Bodies pile up at Germiston mortuary
A strike by forensic pathology workers has left families distressed over the delay in burying their loved ones.
Government forensic pathologists are on a strike and as a result, postmortems are delayed in state mortuaries in Gauteng.
The DA released a statement on March 13 revealing that the Germiston mortuary had 65 bodies piled up, making the mortuary the most affected by the illegal strike.
“According to a memorandum issued on March 8 by Professor Mac Lukhele, the acting head of the Gauteng Health Department, the forensic pathology officers embarked on an unprotected strike on March 7 by not carrying out their dissection and evisceration functions,” said Jack Bloom, DA Gauteng shadow health MEC.
Workers were allegedly given a final warning to resume their normal duties or face disciplinary action, because they are in contradiction of an interdict judgment by the Labour Court on December 5, 2016.
It seems that the workers’ grievances relate to unfulfilled promises after a strike in June 2016.
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“It is very distressing for families to have to wait for the burial of their loved ones because of this illegal strike,” says Bloom.
“In one case, Naledzani Netshikulwe has been desperately trying to get the body of his nephew, who died on Thursday last week.
“He has written to me as follows: ‘As a family, we need to collect the body, get the death certificate and then book the burial site, but we can’t without post-mortem results.’
“I hope that the department shows resolve in curbing this strike and ensures that the agreement reached last year concerning workers grievances is properly implemented.”
The GCN requested comment from the Gauteng Department of Health and Khutso Rabothata, communications officer for the Deputy Minister of Health’s office, said: “The department is still engaging the workers and their representatives on the matter.”
The GCN requested more comment from the department.
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