Boipelo Mere
Disgruntled Community Health Workers (CHWs), who did not benefit from the recent permanent absorption programme by the Northern Cape Department of Health(NCDoH), have shut down clinics around Galeshewe after reportedly being told that there is no money for further absorption.
The members, belonging to Nehawu and Hospersa, demand a positive answer with regard to the absorption of all CHWs throughout the province.
The patients were removed from the clinics in the morning, while the staff was ordered to go home.
The shutdown, consisting mainly of members in the Francis Baard, follows a brief engagement with the MEC for Health, Nontobeko Vilakazi, and the HOD Oupa Phiri, who reportedly informed them that there was no money for their permanent absorption.
The department has announced that only 429 CHWs, out of the 1644 on Nehawu’s database, have been appointed to permanent positions by December 2025.
Another 279 are currently being processed, while 144 are awaiting matric certificate verification.
The department made a commitment that only 292 CHWs would be absorbed once their matric certificate verification was finalized.
The CHW’s took their frustrations to the streets, closing several clinics after empty promises were made that the department, including the premier, will engage with them after they were overlooked during the employment process.
They also disrupted a two-day Induction programme planned for the permanently absorbed colleagues.
The incidents have caused tensions among the absorbed and unabsorbed members, who both accused the department of being the cause.
Frustrations were raised that only a few are set to benefit from the level 2 employment level with all benefits such as pension, access to medical aid, and housing, while they all fought for this opportunity.
Those who were not absorbed, some without matric, were promised an increase of R1000.00.
Nehawu in the Francis Baard expressed that the slow pace in verifying matric verification has furthered discomfort from members following their court victory for all to be permanently absorbed.
Nehawu provincial spokesperson Moleme Moleme said the labour court victory for the absorption of CHW comes after protracted years of campaigns for the CHWs to have favourable working conditions.
“Initially, the target for our province was 547; after engagement with the department, it was increased to 857, which includes lay counsellors. Which boosted intake and our continued campaign to have all CHWs absorbed in the system,” said Moleme
“The absorption has placed our members into permanent employment at level 2, with all benefits such as pension, access to medical aid, and housing.”
“The employer brought about these requirements, which we disputed; they relied on the available budget for the financial year. We agreed that no CHW must be left behind because all who did not get absorbed will be prioritised in the new financial year,” he added.
Nepsawu called on the department to release the recruitment database, as it alleges that some of the appointees are unknown and are un-deserving while many CHWs who were overlooked possess matric certificates and have Persal numbers.
The provincial Secretary of Nepsawu Orateng Disipi expressed concern over those who were ‘overlooked.’
“Most of the CHWs in John Taolo Gaetsewe District are over the age of 50, and have survived on a stipend for more than 20 years, accumulated various training in their field of work, but could not benefit like others,” lamented Disipi.
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