This news aggregator site highlights South African labour news from a wide range of internet and print sources. Each posting has a synopsis of the source article, together with a link or reference to the original. Postings cover the range of labour related matters from industrial relations to generalist human resources.
In our afternoon roundup, see summaries
of our selection of South African labour-
related stories that appeared thus far on
Wednesday, 18 September 2019.
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Armed men kill security guard at Randridge Mall on Tuesday after he pressed panic button News24 reports that a security guard was shot dead during a business robbery in Randridge Mall in Randburg on Tuesday. Six suspects, two armed with pistols, accosted the guard at one of the entrances of the mall. Honeydew police spokesperson Balan Muthan said the incident happened at around 10:30 and that the suspects forced the guard to take them to Pep Stores, where they ransacked the money till. They stole R270 and robbed a woman of her wedding ring. The security guard then pressed the panic button, but when the robbers saw that, they shot the guard in the lower abdomen and fled the scene. Paramedics managed to stabilised the guard, before taking him to hospital, but he died on the way there. Cases of business robbery, armed robbery and murder are being investigated. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Sesona Ngqakamba at News24 Department of Employment and Labour’s Compensation Fund again fails to get auditor-general’s approval BusinessLive reports that there has been scant improvement in the financial management of the Compensation Fund with the auditor-general having to issue a disclaimer on the 2018/19 financial statements because of a lack of sufficient evidence to provide a basis for an audit opinion. The fund, which pays compensation for disablement of workers caused by occupational injuries or diseases sustained or contracted in the course of work, or for death resulting from such injuries or diseases, is funded by a levy paid by employers. It has been plagued by inefficiencies and maladministration for years with medical practitioners and hospitals complaining about the backlogs and lengthy delays in payments. Compensation Fund commissioner Vuyo Mafata is driving a turnaround strategy at the entity but the fruits have not yet been forthcoming in terms of a favourable audit opinion. A key element of the turnaround strategy is to split the core business of the fund into three divisions, namely compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act services, medical benefits and rehabilitation services. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Linda Ensor at BusinessLive Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Metrobus seeks court interdict to halt Demawusa strike EWN reports that according to Metrobus, it had resolved to take the Democratic Municipal and Allied Workers’ Union (Demawusa) to the Labour Court for its strike to be interdicted. The strike headed into a third day on Wednesday. The workers are demanding to be paid in line with their years of experience at the Johannesburg municipal entity and for office space to be allocated to the union in all three Metrobus depots. But Metrobus indicated that as a minority union, Demawusa had limited bargaining rights. Metrobus spokesperson Goodwill Shivuri said: "We will be heading to court to see if we can get an interdict on the strike, so as soon as we get the green light we want to redeem services as soon as possible." But Demawusa's Dion Makhura was convinced they had a counter case. "It's not difficult because we were given the go-ahead to strike on the two issues," he asserted. Read the full original of the above report by Kgomotso Modise at EWN
Elections for leadership positions on the agenda for this week’s Amcu’s elective conference EWN reports that the much-awaited national elective congress of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) was set to begin in Johannesburg on Wednesday morning. The three-day congress comes after a protracted battle between the union and the registrar for labour relations, who threatened to deregister the union for failing to hold a congress within five years as stipulated in its constitution. The registrar earlier this month withdrew his notice of intent to de-register the union on the basis of its undertaking to hold the elective congress. The gathering will also provide Amcu members with an opportunity to elect new leaders. Although the union’s officials have been mum about whether leadership positions were being contested, the draft programme for the congress did make provision for elections. Amcu president Joseph Mathunjwa recently said he was open to returning to his position if members so wished. The union has also declared a dispute with platinum producers after wage negotiations deadlocked, an issue which will be high on the agenda during the congress. Read the original of the above report by Theto Mahlakoana at EWN Surreal happenings around sale of Lily and Barbrook mines Moneyweb reports that a strange fight for ownership of Vantage Goldfields’ two gold mines, the ill-fated Lily mine and its more attractive sister Barbrook, has been developing over the last few months. And it seems to be far from over. The Siyakhula Sonke Corporation (SSC) announced in July that its subsidiary Flaming Silver Trading had acquired the mines and would restart mining within a few months. This news was followed a few weeks later by an announcement by another grouping, Real Win Investment (RWI), that it had acquired the mines and that RWI was the new owner. Meanwhile, behind the scenes, several teams of lawyers were fighting it out in the court, each trying to secure the mines for their clients. Page after page of court documents paint a story of intrigue, including disagreements between fellow directors, in what can only be described as a bitter feud. The latest is that SSC has filed leave to appeal the most recent court order, which ruled that the purchase agreement between SSC and Vantage should be cancelled. SSC argues that the court erred in its judgement as all conditions in the purchase agreement have been met and the agreement should be enforced. Both mines closed soon after a mining shaft at Lily mine collapsed in February 2016, killing three employees. The relevant companies were placed in business rescue with the hope that at least parts of the businesses could be saved. An increase in the gold price created expectations that Barbrook, at least, would be able to survive under new ownership. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Adriaan Kruger at Moneyweb Other general posting(s) relating to mining
Cosatu says Tito Mboweni economic reform plan must go back to drawing board BusinessLive reports that trade union federation Cosatu has submitted a formal response to the National Treasury’s economic reform paper, saying that it will increase conflict in the labour market and should be submitted to the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) for discussion, urgently. Cosatu also indicated that it disagreed strongly with a number of the policy recommendations, such as exemption for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from the national minimum wage and the privatisation of Eskom power stations. A policy intervention that relied on “starvation wages” of workers would not result in economic growth and job creation, it said. The deadline for comments on the paper was 15 September, which was met by Cosatu, some government departments and some business organisations. The ANC, which still intends to comment, began a process of discussion this week. Cosatu said it was particularly aggrieved by the lack of process followed by finance minister Tito Mboweni in releasing the paper and his failure to take into consideration the processes at Nedlac, which resulted in the job summit agreement last year. Cosatu also criticised the Treasury paper for its limited focus on micro-economic reforms when there was a need for macro-economic policy changes that could ignite growth. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Carol Paton at BusinessLive
Consumer inflation quickens to 4.3% year-on-year in August due mielie meal price shock Fin24 reports that Statistics SA reported on Wednesday that the consumer price inflation (CPI) rate rose by 4.3% year-on-year in August, compared to 4% in July. Annual food inflation reached its highest level in 18 months, registering 3.8% in the month of August. This was mostly due to an 8.6% increase in bread and cereal prices. Mielie meal prices have seen a sharp hike. Super maize was almost 18% more expensive in August compared with the same month last year. Special maize prices jumped by 27.5% over the same period. Oil-based food items – such as cooking oil and margarine, which are derived mainly from sunflowers – also saw a sharp jump. Fish prices are also on an upward trend. Annual fish inflation was 7.5% in August, with tinned fish (excluding tuna) 8.7% more expensive than it was a year ago. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Helena Wasserman at Fin24 SA petrol price still expected to decrease in October, but by less than anticipated News24Wire reports that an attack on a major oil facility in Saudi Arabia means that a predicted drop in the petrol price for October will be lower than anticipated, the Automobile Association (AA) pointed out on Wednesday. The organisation was commenting on unaudited mid-month fuel price data released by the Central Energy Fund (CEF) and said: "The refinery strike was a game-changer for the way oil price stability is viewed. At a single stroke, five to seven percent of the world's oil output was wiped from the board, leading oil prices to surge disproportionately." The AA said it now expected the price of a litre of 95 octane petrol to drop by 5 cents, and a litre of 93 octane by 20 cents in October. Before the attack cut Saudi oil production by half, CEF data was indicating a drop of 11 cents for 95 octane and 25 cents for 93 octane petrol. The AA expects the price of diesel to increase by 13 cents a litre. Read the original of the above report at Engineering News
Police assessment recommends bodyguards for SABC executives committed to clean-up The Star reports that a security risk assessment conducted by the police’s crime intelligence unit has recommended that executives at the SA Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) who have committed to cleaning up the public broadcaster be given bodyguards. This was revealed by SABC board chairperson Bongumusa Makhathini to the communications portfolio committee. “Their (executives) lives are at risk. All of them, it was recommended, must have close protection everywhere they go,” he told MPs. He said the full security assessment report, which had yet to be tabled before the board, posed financial constraints in light of the costs which would be involved. “No amount of money is worth more than the lives of people. It is important to note if you see the chief executive with two bodyguards, it is what we have been advised by experts to do,” Makhathini stated. The risk assessment was undertaken after an attempt to assassinate the SABC’s chief audit executive, Thami Zikode. Earlier, the chairperson said SABC executives faced plenty of attacks, and their reputations were being tarnished for holding people to account. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mayibongwe Maqhina at Independent News SAA cash injection of R5.5bn imminent, but airline says it needs more Reuters reports that according to South African Airways (SAA), a government cash injection of R5.5 billion approved for the 2019/20 financial year is expected at the end of the month. But the state-owned carrier still needs more money, a presentation to lawmakers showed on Wednesday. SAA has debt of about R12.7 billion, consisting of R9.2 billion of legacy debt and a R3.5 billion working capital facility provided by banks. “SAA requires R2 billion to fund working capital in FY 2019/20 by December 2019,” the presentation indicated. Read the original of the above report at EWN
Trevor Manuel apologises for his ‘unguarded observation’ about judge who reinstated Old Mutual CEO BL Premium reports that Old Mutual chair Trevor Manuel has apologised unreservedly for his criticism of a judgment that reinstated Peter Moyo as CEO at the insurance company. In a statement released on Tuesday, the former finance minister apologised for the comment he made at a media conference last week that the Old Mutual board’s decision to fire Moyo was able to be overturned “by a single individual who happens to wear a robe”. Manuel’s comments were made in reference to Judge Brian Mashile, who ruled that the board’s dismissal of Moyo was illegal and ordered his reinstatement. “My unguarded observation, although withdrawn, has understandably caused discomfort for which I apologise unreservedly, to the honourable judge presiding and to my fellow South Africans,” Manuel said. Moyo and Old Mutual have been involved in a public battle because the insurer fired him in June, citing a breakdown in trust and an alleged conflict of interest. Moyo then sued for unfair dismissal. The Johannesburg High Court ruled in his favour and twice ordered his reinstatement. But Old Mutual barred Moyo from resuming his duties as it was appealing the judgments, and because it has issued a second dismissal letter. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lisa Steyn and Genevieve Quintal at BusinessLive (paywall access only). Read too, Manuel apologises to judge for snide remark, at SowetanLive
Major disruptions in Vereeniging after train derails on Wednesday morning The Citizen and News24Wire report that Metrorail train services in Vereeniging have been disrupted after a train derailed on Wednesday morning. Commuters were advised to seek alternative transport methods while emergency teams cleared the derailment site. According to Metrorail spokesperson Lillian Mofokeng, the cause of the derailment has yet to be determined, but no commuter injuries have been reported. “No train can move in and out of the Vereeniging complex,” Mofokeng said. Five trainsets were scheduled to depart from Vereeniging to Johannesburg via Midway, and two sets scheduled to depart towards Germiston via Meyerton. But due to the derailment, only four trainsets would be departing from Johannesburg, and three trainsets departing from Germiston. Read the original of the above report at The Citizen Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Elderly Cape Town ‘recruiter’ fined R10,000 for selling three men into forced labour News24 reports that a "recruiter" who sold three young men to a Cape Town businessman and tavern owner has been fined R10,000 or two years in prison, suspended for five years. Hawks spokesperson Captain Philani Nkwalase explained that Cosian Hendriks, 74, recruited his three victims from Colesburg with promises of employment opportunities. The men were picked up by a taxi driver at their homes in the Northern Cape on 27 July last year and driven to Cape Town. Nkwalase explained: "On arrival in Athlone, they were dropped off with Hendriks, who sold them off to a businessman and the tavern owner in Athlone. The three victims were forced into hard labour and stayed in a crude and unhealthy accommodation. Their pleas to be returned home a day after their arrival were met with resistance, as they were told to first pay back costs incurred. The matter was reported to the Athlone police, when the father of one victim heard about their plight." Hendriks and the tavern owner were arrested in July 2018. Initially charged with human trafficking, this was converted to a contravention of the Employment Services Act of 2014. "Consequently, the tavern owner was released as the victims were saved before they could be exploited," Nkwalase indicated. Read the original of the above report by Tammy Petersen at News24
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