The protesters who had forced about 200 health department employees out of their Pretoria CBD offices for almost two weeks were evicted on Saturday.
The protesters allegedly demanded jobs and refused to leave the Fedsure Forum Building leading to some camping out in the foyer.
The building is used by the Tshwane Health District Services department which services 77 clinics.
The Pretoria High Court has since granted an interdict against the protesters.
According to DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health Jack Bloom, about 40 people started the sit-in protest three weeks ago.
Bloom alleged that during the sit-in, Gauteng health employees were harassed and their work was severely disrupted.
“Things became increasingly difficult, and since July 14 the 200 staff members had to be relocated elsewhere to try and do their work.”
Bloom feared that newly employed clinic workers would not receive their wages for July if the human resource unit at the Fedsure building could not access their offices in time.
“Both the department and the landlord have laid criminal charges.”
“The DA will be taking this up with the police to ensure that the health staff can do their jobs without threats and hindrance.”
Gauteng health department spokesperson Motalatale Modibe said the protesters had unlawfully occupied the district offices, affecting operations.
“Staff had to report to work at other health facilities across the district.”
Modiba also confirmed that the protesters were demanding employment by the district.
“The department had previously embarked on an extensive consultative process which involved contract employees, unions, and the provincial Treasury.”
“The process led to the absorption of 8 619 community health workers who were on contract into permanent posts. This process was concluded in July 2020.”
He said, thereafter, the department started receiving requests for employment from people claiming to have been community health workers.
He said it was this group that staged the sit-in protest.
Modibe said the police were unable to remove the protesters despite the department reporting the illegal occupation of the building.
“The department then sought a court interdict against the protesters which was granted by Friday, for them to immediately vacate the offices.”
The interdict forbids the following:
– A sit/sleep-in protest in the affected area
– Any threats of assault or bodily injury against the employees of the Gauteng health department
– Any action that prevents the employees from doing their work in the affected area
– Causing a nuisance to the Fedsure Forum Building and its employees
– Consuming food and causing unpleasant smells within the building
– Damaging and interfering with the offices and equipment, and damaging and interfering with the Veniogyn property
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