DA seeks investigations after picketing doctors’ salaries were allegedly cut

DRIEKOP – The Democratic Alliance in Limpopo informed that it has lodged a complaint with the province’s Health MEC, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, to institute an investigation following allegations of deductions of salaries of 15 doctors attached to Dilokong Hospital in Driekop outside Burgersfort.

According to the DA, doctors at the hospital claim they received deductions of between R15 000 to R20 000 when their salaries were paid this month because they had embarked on a go slow until medical equipment that was not operational at the facility had been repaired.

The DA said the doctors reported for work daily, signed the work attendance register and would carry out a go-slow because important operating theatre medical equipment they needed to perform their duties had not been repaired despite numerous requests. They would still attend to maternity, casualty and trauma patients on a rotational basis.

Risham Maharaj, DA Limpopo Spokesperson on health, said a senior clinical manager at the hospital informed the doctors that she was unaware and had no knowledge of the salary cuts when asked.

Maharaj said the doctors at the facility were allegedly then asked to sign final written warnings without any form of enquiry or disciplinary hearing having taken place.

“The DA is deeply concerned that these doctors are being unfairly treated for raising a legitimate grievance concerned with fixing medical equipment needed in dispensing their duties and serving the people of the province. MEC Ramathuba must investigate the veracity of these allegations leveled by the doctors as well as look into the legitimacy of the final written warnings,” said Maharaj.

Attempts to get comment from Limpopo Department of Health were not successful at the time of going to press.