Dead bodies pile up at KZN mortuaries as strike goes on
Workers are protesting against low salaries, broken air-conditioners, broken toilets, old uniforms and a lack of cleaning equipment
There is currently no end in sight for the mortuary strike in KwaZulu-Natal, as a growing number of stakeholders are putting pressure on government and National Health Education and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) to end the impasse. This comes as dead bodies pile up at provincial mortuaries. More than three weeks ago angry workers at provincial government mortuaries embarked on a go-slow, protesting against low salaries, “unbearable” working conditions such as broken air-conditioners, broken toilets, old uniforms and a lack of cleaning equipment. The strike has forced families of the dead people to postpone funerals as autopsies have not been performed. Health MEC Sibongiseni Dhlomo, who is a specialist by profession, donned his uniform and surgical gloves, and performed at least two autopsies at Fort Napier medico-legal mortuary in Pietermaritzburg during the strike. The South African Medical Association (Sama), the Democratic Nursing Organisation of SA (Denosa) in KwaZulu-Natal, an...
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