The dispute between nurses and the Eastern Cape Department of Health over accommodation at Livingstone Hospital remains unresolved after eviction notices sparked legal action. The conflict arose when nurses, recruited from outside the province, were asked to vacate a building previously used as a nurses’ home.
The Health and Other Service Personnel Trade Union of South Africa (Hospersa) approached the courts, arguing that the department had initially promised accommodation but later failed to provide proper notice or alternative housing. The court ruled that the evictions must be halted, temporarily protecting the nurses remaining on the premises.
Hospersa’s labour relations representative, Thembisa Witbooi, said the ruling offers limited relief. “While the ruling prevents further evictions, the fight is not over. Out of the 37 nurses affected, 31 are still in the premises and six had already left. The court decision does not compensate those who had to leave, and we will return to court to argue that the department is responsible for their costs,” she explained. Witbooi also raised concerns about the treatment of nurses, noting that many are women with minor children. “Their rights have been violated, and the exclusion is hard to understand,” she added.
The Eastern Cape Department of Health maintains that the accommodation was always temporary. Siyanda Manana, the department’s director of communications, said, “We went through a quick recruitment process, and nurses were recruited on one-year contracts. After the contract expired, they were expected to leave. We provided temporary accommodation at Livingstone because the situation during COVID-19 was abnormal.” He emphasized that the building is intended for nurses and doctors in training, not permanent staff.
The department has signalled its intention to appeal the court’s ruling, maintaining that it is not legally obliged to provide housing or alternative accommodation for the nurses.
