Security protest at Ngwelezana Hospital

CONTRACTED Nendi Force security personnel at Ngwelezana Hospital downed tools on Monday for the second time over non-payment of salaries.

While the situation compromises both patients’ and staff members’ lives, private security companies contracted to the government facility are crying foul over unpaid invoices.

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In July, KZN reported the highest rand value of invoices paid after 30 days during the 2023/24 financial year, amounting to R9.5-billion.
Yet according to security personnel who visited the ZO offices on Monday, more than 200 members of staff have not been paid their September salaries.

They allege that, as of 1 October, 57 of them might be jobless as a new security contractor is expected to take over.
“The relationship between us ‘vocal’ staff and the employer has already been ruined. We wish the company would pay us last month’s salary and compensation for the eight days that we have worked this month. We can no longer work for him,” said one employee, who chose to remain anonymous.

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“I have not rented where I am staying, my child is renting too. I simply ignore calls from home because I don’t have money to give them,” said another employee.

Speaking to the ZO, Nendi Force security spokesperson Sbu Ngubane said the company is aware of the employees’ frustrations, however, the situation was beyond their control as they, in turn, have not been paid by the Department of Health.
He said their frustrations were exacerbated by the fact that the company was acting on the department’s instructions to reduce numbers.

“I feel bad for the employees, the company has even run on a negative balance trying to mitigate this issue of late payments. We have sent representatives to talk to the employees about this,” said Ngubane.