Image: Facebook / Bra Sol Xaba
Image: Facebook / Bra Sol Xaba
Some people really need to have a long, hard think about their priorities. That includes Zola Saphetha, the current secretary-general of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu). He claims that the union will go ahead with a nationwide march at the end of the month, which directly contravenes government advice on the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Nehawu plan ‘defiant’ march amid COVID-19 crisis
He appeared on Radio 702 earlier, defending the decision to protest against the government’s public sector wage cuts. Sapthetha also came up with a (now largely bemoaned) idea to get round the president’s directive that “gatherings of 100 or more people must be stopped”. You might need a double-take, here:
“One of the proposals made already is that even if we have 20 000 in the gathering, we can put them in the categories of 99 to comply with what [President Cyril] Ramaphosa is saying.”
Zola Saphetha of Nehawu addresses the COVID-19 issue
NEHAWU to go ahead with protest on 30/3 despite ban on gatherings of more than 100 as a result of the coronavirus. Protest is against Gov’s intention not to give public workers increases in April. SG Zola Saphetha says they are looking at ways of avoiding the risk of transmission
— René (@runawayrene) March 18, 2020
Union could face court action for coronavirus ‘ignorance’
Should the union refuse to stand down on this issue, the Democratic Alliance (DA) have already vowed to get a court interdict against Newahu. Leon Schreiber – who is the shadow public service minister – slammed the group for putting thousands of people at risk, explaining just how reckless their stance on COVID-19 really is.
“This march, planned for 30 March, will put the lives of thousands of South Africans at risk. We’ll write to the Public Service Minister Senzo Mchunu, asking him to cancel this march. If the government fails to avert disaster, the DA will obtain an urgent interdict against Nehawu’s actions to protect the health of thousands.
“Nehawu is threatening to endanger the lives of not only its workers and members, who will be forced to participate in the protest, but also the lives of the broader South African public. COVID-19 is highly contagious, and even one infection resulting from the Nehawu march can spread like wildfire.”
Leon Schreiber
