2009-07-30: City condemns acts of violence and intimidation

2009-07-30: City condemns acts of violence and intimidation

THE City of Johannesburg has condemned acts of violence and intimidation by union members taking part in the local government strike.

This comes after the City was forced to shut 12 of its 87 primary health care clinics on Thursday, following reports of intimidation of non-striking health workers.

In one incident, nurses were on duty on the 29th July 2009 at Protea Glen Clinic when four unknown men armed with “knobkerries and sjamboks” attacked them while on duty and attending to the patients. The assailants enquired from the staff why they were on duty when everybody has joined the strike action.

Two staff members, clinic manager and administration clerk were sjamboked. They were treated at Tshepo Themba Clinic and discharged after examination. The assaulted staff members were extremely traumatized and the City Health Department had to refer them to the employee assistance programme for counseling. A case of assault was opened at Protea Glen Police Station. Report of intimidation of clinic staff had been received from several clinics across the City.

Members of the public in affected clinics are advised to visit the nearest provincial health clinics and community health centres for primary health care.

The City of Johannesburg supports the right of workers to exercise their rights as enshrined in our country’s Constitution and the Labour Relations Act. However, in the exercise of this fundamental right, it expects both unions to ensure that those involved in the strike, respect and uphold the rights of those that have elected not to strike and in particular essential services personnel.

The City condemn this conduct and behaviour by strikers and calls up on the leadership and members of both unions to refrain from any act of intimidation or lawlessness whilst exercising their right to strike.

The City Health Department apologizes to the public for any inconvenience and is doing everything humanly possible to minimize the service delivery disruption.

ENDS

For more information contact:

Nthatisi Modingoane

Deputy Director: Communications

CITY OF JOHANNESBURG

Tel: (011) 407 7354

Fax: 403 3494

Cell: 082 467 9228

E-mail: nthatisem@joburg.org.za