In Conversation With Foster Mohale- Departmental Spokesperson (Department of Health)
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The National Department of Health has moved to reassure the public that forensic pathology services across South Africa remain fully operational despite sporadic picketing actions by forensic pathology staff in some provinces.
According to the Department, the demonstrations are linked to labour-related grievances involving forensic pathology officers and are being addressed through ongoing engagements with the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU), under the framework of the Public Health and Social Development Sectoral Bargaining Council.
Forensic pathology services — which include post-mortem examinations and medico-legal investigations — are classified as an essential service within the public health system. The Department has warned that any protest action escalating into work stoppages would be considered unprotected and could lead to disciplinary consequences.
While lunch-hour pickets are permitted within legal parameters, government insists that operations at forensic pathology centres continue uninterrupted. The Department has further urged members of the public to report any disruptions in service delivery to provincial health authorities for urgent intervention.
The developments place renewed attention on working conditions within the forensic pathology sector, the pressures facing frontline medico-legal staff, and the importance of maintaining critical public services amid labour disputes. Concerns also remain around the potential impact prolonged instability could have on criminal investigations, grieving families awaiting post-mortem processes, and the broader justice system
According to the Department, the demonstrations are linked to labour-related grievances involving forensic pathology officers and are being addressed through ongoing engagements with the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU), under the framework of the Public Health and Social Development Sectoral Bargaining Council.
Forensic pathology services — which include post-mortem examinations and medico-legal investigations — are classified as an essential service within the public health system. The Department has warned that any protest action escalating into work stoppages would be considered unprotected and could lead to disciplinary consequences.
While lunch-hour pickets are permitted within legal parameters, government insists that operations at forensic pathology centres continue uninterrupted. The Department has further urged members of the public to report any disruptions in service delivery to provincial health authorities for urgent intervention.
The developments place renewed attention on working conditions within the forensic pathology sector, the pressures facing frontline medico-legal staff, and the importance of maintaining critical public services amid labour disputes. Concerns also remain around the potential impact prolonged instability could have on criminal investigations, grieving families awaiting post-mortem processes, and the broader justice system
