Eastern Cape doctors protested on Tuesday, because the provincial health department has failed to pay their salaries for almost six months.
The National Union of Metalworkers of SA says the picket, held at the Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital in Mthatha, was led by the SA Medical Association.
Numsa provincial spokeperson, Phumzile Nodongwe says the union supports the protest, because it threatens the quality of healthcare for the poor.
Eastern Cape health department spokesperson, Sizwe Kupelo says the department is working to resolve the technical difficulties that caused the delay in wage payments.
He says of the 7000 staff affected, 4000 will receive their salaries on Thursday, after payments were processed on Monday evening..
Kupelo says the remaining 3000 will be paid soon, with the department working overtime to speed up the process.
