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
