Hospersa welcomes Mahumapelo's resignation

Health workers' union Hospersa has welcomed the resignation of North West premier Supra Mahumapelo.

Hospersa called on political heads to appoint a credible replacement.

“We welcome the NW Premier’s resignation as this will ease tension caused by the violent protests. It is time that the province focuses on a new era that is corrupt-free and driven by quality service delivery. The lengthy delay it took the NW Premier to vacate office has had a devastating effect on service delivery in the province whereby many government departments have collapsed‚ particularly the North West department of health which continues to be on its knees‚” said Hospersa spokesperson Kevin Halama.

Mahumapelo resigned as premier on Tuesday after weeks of protests in North West‚ where residents demanded that he step down.

The violent protests had a serious impact on health services in the province. The main depot responsible for medicine supplies was shut down and this hit all public health facilities hard.

As clinics ran out of medicine‚ all patients were sent to the Mahikeng provincial hospital. Pressure began to mount at the hospital as it struggled to cope with the high intake. Some patients had to be sent home.

The situation was made worse by a “go slow” by workers who were demanding the outstanding payment of bonuses and the suspension of head of department Thabo Lekalakala. Mahumapelo ultimately suspended Lekalakala.

Health minister Aaron Motsoaledi visited the province in order to find a solution to what was becoming a health crisis. To deal with the medicine shortage‚ the provincial health department allowed facilities to source medicine directly from suppliers.

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