In our afternoon roundup, see summaries
of our selection of South African labour-
related stories that appeared thus far on
Thursday, 4 July 2019.
|
Shocked national police commissioner vows to track down cold-blooded killers of Gauteng cop ANA reports that national police commissioner General Khehla John Sitole has expressed shock at the cold-blooded murder of a Gauteng crime intelligence police officer and vowed to track down the killers. According to police, Constable Ntobeko Nhlanhla Langa was followed by a white sedan with three male occupants on Wednesday. "When the member stopped his vehicle, one suspect alighted from the sedan and fired multiple shots at him, killing him instantly. Nothing, including the member's service pistol, was taken from the member," a spokesperson for the national commissioner said. Langa had been attached to the Crime Intelligence Unit in Soweto East since 2011 and was due to testify in the Randfontein Magistrate's Court on Thursday. In a separate incident on Wednesday, another member of the SA Police Service (SAPS) was shot and wounded while conducting crime prevention duties in Attridgeville, west of Pretoria. He was part of a team that was searching for suspects that had allegedly been committing robberies in the area. In a routine stop-and-search, the team pulled a vehicle off the road, but as they ordered the suspect to alight, he began shooting towards the members, wounding Constable Tumelo Raphael Mohlala. The members returned fire at the suspect, who was later certified dead. Read the full original of the report on the above story at Independent News Medic assaulted inside ambulance by father of patient who crashed bakkie into house TimesLIVE reports that a paramedic driving an ambulance was attacked by a passenger as they transported an injured motorist to hospital in the North West. The incident unfolded after ER24 personnel were called on Monday to the scene of an accident in Potchefstroom, where a bakkie had ploughed through a fence and crashed into the kitchen of a house. The driver was found lying trapped inside the vehicle and had to be extricated by the fire department. "While on the way to hospital, the father of the patient, who was in the front passenger seat of the ambulance, without warning punched the ER24 medic in the face and immediately attempted to grab the steering wheel,” said ER24 spokesperson Russel Meiring. The medic was able to defend himself from further attacks by managing to pull the vehicle over safely and remove himself from the situation. After climbing out the ambulance, the assailant climbed into a vehicle that had been following the ambulance to hospital and left the scene. The injured patient was handed over to staff at a private hospital and the medic was assessed by a doctor before reporting the incident to police. Read the full original of the report on the above story at TimesLIVE Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Initial work by CSIR on ‘just energy transition’ points to need to cushion coal regions Mining Weekly reports that the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Energy Centre has initiated a project to model the socioeconomic risks and opportunities associated with SA’s transition from a coal-dominant electricity industry to one that is increasingly based on renewable energy. The project is due to be completed during the first quarter of 2020. The initial results indicate that the transition can deliver significant employment, social and environmental benefits. However, detailed planning and coordination will be required in order to limit potential social dislocation in coal regions. The study takes account of Eskom’s planned decommissioning schedule for its older coal-fired power stations, most of which are located in Mpumalanga. In addition, the CSIR has integrated results from a wide-ranging analysis conducted on the employment scenarios likely to arise from the implementation of the draft Integrated Resource Plan 2018. Renewable energy is anticipated to contribute up to 246,000 jobs for solar PV and up to 344,000 jobs for wind energy by 2030. Although coal will remain the biggest employer in the sector overall in 2030, due to its larger share of total installed capacity, jobs across the coal value chain – including mining, manufacturing, operations and maintenance – will fall by about 100,000, from 287,000 in 2020 to about 183,000 in 2030 as a result of decommissioning. In the absence of a specific intervention to cushion coal-dependent municipalities in Mpumalanga, the socioeconomic impact of the decline could be devastating, CSIR energy economist for energy industry and markets Ruan Fourie has cautioned. Read the full original of the informative report in the above regard at Mining Weekly Concerns over illegal mining prompts Blyvoor Gold to send open letter to Gauteng’s police chief Mining Weekly reports that the reemergence of illegal mining in the Carletonville area on the West Rand has prompted Blyvoor Gold to write an urgent open letter to Gauteng's provincial commissioner of police, Lieutenant-General E Mawela. The letter follows a growing list of illegal mining-related violence, including last month's suspected murder by zama-zamas of a couple stranded without petrol at an East Rand highway offramp, near Putfontein, and this week's closure of a road on the West Rand by Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba owing to dangers posed by illegal mining activities in the Roodepoort area. The contents of the letter to the general highlights the huge issue of the confiscation by police of legal and licensed security force firearms, and the abject failure of police to curb the activities of zama-zamas with illegal and unlicenced firearms. The letter was forwarded by Blyvoor Gold management, the Community of Blyvoor, represented by Johannes Tala, and Blyvoor Gold's black economically empowered (BEE) employees, represented by Wels Sempe. Blyvoor Gold's employees own 26% of the shares of the company, which also has community support. Sempe is playing a leading role in reopening the mine, which has the potential to re-employ 2,000 abandoned former mineworkers. Blyvoor Gold, which is in the process of completing a six-metre-high bullet-resistant security wall around the reopening shaft and brand new gold plant, is targeting resuming gold production in the last quarter of this year. Read the full original of the report in the above regard and the text of the open letter at Mining Weekly Six Royal Bafokeng board members who are accountants probed by Saica for alleged unethical conduct The Star reports that the SA Institute of Chartered Accountants (Saica) has launched an investigation into six board members of Royal Bafokeng Platinum following a complaint about their alleged unethical conduct. Saica is investigating the six because they are chartered accountants and registered with the organisation. The probe is a culmination of wrangles between Royal Bafokeng and an investment company which has accused the mine of being part of a plot to defraud it. Ithemba Financial Services allegedly lost some R2.4 million mysteriously after doing business with the mine. Ithemba confirmed that it approached Saica to lodge a complaint against chartered accountants on Royal Bafokeng’s board, in the belief that they had acted unethically by allowing fraud to happen under their watch. Ithemba indicated: “We’ve tried by all means to resolve the matter. It’s the board that’s responsible for this matter. We’re not fighting anybody. We want our money back. That’s all we want. We want justice.” Saica confirmed that it was probing the matter, but would not comment further. Royal Bafokeng said Ithemba’s claims were spurious. Read the full original of Bongani Nkosi’s report on the above story at The Star Other labour / community posting(s) relating to mining
Postings on mining charter / transformation
Other general posting(s) relating to mining
Afrikaans teachers’ union Saou facing probe by labour registrar in addition to criminal investigation The Citizen reports that Afrikaans teachers’ union the Suid Afrikaanse Onderwysers Unie (Saou) is facing another investigation, with its secretary-general’s R3.6 million salary among a flurry of alleged irregularities subject to a labour registrar’s probe. Registrar advocate Lehlohonolo Molefe confirmed the investigation, but would not reveal details. It is apparently at an advanced stage. At the heart of members’ complaints, which are also the subject of a criminal investigation, are allegations of fraud, corruption and money laundering, and the use of allegedly dubious entities. The labour department is apparently also looking at constitutional irregularities, as Chris Klopper was listed as the secretary-general in the union’s constitution as filed with the department, but used the title of chief executive officer. It was revealed last week how the union’s members were horrified by Klopper’s R3,651,851 annual salary. Also in the spotlight was a failure to keep minutes of critical meetings where far-reaching decisions involving the union’s finances were taken. “The process that is likely to unfold is putting the union under administration, paving the way for its deregistration, as it is an illegally run entity, fleecing its members,” a source observed. Read the full original of Sipho Mabena’s report on the above story at The Citizen
Bonus windfalls for Mediclinic executives, despite 70% slump in share value BL Premium reports that Mediclinic International’s disappointing offshore ventures have resulted in the private hospital group shedding more than 70% of its value in the past three years, but its senior executives have continued to get generous bonuses. But, there is said to be growing disquiet among a minority of institutional investors, and the company may face tough questions at its AGM later this month. Mediclinic’s 2019 annual report shows its CEO, Ronnie van der Merwe, and CFO, Jurgens Myburgh, got short-term incentive bonuses of £110,000 and £87,000 respectively for the period, despite the company’s after-tax loss of £130m and a 43% drop in the share price. These bonuses were in addition to their guaranteed packages of £447,000 and £396,000. They did not qualify for long-term bonuses for 2018, but are set to receive them in the coming year to the extent of 200% of base salary for Van der Merwe and 150% for Myburgh. The rewards were in line with Mediclinic’s remuneration policy, which got the thumbs-up from an overwhelming 93.5% of shareholders at last year’s AGM. Investec Asset Management, which holds 3% of Mediclinic’s shares, has been unhappy with Mediclinic’s remuneration policy for some time and voted against the resolution covering directors’ pay at last year’s AGM. Meantime, Sanlam Investments portfolio manager Charl de Villiers said: "We are unlikely to support the [remuneration] policy as it stands." Read the full original of Tamar Kahn’s report in the above regard at BusinessLive (paywall access only)
Communications Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams would rather quit than give blank cheque to bankrupt SABC TimesLIVE reports that Communications Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams has told Parliament that she was prepared to quit her job rather than give the cash-strapped SA broadcasting Corporation (SABC) a loan guarantee while it does not have a solid turnaround strategy. Ndabeni-Abrahams dropped the bombshell during a meeting between public entities within her department and parliament's portfolio committee on communications, at which she had a heated exchange with DA MP Phumzile van Damme. She accused Ndabeni-Abrahams of being "flippant" about the SABC's cash crunch, arguing that it had, up to now, taken her department and the national treasury six months to approve or reject the public broadcaster's loan guarantee application. The SABC currently owes suppliers about R1.9bn, while it struggles to continue paying salaries. Its buildings now pose an occupational health and safety risk to its employees after years of no maintenance due to lack of money. Under pressure from Van Damme, Ndabeni-Abrahams said she would rather step down from cabinet than give money to the SABC when she did not know how it would be spent. Ndabeni-Abrahams said another meeting to discuss the SABC's loan guarantee application with the national treasury was due to take place on Thursday. Read the full original of Thabo Mokone’s report on the above story at TimesLIVE Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Durban July at risk with Phumelela Gaming and Leisure aiming to retrench 500 workers Business Report writes that Phumelela Gaming and Leisure has confirmed that it is in the process of retrenching at least 500 workers and closing some of its Betting World and Tab stores because of the dismal state of the economy. In a statement on Wednesday aimed chiefly at allaying fears of disruptions to the Vodacom Durban July at Greyville this weekend, Phumelela said it had undertaken a Section 189A retrenchment process, facilitated by the CCMA, because it had no option but to close a number of stores that were not operating profitably. Yet, the Academic and Professional Staff Association’s (Apsa’s) Professor Boitumelo Senokoane said there were no standing agreements with the union on either the Durban July, or retrenchments, and that the union would continue to oppose the retrenchments. Senokoane said the union had been in talks with Phumelela over the retrenchments, which had been whittled down to 500 workers from an initial proposal of 800 in March, until the leisure group abandoned negotiations. “We will still be disrupting the Durban July over the retrenchments; we are opposing the retrenchment of some of our members,” he indicated. Senokoane confirmed that the retrenchments would affect the two divisions and that the union would work on halting the retrenchments altogether. According to Phumelela’s Danie Theron, the offer to the Betting World staff had been amended and the revised offer had been submitted to Apsa for a response. But Senokoane dismissed this, saying that there had been no discussions since Phumelela staged a walk-out on negotiations and talks collapsed. Read the full original of Banele Ginindza’s report on the above story on page 19 of Business Report of 4 July 2019. Read too, Union threatens Durban July over retrenchments, at BusinessLive
NUM cries foul after millions allegedly diverted from construction industry retirement fund BusinessLive reports that the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has called for a special board meeting of the Construction Industry Retirement Benefit Fund to discuss the alleged misappropriation of R4.8m. The union, which organises in the mining and construction sectors, expressed concern on Tuesday about the possible abuse of monies in the fund, which is administered by Alexander Forbes. Tebatso Mokoena, the NUM's construction sector co-ordinator, alleged that R2.5m was used to buy t-shirts for the fund for marketing purposes without proper procedure having been followed. A forensic audit has been instituted to determine if any fraudulent activity took place and whether the t-shirts were delivered. The NUM wants another investigation into R2.3m that was allegedly paid to printers, “but transferred to another account leaving only R200,000 in the printer’s account”. Mokoena said a special board meeting of the fund will be held soon to discuss the outcomes of the forensic audits. An Alexander Forbes spokesperson said the fund was a client of Alexander Forbes, “thus your enquiry should be directed to them." The fund could not immediately be reached for comment. Read the full original of Luyolo Mkentane’s report on the above story at BusinessLive Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Gautrain to take disciplinary action against bus driver filmed using phone while driving TimesLIVE reports that Gautrain operator Bombela advised on Wednesday that it would be taking disciplinary steps against a bus driver who was shown on social media using his cellphone while driving. The incident was filmed on Tuesday afternoon by a Twitter user. Gautrain management thanked the passenger for taking the time to bring this matter to its attention and apologised - saying it should not have happened. “Driving whilst using a cell phone is not only in contravention of our company rules but also that of the National Road Traffic Act. We will be taking the necessary internal disciplinary steps and we will ensure that due process is followed in this regard,” Gautrain spokesperson Kesagee Nayager said. The driver will not be driving during the disciplinary period. Read the original of Ernest Mabuza’s report on the above story at TimesLIVE
Internal auditors ‘need state protection’ for exposing corruption Independent News reports that a report by the Institute for Internal Auditors SA (IIA SA), which was released in May, revealed that one out of five internal auditors feared for their lives, and those of their families, in the event of them exposing questionable activities in their investigations. Economist George Glynos commented that the report indicated a desperate state of affairs and added: “We would want to see the institutional capacity of the NPA and the Hawks kick into play in a way that people such as internal auditors can feel protected from this sort of behaviour, and if it does crop up that they feel entitled and emboldened to approach them, and for those (guilty) people to be held accountable.” According to Dr Claudelle von Eck, the chief executive of the IIA SA, the institute has over the last number of years received numerous verbal reports from internal auditors claiming that they were being victimised, intimidated and coerced into sweeping findings under the carpet. Meanwhile, many said that they lived in fear of losing their jobs, with some even fearing for their lives. Political analyst Ralph Mathekga noted that internal auditors were at the coalface of fighting maladministration and that they would be the first people that corrupt elements would want to overrun. “These types of crimes should be taken very seriously, and we should protect those who are willing to act in good faith, and the best way to protect them is to go against the bad guys,” Mathekga said. Read the full original of Samkelo Mtshali’s report in the above regard at Independent News Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Passenger takes over and drives taxi after Joburg metro cop 'pepper-sprays' driver TimesLIVE reports that a passenger made the hasty decision to take over the driving of a taxi after the driver was allegedly pepper-sprayed by a Joburg metro cop. Tshepiso Shongwe was in a taxi on the way to Noord taxi rank on Wednesday morning when the driver made an illegal move into oncoming traffic. “We were stopped by metro police but because the driver started fighting, then he got pepper-sprayed,” she said. The 35-year-old, who holds a code 14 driver's licence, said all the passengers complained until the pepper-sprayed driver asked if someone could drive the taxi. “I decided to drive the taxi but it’s a skorokoro and had to have him help me drive by changing the gears,” she said. In a video making the rounds on social media, the driver can be seen writhing in pain in the passenger seat. Shongwe received R20 from the taxi driver as a token of appreciation after they reached their destination. Ralph Jones of SA National Taxi Council (Santaco) said: "We are not aware of this video but it is scary if metro police can come and pepper-spray our drivers. If he did something wrong then they should have given him a ticket or arrested him.” Metro police spokesperson Wayne Minnaar said they would investigate the incident, but added: "If the person who was driving the taxi does not have the relevant documents to drive, then that would have been illegal and we will have to investigate.” Read the full original of Karabo Ledwaba’s report on the above story at TimesLIVE
|
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page