Charlotte Maxeke Hospital 'open for business'
The Charlotte Maxeke Hospital in Johannesburg has denied reports that it has been forced to shut its doors due to strike action by nurses.
The Democratic Alliance's (DA) Jack Bloom warned of a possible shutdown at the weekend.
"I am extremely concerned by threats that the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital will be closed by striking workers this Wednesday. Staff and patients have told me that these threats have been widely publicised in the hospital and are causing anxiety".
Members from the National Health Education and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) are locked in a dispute with the hospital over non-payment of overtime and performance bonuses as well as unfilled vacancies.
But the hospital's Lungi Mvumvu says it is business as usual.
"I would like to assure our clients that the hospital is open and services are running smoothly. All our employees are back at work and we as management are continuously engaging with organised labour leadership to get a resolution to the problems they have pointed out.
"I appeal and plead with everyone to please stop spreading rumours because you are threatening our staff, not only our patients even our staff as well. We will take every care possible to ensure our patients are staff are safe.