Despite reports that lives are being lost due to the ongoing Nehawu strike, the union has cited non-violence and proceeded for the fourth day. National Health Department spokesperson Foster Mohale said that, Health Minister Joe Phaahla received a report about patient deaths during the strike. He said this is the report that the minister got when he visited Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, that some death reports in Gauteng could be linked to the strike action by Nehawu members. "We got a broad report, so we went back to get the full briefing and also to visit other health facilities for us to gauge the impact of the strike." He said, the department is seeking legal advice. "As indicated by the minister yesterday, we are seeking legal advice because this is going to be a legal matter as soon as we have established the full facts about the reported deaths. However we have obtained a court interdict that was immediately effective as of Wednesday night.

?PREGNANT WOMAN DIES?

Reports state that Thandokuhle Mlotshwa was deprived of medical care for hours while paramedics tried to get her emergency help. It is alleged that a pregnant Mlotshwa had gone to one of her antenatal checkups at Grey hospital in KwaZulu Natal but was turned back by protesters. As she was leaving, she was knocked by a car. A Private Ambulance took her to Northdale Hospital, but it is alleged that she spent hours on the ambulance stretcher before obtaining medical assistance at the facility and unfortunately later succumbed to her injuries.

NOT VIOLENT

Nehawu national spokesperson Lwazi Nkolozi said they had noted the interdict by the department of Health and that their lawyer was studying it. "We are continuing with our strike and we are continuing with the demonstrations and pickets across the country," he said. Nkolozi said they noted that the department of health has gone to court for an interdict but they must also clarify one thing, the interdict is not interdicting them against the strike. "It says it interdicts us from violence and as Nehawu we have not been violent. Our lawyers are studying the interdict and will advise on the way forward on the interdict, but the strike continues. Our members are out demonstrating in various workplaces across the country just like we have been picketing. They have made sure that they come out in numbers and they do withdraw their labour. Our members are more resolute because they are quite certain now that the government is using all avenues to frustrate their genuine demands and the momentum is growing by the day. The reports from provinces and regions are that the momentum is growing every day," Nkolozi added.

Nehawu served the department with a notice to strike on 24 February after wage negotiations deadlocked. The department offered a 4.7% increase while unions demanded between 10% and 12%.