The NEHAWU March in Gauteng: Healthcare Workers Demand Action on Corruption, Maladministration, and Crumbling Infrastructure

Johannesburg – Hundreds of healthcare workers affiliated with the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU) took to the streets of Johannesburg on Friday, 3 October 2025, in a provincial day of action aimed at highlighting the deepening crisis in Gauteng’s public health system. The march, which started at Gandhi Square and proceeded to the Gauteng Department of Health offices, culminated in the delivery of a memorandum of demands to MEC for Health, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko. Union members voiced frustration over long-standing issues that they say have led to the collapse of healthcare services, leaving both workers and communities in dire straits.

The protest comes amid growing concerns about the state of hospitals in the province, where patients face leaking roofs, stalled infrastructure projects, and inadequate staffing. NEHAWU has accused the department of ignoring repeated calls for dialogue, forcing the union to escalate its efforts through public action. With the march drawing participants from various health facilities, it underscores the urgent need for reforms to restore quality care for Gauteng’s residents.

Key Demands in the Memorandum: Tackling Systemic Failures

The memorandum handed over to the MEC outlines a series of demands focused on addressing what NEHAWU describes as a crisis characterised by maladministration, corruption, dilapidated infrastructure, staff shortages, and poor working conditions for health workers. The union has given the department 14 days to respond, warning that failure to do so could lead to further industrial action, including strikes.
Specific issues raised include:

• Corruption and Maladministration: NEHAWU pointed to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) report on Tembisa Hospital, where billions of rands were allegedly siphoned off through irregular tenders. The union demands immediate action to stamp out such practices and hold those responsible accountable.
• Dilapidated Infrastructure: Hospitals like Leratong and Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital were highlighted for leaking roofs and incomplete renovations. At Charlotte Maxeke, post-fire revamping has dragged on, while Leratong’s infrastructure puts patients at risk, especially with the rainy season approaching.
• Stalled Projects and Poor Services: Facilities such as Edenvale Hospital, Kopanong Hospital in Vereeniging, and City Bank District Health Services were cited for unfinished projects and substandard services. NEHAWU criticised “white elephant” developments that remain incomplete, wasting resources while communities suffer.
• Staff Shortages and Working Conditions: The union decried austerity measures that have led to a blanket freeze on hiring doctors, nurses, and other essential staff. This has overburdened existing workers and compromised patient care. Additionally, the dismissal of 34 cleaners at Charlotte Maxeke to outsource to a private company was condemned as unfair and detrimental to service quality.
• Accountability and Engagement: NEHAWU called for the department to engage meaningfully with the union, noting difficulties in securing meetings with the MEC and hospital CEOs. They emphasised that the struggle is not just for workers but for the communities relying on these services.
  NEHAWU Gauteng Provincial Secretary Tshepo Mokoka emphasised the urgency, stating that the march was a last resort after failed attempts at dialogue.

Voices from the Frontline: Workers Share Their Struggles

During the march, NEHAWU representatives spoke passionately about the daily challenges faced by healthcare workers. One union official highlighted the irony of being labelled “lazy” when the department fails to provide necessary resources. “We are seen as people that are lazy that are not doing their work while the department is actually not providing the resources. They are making it difficult for us to provide the services that we’re supposed to have,” the official said.

Workers from various hospitals shared specific grievances. At Tembisa Hospital, corruption has turned the facility into a “playground” for looting, according to the union. In Charlotte Maxeke, ongoing delays in repairs mean poor conditions persist, while Leratong’s leaking roofs endanger patients during rains. The official also criticised austerity measures as a national crisis manifesting locally, reducing budgets and halting hires, which exacerbates the shortage of doctors and nurses.

The union stressed that these issues affect not only staff but the broader community, with inadequate services leading to poorer health outcomes for Gauteng residents.

Department of Health’s Response: Calls for Dialogue Amid Criticism

The Gauteng Department of Health has acknowledged the concerns but has faced criticism for its slow response. MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko received the memorandum, and the department has committed to reviewing the demands within the 14-day timeframe. However, NEHAWU has expressed scepticism, noting past ignored requests for meetings.
The department has previously cited budget constraints due to national austerity measures as a key challenge, but the union argues this cannot justify the neglect of essential services and infrastructure.

Broader Context: A Provincial Health System in Crisis

Gauteng’s public health sector has been under strain for years, with reports of corruption and mismanagement making headlines. The SIU’s investigation into Tembisa Hospital revealed irregular spending of over R2 billion, prompting calls for systemic reforms. Similar issues plague other facilities, where ageing infrastructure and staff shortages lead to long waiting times and subpar care.
The march aligns with national discussions on healthcare, including the implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI) and efforts to address inequalities. NEHAWU has positioned the action as part of a larger fight against austerity, which they say hampers service delivery across provinces.

Community members and patients have voiced support for the union’s demands, with many sharing stories of poor treatment due to under-resourced hospitals. As the rainy season approaches, concerns about infrastructure failures are particularly acute.

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