New health boss a no-show

20/07/2015 Durban Memorundum of Emergency Medical Rescue Services was recieved by Dumisani Nyembe on behalf of the Department. PICTURE: SIBUSISO NDLOVU

20/07/2015 Durban Memorundum of Emergency Medical Rescue Services was recieved by Dumisani Nyembe on behalf of the Department. PICTURE: SIBUSISO NDLOVU

Published Jul 21, 2015

Share

Durban - Relations between the new KZN Department of Health head and its paramedics have started on a sour note, with the EMS workers considering his no-show for a “meet and greet” a slap in the face.

About 200 off-duty Emergency Medical Rescue workers marched to the Durban city hall on Monday to present a memorandum consisting of hundreds of pages to Dr Sifiso Mtshali, who began his duties as the head of the KZN health department at the beginning of this month.

Their “desire was to meet with him (Mtshali) in order to bring our side of the story to his attention”, read the memorandum. It was accepted by the department’s labour relations manager, Dumisani Nyembe, much to the ire of the marchers.

Nupsaw’s national general secretary, Success Mataitsane, said: “We are disappointed, but not surprised that the HOD did not come meet us himself. Instead, he sent us their lawyer; that just shows that how much the department undermines us.” He lambasted Mtshali for his “negative attitude”, despite being new in his position.

Grievances included the department’s use of attorneys in disciplinary hearings against employees, as well as danger and overtime pay.

Daily News

Related Topics: