The South African Minister of Health has announced that at least four deaths have been recorded in connection with the strike by health workers since the strike began last Tuesday.

Joe Phaahla revealed that a government legal team is considering legal action over the four deaths that he believes are directly related to the strike.

According to the source, senior ministry officials have been sent to hospitals in Gauteng, the province most affected by the strike. Strike marches are also taking place in the Eastern Cape, Kazulu-Natal, Free State and North West provinces.

The Minister said, however, that coordinated work was underway with the provincial directorates to ensure that the situation returned to normal as quickly as possible.

"At this stage, we have the feeling that violence and intimidation have decreased. In many hospitals there is more activity, more staff are returning and we will continue to follow up the places where there still seems to be some obstruction. We are working with all the provinces to make sure that services return to normal as quickly as possible," he said.

The National Union of Education, Health and Allied Workers is demanding, among other things, a ten percent salary increase. The government's proposal is for an increase of four point seven percent.

The South African Medical Association says it is regrettable that patients are suffering because some health workers have decided to go on strike nationwide.

He also says it is incomprehensible that essential workers should resort to strike action to assert their rights(RM)