IHAWU - Independent Health and Allied Workers Union

21/08/2026

IHAWU Welcomes NPA Action in R**e Case Involving Hospital Nurse

The Independent Health and Allied Workers Union (IHAWU) welcomes the decision by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to secure the transfer of the case involving the alleged r**e and assault of a professional nurse at Thusanong Hospital to the Odendaalsrus Regional Court for trial.

We commend the NPA for treating this matter with the seriousness it deserves and for reaffirming that healthcare workers have the right to perform their duties in an environment free from violence, intimidation, sexual assault and abuse.

IHAWU stands firmly behind the nurse who was allegedly attacked while carrying out her professional responsibilities. It is deeply disturbing that a healthcare worker can dedicate her life to caring for others, only to allegedly become a victim of violence at the hands of someone she was there to care for.

Healthcare workers are not punching bags. They are not disposable. They are human beings who deserve dignity, protection and respect.

IHAWU has consistently maintained that the safety of healthcare workers must be treated as an urgent priority. Violence against nurses and other health workers cannot be normalised as an unfortunate part of working in healthcare. Every health facility must have effective security measures, appropriate incident-response systems and mechanisms that protect workers from patients, visitors or any other individuals who threaten their safety.

We welcome the NPA’s commitment to pursuing the matter without fear, favour or prejudice, and we trust that the court process will provide justice to the victim while respecting the rights of all parties before the law.

Our message is clear: IHAWU will not abandon healthcare workers who suffer violence while serving the public.

We will continue to stand with nurses, doctors, allied health professionals, support workers and all healthcare workers who face violence, intimidation, harassment or abuse in the workplace.

Those who care for society must also be cared for and protected by society.

IHAWU stands with the nurse. IHAWU stands with healthcare workers. IHAWU will continue to defend those who dedicate their lives to saving and caring for others.

Issued by:
Independent Health and Allied Workers Union (IHAWU)

Media Contacts
Lerato Mthunzi
0658230082

Rich Sicina
0606821672

20/08/2026

In The Citizen newspaper tomorrow: Fake patients steal medicines

Get a copy to find out more.

19/08/2026

IHAWU MEDIA STATEMENT

IHAWU STANDS WITH THE KING DINUZULU HOSPITAL NURSE: WE WILL NOT ALLOW A HEALTHCARE WORKER TO BE CRUCIFIED BY SOCIAL MEDIA

The Independent Health and Allied Workers Union (IHAWU) has conducted an investigation into the viral video involving an Enrolled Nursing Auxiliary at King Dinuzulu Hospital during a night shift while she was performing routine vital signs on a patient.

Following our investigation, IHAWU is concerned that the video being circulated does not present the full context of the incident. The footage appears to focus on the nurse’s reaction while failing to adequately show the inappropriate physical interaction that preceded it.

IHAWU stands firmly in solidarity with the nurse involved. We believe that every healthcare worker deserves dignity, respect, safety and protection while performing their duties.

IHAWU does not condone professional misconduct. However, accountability must be based on the complete facts and not on a selectively edited video circulating on social media. A healthcare worker must never be expected to silently tolerate physical, verbal, sexual or emotional abuse simply because they are providing care to a patient.

The abuse of healthcare workers is a serious global problem. Nurses and other healthcare professionals are routinely subjected to verbal abuse, threats, physical violence, sexual harassment and intimidation while serving patients.

We are particularly concerned about the normalisation of inappropriate sexual contact against nurses. A nurse’s uniform does not remove her right to bodily autonomy, dignity and safety. Being a patient does not give anyone the right to touch, sexually harass, intimidate or assault a healthcare worker.

EMPLOYERS MUST NOT SACRIFICE WORKERS TO APPEASE SOCIAL MEDIA

IHAWU is equally concerned about the tendency of employers to distance themselves from workers or publicly condemn employees when incidents go viral, seemingly to appease the court of public opinion.

A worker must not be sacrificed to protect an institution’s reputation.

A viral video is not a disciplinary hearing. Social media outrage is not due process. An employer has a responsibility to investigate fairly, establish the facts and protect the rights of all parties involved.

We therefore call on the KwaZulu Natal Department of Health and King Dinuzulu Hospital management not to rush to publicly condemn or scapegoat the healthcare worker in an attempt to appease the social media jury.

The nurse deserves the same fairness, dignity and presumption of innocence that every worker is entitled to.

If there are allegations of misconduct, they must be dealt with through proper processes. Equally, if a healthcare worker has been subjected to abuse or inappropriate physical contact, that conduct must also be investigated and addressed.

OUR NURSES DESERVE PROTECTION

IHAWU calls for a full and impartial investigation into the entire incident, including all available footage, witness accounts and other relevant evidence.

We further call for stronger security measures, effective reporting mechanisms and clear protocols for dealing with patients who display violent, abusive or sexually inappropriate behaviour towards healthcare workers.

We cannot build a safe healthcare system by protecting patients at the expense of healthcare workers. Patient safety and worker safety must exist together.

We can demand professionalism from nurses while defending their dignity.

We can protect patients while protecting healthcare workers.

We can hold workers accountable without publicly crucifying them.

IHAWU stands firmly with the nurse involved and with every healthcare worker who reports for duty with the intention of saving lives, only to face abuse, humiliation or violence.

Our nurses are not punching bags.

Our healthcare workers deserve dignity, safety and respect.

IHAWU will not abandon its members and will not allow healthcare workers to be sacrificed to appease social media outrage.

Hands off our nurses. Hands off our healthcare workers.

Issued by:

Independent Health and Allied Workers Union (IHAWU)

Media Contact:
Lerato Mthunzi
+27 65 823 0082
Rich Sicina
+27 60 682 1672

15/08/2026

Worker Unity is Sacrosanct ✊🏽

15/08/2026

Shout out to my newest followers! Excited to have you in this revolutionary home of health and social development workers ✊🏽

Makhosi Macobs, Sanele Ngidi, Nonjabulo Lihle Tembo Maphanga, Zodwa Manyathi, Fa Ti Ma Madibo, Lungile Poppy Buthelezi, Ngetani Mitileni, Lelethu Ikamva, Mamta Omphile Rams, Tsheege Lipson, Sbongile Zuma, Mamafentse Ntswane, Nto So Cool, Prudent Moyake, Zakhele Thomas Mkhondwane, Thandi Zilekhumbu, Lihle Londie Mchunu, Lindi Mabena, Lindiwe Ngwenya, Koneng Jali

14/08/2026