The union in question, the Young Nurses’ Indaba Trade Union has now been notified by the registrar of labour relations of its intention to deregister the union.

In a letter of 28 September, the registrar wrote “the organization [YNITU] ceased to function in terms of its constitution. As a result thereof the organisation ceased to function as a genuine trade union as envisaged in the [labour relations act].”

The union leadership has 60 days to make representations to the registrar as to why YNITU should not be deregistered.

AmaBhungane’s initial investigation cast doubt on the legitimacy of the union’s 2021 elective congress that saw a faction loyal to Lerato Mthunzi, the wife of embattled Tembisa Hospital CEO Ashley Mthunzi, take power.

In response to questions, the office of the registrar told amaBhungane that” On the basis of the information presented” to it, it found that the congress was “illegitimate”.

Read amaBhungane’s original report here.