Phaahla: Reports of four deaths due to healthcare workers' strike
Health Minister Joe Phaahla says they're investigating reports that four patients have died due to the work stoppage by healthcare workers affiliated to the union Nehawu.
"There are reports of South Africans who have died and whose deaths can be attributed directly to the strike."
Nurses and support staff downed tools in a nationwide strike this week, demanding a 10% pay increase.
Government has so far offered 4.7%.
The strike's affected health services in several provinces, including KZN, where the Health Department's obtained an interdict to prevent workers from blocking the entrances to hospitals, clinics and other healthcare facilities in eThekwini, KwaDukuza and Msunduzi.
Speaking in Johannesburg, Phaahla lashed out at healthcare staff who intimidated and threatened other colleagues reporting for duty.
"There are already indications here in Gauteng of specific hospitals where patients have died. There are also other reports of serious violence and violations of staff which I will not go into until I get further details."
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