The Department of Health said due to delay in the registration process they have not been registered yet.
Community service nurses employed at state health facilities are still being paid stipends as they are waiting for their certificates of registration.
The nurses stated that they were unable to meet their rent obligations and were struggling financially.
“We are entitled to earn salaries above R20 000 and above but we are only receiving stipends of R1 500.
“We graduated and are working but were told that we would only be paid stipends until our certificates arrive and that could take months.
“We are also worried that we may be exposing ourselves to litigation. We may lose our professional licences in the event of a malpractice suit because a patient can accuse us of not being in possession of our medical certificates.”
Spokesperson for the Department of Health Lebogang Majaha said they were aware of the concerns raised by community service nurses.
“The students have completed their studies but due to delay in the registration process they have not been registered yet. As soon as that process has been finalised they will be paid the salaries retrospectively.”
