JOHANNESBURG, Gauteng — The Gauteng Health Department has assured the public that Gauteng EMS services remain fully operational and uninterrupted, despite a labor dispute involving disciplinary action against 21 emergency medical officials.
Addressing recent public concerns, Gauteng Health spokesperson Steve Mabona clarified that none of the 21 implicated EMS officials have been suspended. Instead, they have been formally charged with failing to complete their scheduled working hours, a move the department says will not impact emergency response times for the public.
Clarifying the Disciplinary Charges and Working Hours
The core of the dispute revolves around the interpretation of scheduled shifts and contractual hours. According to Mabona, the 21 officials—stationed across various Johannesburg areas, including the Westrand—allegedly left their posts before the end of their scheduled shifts, leaving ambulances parked and unresponsive to dispatch calls.
The officials reportedly argued that they had completed a 160-hour work cycle and refused to extend their shifts. However, the department refutes this calculation. Mabona explained that the Basic Conditions of Employment Act stipulates a maximum of 45 hours per week. When calculated as an average over a two- to three-week period, the average working time aligns with 42 to 43 hours, with additional hours compensated as overtime.
“You take an oath as a clinician or as a health practitioner. You cannot leave your post and leave calls,” Mabona stated, emphasizing the critical nature of emergency services. He noted that when the communication command center attempts to dispatch units and finds stations empty, it creates a severe challenge for public safety.
Addressing Overtime Claims and Political Narratives
Recent reports suggested that the charged officials were being punished for refusing to work unpaid overtime. Mabona strongly dismissed these claims, attributing them to political maneuvering.
“There is nothing like we don’t pay if you work overtime,” Mabona explained, noting that planned overtime, particularly for special events, is fully compensated. He described the current discourse as a product of the “silly season,” suggesting that opposition parties are campaigning and utilizing media platforms to paint a false narrative regarding unpaid labor within the department.
Professional Ethics and System Readiness
Because the officials are registered health practitioners, the department has escalated the matter beyond internal disciplinary channels. Mabona confirmed that the issue has been reported to the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and other relevant professional bodies, such as the nursing council, to address potential breaches of professional ethics.
“A patient cannot be assisted in an emergency where it is between life and death,” Mabona said, urging that labor disputes regarding overtime should be taken to the bargaining council rather than resulting in the abandonment of critical posts.
Despite the internal disciplinary processes, the department maintains that its emergency infrastructure is robust. The command center continues to effectively route calls, including those triggered by the e-panic button linked to gender-based violence (GBV) responses, ensuring patients are triaged and directed to the appropriate hospitals.
Looking ahead, the Gauteng Health Department is taking proactive steps to bolster its fleet and workforce. Mabona announced that an advertisement has been issued to appoint additional paramedics, and new ambulances are being added on a financial-year basis. Furthermore, the department is strategically stationing ambulances in far-flung areas to reduce response times.
Regarding readiness for the upcoming November elections and the subsequent festive season, Mabona indicated that comprehensive operational plans are being finalized and will be announced in the near future to ensure seamless emergency coverage.
