Joburg hospital trashing - no arrests or disciplinary action a year later

No arrests have been made after protesters invaded Charlotte Maxeke Academic hospital in Johannesburg on May 31 2018.
No arrests have been made after protesters invaded Charlotte Maxeke Academic hospital in Johannesburg on May 31 2018.
Image: ALON SKUY

There have been no arrests or disciplinary action against staff who downed tools and trashed Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital in a dispute over bonuses more than a year ago.

Gauteng health MEC Bandile Masuku confirmed this in a written reply to questions by DA MLP Jack Bloom in the provincial legislature.

"I am outraged at the inexcusable delay in disciplinary and police action even though 16 employees were identified by the CCTV cameras, and are still working for the hospital," Bloom said in a statement on Sunday.

"How can it be that workers who threatened others and caused damage of more than R3m are still working for the hospital? There has to be accountability and consequences, otherwise people will feel free to trash the hospital again when they have another grievance," he added.

During the protest, black bags containing rubbish ranging from paper to half-eaten food were emptied along the hospital corridors, rocks were used to disrupt ambulances transporting patients and tyres were burnt in front of the facility.

Bloom said the department confirmed that formal disciplinary action had not been "taken yet”. Investigating officers were appointed but there were "delays resuming investigations". 

Corridors were strewn with rubbish.
Corridors were strewn with rubbish.
Image: supplied

"Criminal cases were opened at the Hillbrow police station for public disturbance/violence, and malicious damage to property, but there have been no arrests as 'the police are still investigating',” he said.

Former health minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi expressed outrage over the incident, which disrupted operations at the time.

“If I could find a person working here as a cleaner or a general worker or whatever that has got the audacity to go into theatre and stop people from performing operations‚ that person is a murderer‚” Motsoaledi said during a media briefing at the hospital.

“Strikes have got rules and they follow a particular pattern. This was just sheer acts of hooliganism where people have gone mad against their fellow human beings, why should we trust such human beings? They are not human anymore," he said.

Bloom said he suspected the department had been trying to cover up the incident, but he would fight 'relentlessy' to ensure those implicated were fired and taken to court. 

Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.