shadow minister of health, Mike Waters, visited the strikers and praised them for "conducting themselves in a professional and responsible manner".

Two major unions in the public service bargaining council called on the doctors to go back to work.

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