Numsa’s urgent application to hold a night vigil outside National Energy Regulator of SA (Nersa) offices is set for 12h00 on Wednesday 27 February at the Gauteng North High Court in Tshwane

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa’s (Numsa) urgent application to hold a night vigil outside the National Energy Regulator of South Africa’s (NERSA) offices will be heard tomorrow Wednesday 27 February 2013, at 12h00 midday, at the Gauteng North High Court in Tshwane.

Numsa approached the court:

• To have the union’s all-night candlelight vigil scheduled to start at 18h00 on Wednesday 27 February declared lawful

• To get an order that prevents the South African Police Services (SAPS) and the City of Tshwane’s Metropolitan Police Department.

Up to now SA Police Services and the City of Tshwane have refused to grant Numsa permission to hold the night vigil outside Nersa offices in Kulawula House, 526 Madiba (formerly Vermeulen) Street, Arcadia in Tshwane.

The event forms part of the union’s campaign for Nersa not to grant Eskom the annual average increase of 16% between this year and 2018. Nersa is due to announce its decision on the Eskom application on Thursday 28 February. Numsa decided to hold an all-night vigil as the union awaits the decision of the regulator the next day.

Numsa’s application to the High Court is in defence of the constitutional rights of its members to assemble, picket and protest.

Numsa national office bearers will be in court and will hold a press conference outside the court as the decision on the lawfulness of the night vigil is made.

ZWELINZIMA VAVI, COSATU General Secretary and national leaders of the Progressive Youth Alliance (PYA) are expected to address the night vigil on Wednesday night. The night vigil will be officiated by the revered Bishop of the Methodist Church comrade Paul Verryn.

Members of the media are hereby invited to attend the court proceedings and the night vigil.

Contact:

Castro Ngobese, National Spokesperson – 081 011 1137