GQEBERHA - What began as a routine drop-off at Dora Nginza Hospital quickly turned into a distressing experience for Economic Freedom Fighters PR councillor Siyabulela Mosi.
Mosi captured photos and videos inside the facility, which he says show patients left unattended in what he describes as an abandoned environment.
This comes as the Motherwell Community Health Centre remains closed after staff downed tools.
Workers say repeated break-ins at the facility have put their lives -- and those of patients -- at risk.
As a result, patients who would normally be treated at Motherwell have been redirected to Dora Nginza Hospital.
Now, healthcare workers at the hospital have also downed tools, citing overwhelming workloads and extended working hours.
In one of the videos, a man can be seen lying unconscious on the floor. It is unclear whether he is alive or dead.
READ: Workload pressures blamed for Dora Nginza Hospital horrors
"It is unacceptable," said Mosi.
"This only came to our attention since Motherwell has been closed for three weeks," he added.
"The closest other health facility is Dora Nzinga, where workers have called the department to intervene as they could not cope with the strain."
The Eastern Cape Health Department has condemned the ongoing unprotected strike at both facilities.
"Any disruption, particularly one that falls outside the legal framework governing labour relations, potentially affects patients and could compromise access to critical services," said the department in a statement.
"These concerns were legitimate and have been treated with urgency and seriousness," they said.
Speaking to eNCA, department spokesperson Siyanda Manana described the situation as unfortunate.
READ: Shocking images emerge of alleged patient neglect at Dora Nginza Hospital
He said officials have engaged hospital management to find a way forward.
"The issue that is being raised is that they are overwhelmed by the work since Motherwell is not operational," he said.
Workers have also alleged they are working shifts of up to 33 hours instead of the standard 16.
The department has requested proof, which Manana says has not yet been provided.
Manana added that, to the department’s knowledge, no deaths have been reported as a result of the strike, although the condition of the man seen in the video remains unknown.
He has described the strike as a violation of patients’ rights.
"We are dealing with that," he says.
"We are issuing letters of intention to discipline," he said.
Skeleton staff are currently operating at the hospital, while some patients have been transferred to nearby facilities.
"We are going to deal with the perpetrators without mercy," said Manana.
Regarding safety concerns at Motherwell Community Health Centre, the department says additional security has been deployed, including visible police patrols.
Measures also include clearing overgrown vegetation, installing floodlights and CCTV cameras, and reinforcing the facility with burglar-proofing.
Despite these interventions, Mosi says staff remain fearful and intimidated.