South Rand Hospital must terminate contracts of all outsourced service providers. This is a demand made by the ANC Johannesburg Regional spokesperson Simphiwe Hlafa, alongside over 100 locals.
Hlafa, who has spearheaded a few protests in demanding the ‘inclusion and prioritisation of locals’ in community projects, says the hospital must terminate all outsourced contracts who provide security, meat supply, bread supply, linen and bed supply, stationery and maintenance services.
These contracts, according to the largest party branch secretary for Ward 56, must be given to locals who ‘have been suffocated and excluded for many years now regardless of colour.’
Hlafa said ongoing engagements with the provincial and the national health department have resulted in a clear indication of progress.
The Ward 56 ANC spokesman said the community, especially Ward 56, was economically depressed and underdeveloped. “Evidently, black-dominated sections of Ward 56 community where levels of crime are high, are the ones that literally experience the wrath of unemployment and poverty.”
Hlafa said institutions who are capacitated to address issues of unemployment and poverty and develop the community to empower local residents, were operating in the black dominated communities yet not affording academically qualified employable locals opportunities.
A much-awaited response to demands submitted by locals, including Hlafa, to the South Rand Hospital will shed light on whether another mass march to the hospital’s premises will be on the cards.
South Rand Hospital CEO Dr Nobantu Maleka, who came to address the issues tabled on February 16, assured the protesters that she would report their grievances to the board of directors and provide feedback.
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