Spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo said MEC Pumulo Masualle had already given instructions for the payout of backlogs, and the cash would be in their bank accounts within the next two weeks.

"The department does not dispute they are owed these benefits," he said.

"We anticipate they will be back at work by the end of business today."

The backlogs related to a dispute over pay that dated back to the incorporation of the former Ciskei and Transkei administrations into a single provincial health system.

Kupelo said the staff were picketing at the depot on Thursday morning.

"At this stage our hospitals are not under threat because drugs have been distributed," Kupelo said.

"They have placed their orders, and the orders have been sent through."

Kupelo also said the province had not been given any indication that its doctors would join in a national protest called for Friday on the occupational specific dispensation issue.

If they did, the province would call on sessional doctors from the private sector to fill the gaps.

Sapa

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