SAFTU demands immediate release of Young Nurses Union leader
The South African Federation of Trade Unions strongly condemns the arrest and violent assault of Mduduzi Ndlovu, Secretary General of the Young Nurses Indaba Trade Union (YNITU), and demands his immediate and unconditional release.
Leaders of the union had arranged to attend a meeting with the Registrar of the South African Nursing Council at 12h00 on 23 June 2017, to discuss the Council’s attempts to block SAFTU-affiliated unions like YNITU and to protect other sweetheart unions.
While the union’s leaders were waiting for the doors of the Council’s offices to be opened, members of COSATU-affiiated union DENOSA arrived to demonstrate outside the venue to object to this meeting taking place, though they had received no permission for the demonstration.
The YNITU were directed to the 4th floor but on arrival they found that the doors of the rooms where the meeting was scheduled were locked.
Scuffles then broke out and Council security staff assaulted YNITU members. Several were injured and have been admitted to hospital. YNITU Secretary-General, Mdu Ndlovu, tried to calm everybody down but five of the security staff then took him into a room and brutally beat him with batons.
YNITU have footage and photos of all these things.
The police were called but arrested Mdu. He was charged with assault and damage to property. They have not laid any charges but he was taken under police guard to a Pretoria hospital with grievous injuries.
SAFTU sends Comrade Mdu best wishes for a full and speedy recovery from his injuries and demands his immediate release by the police, the dropping of all charges and a full inquiry into the assault of YNITU members by security staff.
We and urge all unions to mobilize support for their comrades in YNITU. An injury to one is an injury to all!
Patrick Craven, SAFTU Acting Spoksperson: 061 636 6057
YNITU Contact Number: 011 492 1537
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