Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa

Media statement 

Wednesday, 08 February 2017 

The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA) reiterates what it has been saying to the media that a nurse collapsed at the South African Nursing Council (SANC) offices in Pretoria on 26 January while on a queue to pay for her annual practicing licence, and that she died on arrival in hospital. 

In the radio interview that DENOSA General Secretary, Oscar Phaka, had on 1 February at 05h41, he made it clear that a nurse collapsed at SANC offices while on the queue, and died on arrival in hospital. In the radio interview that DENOSA General Secretary did with SAFM on 1 February at 20h44, he made it clear that a nurse collapsed at SANC offices while on the queue, and died on arrival in hospital. DENOSA spokesperson, Sibongiseni Delihlazo, made it clear in his interview on 702 on 1 February at 12h51 that a nurse collapsed at SANC and died on arrival in hospital. He also said the same during the Power FM interview on 31 January 2017 at 15h15. 

DENOSA puts it categorically clear that its spokesperson, Sibongiseni Delihlazo, speaks on behalf of the organisation and therefore is mandated by the organisation to say whatever he says to the media. DENOSA takes great exception for the Council to single him out in its complain about what the organisation says instead of directing it to DENOSA as an organisation.    

DENOSA reiterates that SANC must open offices in provinces urgently, so that nurses don’t have to travel from KZN to SANC’s only offices in Pretoria to pay for their practicing licences if they are to get their licences instantly and not wait for months before their licences are posted to them when they pay via a bank. 

DENOSA will lead a national march of nurses on 22 February to SANC offices to demand, among many others, that:

• Provincial offices be opened by SANC; 

• Annual fee registration payment period for the following year be opened throughout the year and not only between July and December of each year;

DENOSA reiterates that its recent meeting requests in a form of letters with SANC to discuss pressing nursing issues have fell on deaf ears, and that is why we are resorting to a march on 22 February 2017.  DENOSA owes SANC no apology. DENOSA owes SANC no evidence, and they are at liberty to exercise their legal right.   

DENOSA cordially invites all members of the media to attend the national march on 22 February and report. The march will commence at 09h00 until 16h00.      

End

Issued by the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA)

For more information, contact:

Oscar Phaka, DENOSA General Secretary

Mobile: 082 328 9771 

Or

Sibongiseni Delihlazo, DENOSA Communications Manager

Mobile: 079 875 2663  

Website: www.denosa.org.za

Twitter: @DENOSAORG

Facebook: DENOSA National Page