WATCH: Security threats at Ngwelezana Hospital

The National, Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU) in the Bheki Mkhize region has called on the government to insource security and cleaning services to prevent any disruptions, especially at hospitals.

The union’s regional secretary, Siya Ndlela made this call outside Ngwelezana Hospital on Tuesday after scores of private security guards went on an hour-long strike, complaining about unpaid salaries for August.

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“Even though they are about to return to their post, our members, such as doctors, nurses and other staff members, have been exposed. Today is the day where psyche patients are expected to attend their clinic, and the question is how are they going to operate without security personnel?

“Not so long ago, an intern doctor and nurse were stabbed by a patient at this hospital, and a nurse was assaulted at Empangeni Clinic by a patient. That is why we are calling on the government to insource these services,” he said.

Guards returned to their posts after their company promised to pay their salaries on Friday. They threatened that if they did not get paid on the stipulated day, they would initiate a full-blown strike.