The Star reports that the Health and Allied Workers Indaba Trade Union (Haitu) has filed an application for leave to appeal the Labour Court’s order granting the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) the right to place the union under administration.

According to Haitu’s general secretary, Lerato Mthunzi, the union has informed the DEL of its intention to appeal the ruling. "We have also informed the Department of Labour and the state attorney that we are appealing. What this means is that the union will continue its operations as normal and will continue to be led by the leadership that was elected at the last congress," Mthunzi indicated. Last week, the union said it would be investigating the authenticity of a court order that "purported to be a judgment from the Labour Court", claiming the union was already under administration. The union at the time said the order of the Labour Court (if proven to be genuine) gave the DEL the right to place Haitu under administration. Gerhard Vosloo has been appointed as the administrator. Mthunzi noted that the order came at a time when Haitu was being considered to join the Public Health and Social Development Sectoral Bargaining Council. She added that the union was the only militant union serving the interests of health workers in the country, and its liquidation would be a big blow to the sector.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Siyabonga Sithole at The Star

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