Strikers labelled as murderers

By Lelethu Mquqo
21 August 2010

Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has labelled striking public servants who blocked hospitals for a third day yesterday as “murderers’ of emergency patients.

Motsoaledi worked at Johannesburg’s Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital, along with 60 qualified doctors and nurses, after saying strikers had lost their humanity.

Striking civil servants also shut down schools and other government institutions around the country.

Meanwhile, it is reported that public service sector unions and government could hold renewed wage talks next week in an attempt to resolve the increasingly violent strikes across the country.

Public Service and Administration Minister Richard Baloyi has promised to approach unions about new talks.

The Independent Labour Caucus, which represents close on half-a-million workers, says it held discussions with Baloyi yesterday.

The Congress of South African Trade Unions says it is open to talks. Cosatu-affiliated unions represent the bulk of the striking workers.