Protests force De Doorns clinics to close
2013-01-15 16:23
Johannesburg - Four clinics in De Doorns were closed on Tuesday because of
the farmworker strike, Western Cape health authorities said.
"We cannot afford to put our health workers who work at these clinics
at risk, and so are forced to close the clinics," health MEC Theuns Botha
said in a statement.
"It is quite ironic to think that the issues at stake for farmworkers
are about human dignity but at the same time the situation is depriving our
patients of a basic right, as set out in the constitution."
Botha said there were many other ways for farmworkers to voice their
grievances other than being violent.
The department temporary closed the Orchard, Sandhills, De Doorns and
Wolseley clinics.
"It is disappointing that we have to close down our health services and
deprive people that are dependent on our health services," Botha said.
Farmworkers went on strike last year to demand their daily wage be increased
from R69 to R150, and that a coherent land reform programme be implemented.
The strike was suspended in December, but resumed on Wednesday last week.
The labour department was holding further public hearings on the review of
farmworkers' minimum wages across the Western Cape from Monday evening.
People who needed medical assistance should make use of the Emergency
Medical Services, Botha said.
The department urged striking farmworkers to allow health staff a "safe
passage to clinics".
Strikes
No violent incidents were reported on Tuesday in any of the areas affected
by the strike, police said.
On Monday, a De Doorns resident was killed when he was struck by a rubber
bullet. A police officer was injured in Villiersdorp when he was struck by
stones thrown at a police station.
Police arrested 16 people for public violence in De Doorns, nine in
Wolseley, 12 in Villiersdorp, and two in Ladysmith.
Workers set tyres alight at the De Doorns police station, but no damage was
caused. In Wolseley, the situation was similar; protesters threw stones at
police and burned tyres.
The R43 road in Worcester was closed because burning tyres were strewn
across it.
At least 167 people had been arrested since Wednesday last week. On Monday
alone 42 people were arrested, mainly for public violence.
Public hearings would continue on Tuesday evening in Paarl.
Hearings had been set down for De Doorns, Robertson, Oudtshoorn and
Vredendal for the remainder of the week, but venues had yet to be confirmed.
Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant was expected to make an announcement on the
new wage determination in February. This would come into effect from 1 March.
- SAPA
