SAFTU stands in solidarity with the family and community of Nathaniel Julius
1 September 2020
The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) is utterly disgusted that yet again, the security forces stand accused of the brutal murder of a young, innocent child with Down Syndrome disabilities in Eldorado Park, Johannesburg.
There was no reason whatsoever for the police to draw out their guns and shoot and kill, in cold blood, a child – the well known and loved Nathaniel Julius, aged 16 – who was not a threat to anyone’s life. He was simply eating a biscuit last Wednesday, and had been excited by police sirens when running from his house to the sidewalk.
The police lied and claimed he was caught in gang violence cross-fire, a fib enough witnesses could disprove that two police were arrested by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate for Nathaniel’s murder last Friday.
Eldorado Park residents have protested against the government’s inattention to their housing and service needs for decades. Indeed, the first known post-apartheid police shootings of community demonstrators – leaving four protesters dead – occurred in February 1997 in this same impoverished neighbourhood, on the south side of Johannesburg.