Maphutha Malatji Hospital workers protest management over alleged policy violations
Workers at Maphutha Malatji Hospital in Namakgale have raised serious concerns about the management of the facility, accusing its chief executive officer, Dr Sello Rasello, of running the hospital in a manner they believe deviates from the Limpopo Department of Health’s operational policies.
The workers, represented by the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU), staged a protest against the hospital management, demanding that their grievances be addressed and that management adhere to established departmental policies governing the running of public health facilities.
At the centre of the workers’ concerns is the leadership and management style under Rasello.
They allege that a number of decisions and practices at the hospital are inconsistent with the Department of Health’s operational framework and have negatively affected employees and their working conditions.
The workers argue that the alleged deviation from departmental policy infringes on their rights as public-sector employees and has created dissatisfaction among staff.
Among the issues raised by the workers are concerns about the implementation of operational decisions, adherence to departmental procedures, consultation with employees and organised labour, and the manner in which management deals with workplace matters.
NEHAWU has called for management to take the workers’ grievances seriously and to ensure that decisions affecting employees are handled in accordance with applicable departmental policies and labour processes.
The protest comes against the backdrop of Maphutha Malatji Hospital’s important role in providing healthcare services to communities in and around Namakgale and Phalaborwa.
The hospital is a district facility serving the surrounding communities and referring specialist cases to Letaba Hospital.
The hospital has previously been the subject of concerns involving management and labour relations. Historical records show that NEHAWU raised concerns about the institution’s leadership in the past, although those earlier disputes are separate from
The hospital management has acknowledged receipt of the grievances submitted by the workers through NEHAWU.
Management has undertaken to consider the complaints and respond to the union and employees by Wednesday, 2 September 2026.
Meanwhile, the provincial department of health is expected to address the concerns through the appropriate labour-relations and management structures, while ensuring that healthcare services at the hospital continue without disruption.
