IHAWU

24/05/2026

A senior doctor who risked his career and personal safety to expose the rot at Charlotte Maxeke hospital says he has reached breaking point and is leaving the public health sector. Read his shocking, emotional interview in the tomorrow

01/05/2026

MEDIA STATEMENT
Independent Health and Allied Workers Union (IHAWU)
01 May 2026, Workers’ Day

Honouring Workers, Confronting the Crisis in Health and Social Development

On this Workers’ Day, the Independent Health and Allied Workers Union (IHAWU) stands in solidarity with all workers across South Africa, with a special focus on those on the frontlines of care, our health workers and social development workers.

While the world celebrates labour, millions of essential workers in healthcare and social services continue to operate under unbearable conditions, carrying a system that is steadily collapsing under pressure.

The reality is stark.

South Africa faces a projected shortage of up to 97,000 health workers, a crisis that continues to deepen inequality in access to care across provinces.
Across Africa, there are only about 1.55 health workers per 1,000 people, far below the recommended 4.45 needed for adequate care.
Globally, the World Health Organization projects a shortage of over 11 million health workers by 2030, disproportionately affecting developing regions like ours.

Behind these numbers are human beings.

Nurses working double shifts due to chronic staff shortages
Social workers managing overwhelming caseloads with little support
Community health workers expected to fill systemic gaps without adequate resources
Professionals leaving the country in search of better pay and safer working conditions

In South Africa, vacancies remain unfilled, experienced nurses are retiring, and poor working conditions continue to drive skilled professionals out of the system.

Mental health and social development services are equally strained. The country faces a severe shortage of social workers, psychologists, and mental health professionals, with fewer than 1.7 psychiatrists per 100,000 people in upper middle income settings, and even fewer in the public sector that serves the majority.

This is not just a staffing issue, it is a crisis of dignity, safety, and justice.

Healthcare workers are expected to save lives in facilities without adequate staff, equipment, or infrastructure. Social development workers are expected to respond to poverty, gender based violence, child neglect, and mental health crises with minimal resources and increasing personal risk.

At the same time, many trained professionals remain unemployed due to hiring freezes and budget constraints, a painful contradiction where unemployment exists alongside desperate need.

IHAWU’s Position

On this Workers’ Day, IHAWU makes it clear.

We will not celebrate symbolism while workers suffer in silence.

We call for the urgent filling of all vacant posts in health and social development
Improved working conditions including safe staffing ratios and functional facilities
Fair remuneration that reflects the critical role of frontline workers
Investment in training, recruitment, and retention of health and social service professionals
Protection of workers from burnout, exploitation, and unsafe environments

A Call to Action

Workers’ Day must not be reduced to speeches and slogans. It must be a turning point.

A healthcare system without workers cannot function.
A society without social workers cannot heal.

To honour workers is to invest in them, protect them, and respect their contribution not only in words, but in action.

Together we protect. Together we serve. Together we rise.

Issued by
Independent Health and Allied Workers Union (IHAWU)

Contact Persons:
Rich Sicina
0606821672
Lerato Mthunzi
0658330082
info@ihawu.org.za
www.ihawu.org.za

27/04/2026

13/04/2026

MEDIA STATEMENT IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE CIC OF THE EFF, Julius Sello Malema

The Independent Health and Allied Workers Union stands firmly behind Julius Malema during this critical moment, recognising that what he faces is not isolated, but follows a well-established pattern in South Africa’s history where voices that challenge economic injustice and speak for the Black majority are subjected to sustained persecution.

This pattern is not new. Leaders of the Black Consciousness Movement, such as Steve Biko, were harassed, banned, imprisoned, and ultimately silenced because they mobilised Black people towards psychological and economic liberation. Today, the methods may differ in form, but the objective remains the same, to neutralise those who threaten entrenched power.

The Economic Freedom Fighters has, since its formation, carried forward this tradition of confronting inequality head-on. In 2020, declared by the EFF as the Year of Public Health, the organisation elevated the struggles of healthcare workers and exposed the deep crisis within public health institutions. Through oversight visits, protests, and community mobilisation, the realities of staff shortages, collapsing infrastructure, and unsafe working conditions were brought to the forefront, giving both workers and communities a platform that had long been denied.

The EFF has consistently stood with student nurses and young professionals fighting for access and fair treatment. It has supported community service workers facing systemic exclusion and uncertainty. It has been visible in struggles involving security personnel, cleaning staff and EPWP workers who continue to endure exploitation and precarious labour conditions. Through its Labour Desk, the EFF has intervened in numerous cases of workplace injustice, defending workers against unfair dismissal and abuse.

What distinguishes this movement is not theory, but presence. Communities and workers know that even when they do not vote for the EFF, when crisis strikes, the organisation shows up.

As IHAWU, we are equally concerned about the broader attack on independent labour formations. Across the country, unions and worker-led movements that refuse to be co-opted are increasingly marginalised, undermined, or targeted. This reflects a systemic mode of operation designed to weaken organised labour and silence voices that advocate for genuine economic transformation and Black excellence in both political and activist spaces.

The targeting of Julius Malema must therefore be understood within this broader context. When leaders articulate uncomfortable truths about land, wealth, and inequality, they inevitably become targets. When independent unions organise outside of dominant power structures, they too face resistance.

These attacks send a dangerous message to young South Africans. They suggest that those who choose the path of activism or political leadership, especially in defence of the poor and working class, must be prepared to face isolation, persecution, and systematic pushback. This risks discouraging a new generation of leaders from standing up, speaking out, and participating in shaping the future of this country.

South Africa cannot afford a future where young people are silenced before they even begin. A democracy must nurture, not intimidate, those who seek to lead and challenge injustice.

We reject this pattern.

We assert that the struggle for workers’ rights, dignity, and economic justice cannot be separated from the struggle to protect bold and uncompromising leadership.

We stand with Julius Malema not out of blind loyalty, but because his work continues to inspire and reinforce the daily struggles of workers and communities we represent.

An injury to one is an injury to all.

ENDS

Issued by:
IHAWU - Independent Health and Allied Workers Union

Contacts:
Lerato Mthunzi 0658230082
Rich Sicina 0606821672
info@ihawu.org.za

A united, militant and democratic front of healthcare and allied workers, fearlessly defending the dignity, rights and wellbeing of those who serve at the heart of our health and social development department.

01/04/2026

MEDIA STATEMENT BY IHAWU ON THE GAUTENG CABINET RESHUFFLE

The Independent Health and Allied Workers Union (IHAWU) notes the recent cabinet reshuffle announced by Panyaza Lesufi, which has resulted in the removal of Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko from the Department of Health.

While IHAWU welcomes her removal from the Department of Health as a long overdue and necessary intervention, the union does not welcome her redeployment to the Department of Social Development. This position is informed by our responsibility to defend both sectors in which we organise and to safeguard the integrity of public service delivery.

The removal of Ralehoko must be understood within the context of serious and sustained governance failures that defined her tenure. Healthcare workers have consistently raised concerns about deteriorating working conditions, chronic understaffing, collapsing infrastructure and a leadership approach that failed to respond decisively to the deepening crisis in public health.

Of particular concern to IHAWU has been her continued defence and political backing of Dr Lesiba Malotana despite serious allegations and red flags raised through official processes, including lifestyle audits and corruption linked investigations. Such conduct raised fundamental questions about accountability, ethical leadership and commitment to clean governance within the Department of Health. It contributed to a climate where workers felt unheard and where governance failures persisted without consequence.

Her tenure has been marked by ongoing instability in healthcare facilities, worsening staff shortages, declining infrastructure and persistent financial mismanagement. These conditions have directly impacted both healthcare workers and the communities they serve, further eroding confidence in the department. Taken together, these realities reflect a pattern of leadership failure that made her removal both necessary and justified.

IHAWU notes the appointment of Faith Mazibuko as the new MEC for Health. This appointment presents an opportunity for a decisive reset and the union expects urgent and measurable interventions to stabilise the department, improve working conditions and restore accountability. The appointment of Nkululeko Dunga as MEC for Finance is further recognised as a significant political development. It has the potential to strengthen financial oversight and ensure greater accountability in the management of public resources, particularly within the health sector.

As a union organising in both Health and Social Development, IHAWU expresses deep concern regarding the decision to redeploy Ralehoko to Social Development. We do not accept that Social Development should become a repository for leadership that has failed in other departments. This sector is already under immense pressure and plays a critical role in supporting the most vulnerable in society. It must be protected from instability, poor governance and any form of regression.

IHAWU will closely monitor developments within the Department of Social Development to ensure that the challenges experienced in Health are not transferred into this sector. We remain resolute that Social Development must remain untainted, protected and governed with integrity in order to fulfil its mandate effectively. The union stands ready to engage constructively where necessary, but will not hesitate to confront any actions that undermine service delivery, workers’ rights or institutional accountability.

IHAWU maintains that this reshuffle must not be cosmetic. It must mark the beginning of real accountability, consequence management and measurable change in the public service. Public institutions must not become recycling centres for failed leadership. The removal of Ralehoko from Health must signal a decisive break from past failures, not their relocation.

Issued by
Independent Health and Allied Workers Union (IHAWU)

Contact Person(s):
Lerato Mthunzi | Rich Sicina
0658230082 | 0606821672
info@ihawu.org.za
www.ihawu.org.za

26/03/2026

26/03/2026

MEDIA STATEMENTIndependent Health and Allied Workers Union (IHAWU)

Date: 26 March 2026

Subject: IHAWU Response to the Health Ombud Report on the Tragic Death of Ms Lerato Mohlamme at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital

The Independent Health and Allied Workers Union (IHAWU) extends its deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the family, loved ones, and all those affected by the tragic passing of Ms Lerato Mohlamme. We mourn this painful loss and stand in solidarity with her family during this difficult time. No family should ever have to endure such a tragedy, and we acknowledge the profound grief and unanswered questions they continue to face.

While we acknowledge the seriousness of the incident and the need for accountability, the report regrettably adopts a narrow approach that places undue blame on frontline healthcare workers, while failing to adequately interrogate the systemic failures that created the conditions for this tragedy.

1. Scapegoating of Frontline WorkersThe report creates an impression of negligence by healthcare workers without fairly reflecting the working conditions under which they were operating. On the day of the incident, the unit was grossly understaffed, with only four healthcare workers on duty, of whom only two possessed psychiatric qualifications. This staffing level is wholly inadequate for a high-risk mental health unit and significantly compromised the ability of staff to provide safe and effective care.

2. Lack of Fire Safety Training and PreparednessIt is deeply concerning that the report fails to highlight the absence of fire safety training and emergency preparedness within the unit. Staff had never undergone fire drills, nor were they adequately trained in fire response protocols. This is a clear failure of hospital management and cannot be attributed to frontline workers.

3. Clinical Decision-Making Not Properly InterrogatedThe report does not sufficiently examine the circumstances that led to the patient being placed in seclusion, particularly given that Ms Mohlamme was not ordinarily managed in a seclusion room. The role of the prescribing doctor, reportedly an intern, and the clinical justification for this decision require deeper scrutiny.

4. Ignoring the Efforts of Staff During the IncidentIHAWU strongly rejects the portrayal of staff as negligent. These same workers acted swiftly under extreme pressure to evacuate and save the lives of all other patients in the ward. The report fails to acknowledge their efforts and instead focuses disproportionately on the inability to save Ms Mohlamme, without considering the broader emergency context, including delayed response from firefighting services and the unavailability of hospital management during the crisis.

5. Institutional Failures and Lack of AccountabilityThe hospital’s systemic failures, including poor governance, lack of leadership accessibility during emergencies, and inadequate support systems, are not sufficiently emphasized. There are serious concerns that the institution is shielding its own failures while shifting blame onto vulnerable staff members.

6. Psychological Trauma and Lack of Staff SupportThe healthcare workers involved in this incident have been left severely traumatized. To date, there has been little to no structured psychological support or ongoing counselling provided to them. This reflects a broader disregard for worker wellbeing within the institution.

7. Procurement Failures and Equipment Safety ConcernsOf grave concern is the procurement of seclusion mattresses that were reportedly classified as fire-resistant or fireproof, yet were allegedly used as a means in the incident. This raises serious questions about procurement processes, quality assurance, and accountability at a management level.

ConclusionIHAWU calls for a more balanced and transparent investigation that does not unfairly criminalize frontline healthcare workers while ignoring systemic and managerial failures. Accountability must be holistic and must include those responsible for staffing, training, procurement, and governance.

We further call for:

An independent review of staffing norms in mental health units

Immediate implementation of fire safety training and emergency drills

Psychological support for affected staff

A full investigation into procurement processes and clinical decision-making

Accountability at management and departmental levels

Healthcare workers cannot continue to operate as scapegoats in a failing system. Protecting both patients and workers requires honesty, fairness, and systemic reform.

Issued by:Independent Health and Allied Workers Union (IHAWU)

For media enquiries:
Lerato Mthunzi
Spokesperson
0658230082
info@ihawu.org.za
www.ihawu.org.za

18/03/2026

🚨 ATTENTION ALL NURSES IN SOUTH AFRICA! 🇿🇦👩🏽‍⚕️👨🏾‍⚕️

A critical update has been issued by the South African Nursing Council regarding the proposed fees for accreditation of CPD providers — and this is not something we can ignore.

📄 The Council has now officially invited comments on these proposed CPD-related fees (Government Gazette 53708).

⚠️ What does this mean for YOU?

• CPD is becoming a mandatory requirement for nurses to maintain competence and remain compliant 
• Nurses are expected to accumulate CPD points annually
• This system will directly affect your ability to stay registered and practice legally
• And now — FEES are being introduced into the system 💸

Let’s be honest…
We are already paying annual fees (e.g. up to R870 for registered nurses in 2026) 
Now CPD may come with additional financial pressure on top of that.

✊🏽 This is where YOUR voice matters!

The Independent Health and Allied Workers Union is preparing to make formal submissions — but we cannot do this without input from nurses on the ground.

📣 We are calling on ALL nurses to:

✔️ Engage in this discussion
✔️ Share your concerns about affordability and implementation
✔️ Highlight challenges in accessing CPD opportunities
✔️ Suggest practical, worker-friendly solutions

📅 Deadline to submit comments: 30 April 2026

💬 Let’s use this platform to dissect, debate, and build a united position.

📢 Tag your colleagues.
📢 Share this post widely.
📢 No nurse must be left behind.

If we don’t speak now, decisions will be made for us.