Contractors who are working at Malvern Clinic held the nurses hostage after they had a financial dispute with the main contractor recently.
Cleveland police spokesperson, Constable Mpho Mashakane said the contractors also threatened to destroy the premises and damage the tools. “It is alleged that contractors who were working on the building locked the nurses and other staff members inside the premises of the clinic and threatened to burn the clinic and the trucks,” said Mashakane
“This transpired after contractors had a financial dispute with the main contractor.” He said a meeting was held with all the role players and they agreed to resolve the matter at the police station.
Meanwhile, Ward 118 councillor Neuren Pietersen said what the contractors had done was uncalled for. “It is unacceptable that contractors feel that they can use healthcare workers at the clinic to resolve their wage misunderstandings.
“They are very fortunate that Colonel Dlamini from Cleveland Police Station is not heavy-handed in his approach to law enforcement as they could be facing serious charges today. The situation was diffused quickly which informed the Colonel’s decision not to arrest the contractors who were not allowing the nursing staff to leave the premises.
“Understandably, the nursing staff are very upset with what transpired. I requested that Cleveland police keep a close watch on the clinic while the contractors remained on-site to finish the work.
It is understood that they will be finished soon and all that remains to be done is the installation of the security shutters by the end of the week. After this has been done, the fencing that has been temporarily erected on the pavement will be removed, and the residents of Ward 118 may look forward to a clean and newly renovated clinic.”
One nurse who commented anonymously feels that she is not safe at her workplace anymore. “I don’t know if I can continue to work at this clinic anymore. Whenever people have problems they will come and hold us hostage, to get their message across.”
Some residents are still shocked about what happened. “All I wanted from this place was my medication for pain, not to witness what happened,” said a patient who wanted to remain anonymous.
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