South Africa has deployed military personnel to hospitals as a public health crisis intensifies after medics joined other public service workers in a strike to demand better pay.

Public workers have been protesting since Monday last week to demand for a 10% wage hike. The government has offered 4.7%.

Their union has vowed to intensify the strike until its demands are met.

Troops have been deployed to Thelle Mogoerane, Sebokeng and Bheki Mlangeni – the regions hardest hit by the strike.