DENOSA KZN statement on advertisement of posts at Northdale and Dr Pixely ka-Isaka KaSeme hospitals and notice to end contracts of nurses employed for COVID-19

November 16, 2020

The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA) in KwaZulu-Natal notes with disappointment that the Department of Health is reneging on its circular (circular 75 of 2019) which committed to non advertisement of posts for general nurses while many community service nurses have not been absorbed, but instead the Department disregarded this circular by advertising these posts inspite of the existence of this circular.

DENOSA KwaZulu-Natal is failing to understand the reasoning behind this act since the Department has an obligation to absorb more than 400 nurses but choose to advertise these posts instead of honouring this circular.

DENOSA is worried that the provincial department of health may be copying this new tendency from the main employer which commits to agreements and then change willy nilly.

It started with posts being advertised at Dr Pixley Ka-Isaka KaSeme without any explaination by the department.

Now as DENOSA, we have seen other hospitals like Northdale Hospital advertising general nurse posts.

DENOSA view this act as provocation to bursary holders whom the department has an obligation to absorb.

Currently, neither that circular has been withdrawn nor have all bursary holders been absorbed.

About 400 comserves remain unemployed but the department unashamedly advertised close to 190 posts, acting against their own circular.

For the employees of this department to take this department seriously, DENOSA urge the department to lead by example by sticking to its circulars.

DENOSA is demanding that the Department of Health in KZN withdraw all advertised posts for general nurses/professional nurses and comply with its own circular 75/2019.

DENOSA demand that both advertisement of Dr Pixely ka isaka KaSeme and Northdale hospitals be withdrawn

not later than 20 November 2020 or DENOSA will be forced to approach courts to interdict these advertisements.

Secondly, the department has started issuing notices to end the contracts of different categories of nurses who were employed specifically for COVID-19 while the country is anticipating a second wave.

“As DENOSA, we view this act as undermining the discussions we started with the senior leaders of the Department to place these nurses on permanent employment,” says DENOSA KZN Provincial Secretary, Mandla Shabangu.

“This action by the Department as careless and dangerous as our view is that the province is still not out of the woods yet in terms of Civid-19 pandemic.

DENOSA further demands that the department withdraw those notices of intention to end the contracts of COVID-19 nurses.

DENOSA is of the view that the department is still grossly shortstaffed. Therefore, it will be irresponsible for the department to end contracts of these nurses especially at the time when COVID-19 is still a threat in this province.

DENOSA is fully committed to challenge government’s failure to honour its circular and fight against shortage of staff which affects our members.