The SAHRC has launched an inquiry into the strike by health workers affiliated to the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu).

Nehawu workers shut down the hospital in May over unpaid performance bonuses from the previous financial year.

The hospital's CEO, Gladys Bogoshi, told the SAHRC that the costs relate to outsourcing new linen, the costs of cleaning the facility, removing rubble and gate repairs.

"Remember some of the damage costs may come in later. For example, the water bill has not come and when the bill comes we will probably find that it's quite high. These were the damages that were obvious to us; we had to fix the pharmacy door the same night because we cannot afford to have that door not locked."

The acting head of the Gauteng Department of Health, Mkhululi Lukhele, told the commission the department was unable to pay the performance bonuses as it did not have money.

"The department at that time had lots of challenges. You would have been aware of the Life Esidimeni, you would have been aware of the project of ensuring that people are moved from unsafe NGO's to safe places. That process is one of the causes of the delay in payment."

Lukhele said paying the bonuses would have cost the department R350 million.

Nehawu and the police are also expected to appear before the inquiry.

Source: Jacaranda FM