Note to editors: Please find attached English soundbite by Madeleine Hicklin MPL.
The recent dispute over the evisceration or risk allowance paid to mortuary assistants in Gauteng’s forensic pathology laboratories should be a wake-up call for the Gauteng Department of Health. While the recent two-day POPCRU strike did not cause a backlog in post-mortems, it exposed unresolved concerns about poor working conditions and the R750-per-month risk allowance for staff working in hazardous and emotionally demanding environments. Unless addressed urgently, the department risks losing skilled personnel and compromising critical forensic pathology services to Gauteng residents.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) will formally write to the Gauteng Health MEC, Faith Mazibuko, urging her to engage with labour representatives to determine a fair, market-related increase in the allowance while simultaneously addressing broader workplace concerns raised by staff, as these issues cannot be ignored or wished away.
During the recent strike, forensic pathologists and their assistants downed tools, leaving only a handful of people on hand to carry out the necessary work to avoid a backlog in processing of examinations and reports. Staff raised concerns about exposure to biological hazards, inadequate health support, and the psychological toll of working with victims of violent crime. They also complained about the current evisceration allowance of R750 per month, stating that it is inadequate given the hazardous nature of their work.
While the DA does not support POPCRU’s demand to increase the allowance to R5 000 per month, given current fiscal pressures, the existing allowance does not adequately reflect the nature of the work being performed. The work is physically demanding and psychologically challenging, making regular counselling, support services, and trauma debriefing essential. The Gauteng Health Department must consider a market-related increase of at least double the current payment.
Compensation alone, however, will not solve the problem. The department must also ensure that all forensic pathology laboratories comply fully with Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) standards, provide adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and offer regular psychological support and debriefing services to employees exposed to traumatic and distressing circumstances. It is barely two years since we were denied access to the Hillbrow Mortuary in November 2024 to investigate allegations of OHS compliance failures.
The recent dispute should therefore not be viewed as a wage disagreement. It is a warning that frontline forensic staff feel undervalued and unsupported. The Gauteng Department of Health must act now to review the Evisceration Allowance, improve working conditions, and ensure that those performing this essential public service receive the protection and support they deserve.
The DA values forensic pathology services as a critical component of the criminal justice and healthcare systems. A DA-led Gauteng government would prioritise the well-being of forensic pathology staff, ensure safe working environments, and implement fair compensation structures that help retain critical skills while protecting essential services.