South African health minister Aaron Motsoaledi told striking public sector workers that “those who interrupted vital medical care are guilty of murder.” In fact, he didn’t stop there. “We have demonstrated our humanity during the World Cup. Why now are people losing their humanity and prepared to murder?”

Do the unions care? Of course not. Well, they do, but only where their paying members are concerned. Meanwhile, the public health sector strike at Natalspruit Hospital, particularly in its neonatal ward, left hardened emergency staff traumatised this week at the sight of tiny babies being abandoned and left to die.