Attack on Solidarity member: video footage confirms Numsa involvement    

Trade union Solidarity today received CCTV footage of an assault in which one of its members was seriously injured. The video shows the member being attacked, after which armed individuals dressed in Numsa clothing flee the scene.

Gideon du Plessis, General Secretary of Solidarity, says he challenges Irvin Jim, General Secretary of Numsa, and Castro Ngobese, Numsa spokesperson, to view the video footage. "It is clearly visible on the footage that the strikers who committed the attack were dressed in Numsa clothing. They can therefore be regarded as Numsa members. Messrs Jim and Ngobese need to indicate whether they approve of the violence against our member, or what they intend to do about it."

Du Plessis points out that Numsa has so far rejected accusations that its members have been involved in violence. Ngobese was earlier quoted in the media as saying: "[The accusations] are just part of a cheap ploy by the employers to undermine the integrity of our struggle for a living wage and improved conditions of employment."

Statement issued by Gideon du Plessis, General Secretary, Solidarity, July 4 2014

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