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
Monday, 18 November 2019.
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Amid strike, SAA announces six continental flights to resume from Tuesday Eyewitness News and Reuters report that South African Airways (SAA) intends to reinstate six continental flights from Tuesday. It said customers travelling on the airline's regional network to Accra, Lagos, Lusaka, Maputo, Windhoek and Harare would be rebooked and could expect to be contacted shortly. According to SAA, all international services were operating as normal. Flights were cancelled over the weekend after thousands of employees went on strike over wages and the national carrier's plan to restructure. The carrier and unions representing over half of its workforce held negotiations on Saturday that ended without an agreement. By Sunday, both sides were trading threats. The striking unions threatened on Sunday to shut down SA’s entire aviation industry by extending industrial action beyond state-run SAA. The National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa), which called the strike alongside the South African Cabin Crew Association, indicated that it was now consulting with its members at other organisations in the industry on a secondary strike. Meantime, SAA’s acting CEO Zuks Ramasia called on the unions to retract statements made with regards to SAA’s safety, saying that otherwise, the airline would consider taking legal action. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at EWN. Read too, SAA denies 'malicious' union claims that its flights are unsafe, at EWN Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Autopax bus driver wounded and passengers injured in Ixopo shooting on Sunday The Mercury reports that police are investigating a shooting incident that led to a long distance bus overturning on the R56 between Ixopo and Richmond on Sunday night. The driver sustained a gunshot wound. According to the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa), the incident, involving an Autopax bus, took place at approximately 8pm. Spokesperson Nana Zenani said the state-owned enterprise’s protection services were escorting the Autopax bus. “The driver along with a number of passengers were also injured and transported to various hospitals in the area with no fatalities,” Zenani advised. She indicated that Prasa was actively investigating the incident and was continuing to escort the Autopax services. In September, it was reported that a Translux bus driver had been killed and another critically wounded after two drive-by shootings minutes apart on the R56 near Ixopo. At the time, the SA Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) called for swift action from the authorities. Meanwhile, a 29-year-old bus driver was shot dead in Verulam last week, allegedly by a passenger. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Karen Singh at The Mercury
Military veterans complain they have been sidelined in their quest to meet with Ramaphosa The Citizen reports that the failure of a group of former combatants in liberation movements to secure a meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa to raise their plight has soured relations with the country’s highest office. In a letter on 15 November, the Tshwane metro refused to grant the group permission to march to the Union Buildings to hand over a memorandum. According to Concerned Military Veterans (CMV) spokesperson Mangaliso Petse, the group comprised former members of Umkhonto weSizwe, the Azanian Peoples’ Liberation Army and the Azanian National Liberation Army who want to stage a march in the hope of being “heard by the president”. Poverty-stricken and claiming to be “on the fringes and marginalised” by the post-democracy ANC-led government, Petse said on Sunday that although they had sent letters to Ramaphosa, no government official had assisted them to access military pensions, housing, vocational training or support for the exhumation of fellow cadres who had died in exile. “Despite having made sacrifices by contributing to the liberation of this country, we now often have to go begging to the Gift of the Givers and to Sassa for food parcels. We are not being treated in the manner a government should treat its military veterans,” said Petse. The report lists the military veterans’ other demands. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Brian Sokutu at The Citizen
Amcu says ‘brought certainty’ to PGM industry with signing of wage agreements Business Report writes that the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) on Friday said that it had brought certainty to the platinum industry after signing a three-year wage deal with SA’s biggest platinum producers. Amcu signed the agreement with Sibanye-Stillwater, Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) and Impala Platinum (Implats) following four months of talks. At the signing ceremony, Amcu president Joseph Mathunjwa pointed out that the wage agreement had been concluded without a strike. “Amcu has been labelled as an irresponsible union that is not sensitive to the interests of the country. Surely, the president will give a round of applause to the union and companies for concluding the wage agreement without a strike,” Mathunjwa remarked. Sibanye-Stillwater CE Neal Froneman said the wage agreement had taken into account the longer-term sustainability of its operations and that it was encouraging that the negotiations had been conducted in a constructive manner without any disruption. Amplats CE Chris Griffith commented as follows: “We believe this agreement will ensure the business can remain sustainable through the typical PGM price cycles, while our employees will benefit from meaningful pay and other increases.” Implats group executive for people, Lee-Ann Samuel, said the wage deal was both fair and sustainable and that it took into account the inflationary pressures of employees. “The wage negotiation process, while undoubtedly robust, was conducted in a respectful and amicable manner, and is a testament to how our relationship with Amcu has developed,” said Samuel. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Dineo Faku at Business Report
Families of 10 Marikana victims killed prior to 16 August 2012 recall the deaths of their loved ones Independent News reports that family members the ten people who were killed prior to the 16 August 2012 shootings at Marikana near Rustenburg painted a grisly picture on Sunday of how they died, lamenting that they had been forgotten. "People were brutally killed, the security guards, the body parts were removed. They were torched inside the cars," Lizzy Monene, the younger sister of Warrant Officer Hendrik Tsietsi Monene told a National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) rally in Marikana. Monene and his colleague Warrant Officer Sello Ronnie Lepaauku were killed on 13 August 2012 at a railway line in Marikana by striking mineworkers while they were escorting them to the infamous Marikana koppie during the violent wildcat strike at Lonmin's platinum mining operations. Lonmin security guards Hassan Fundi and Frans Matlhomola Mabelane were burnt to death in their car near the Wonderkop Stadium. On 16 August 2012, 34 people, mostly mineworkers, were killed when police opened fire on the strikers. The two police officers and two Lonmin security guards were among the ten people killed in the preceding week. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Molaole Montsho at Independent News
R100m of workers’ money missing from Popcru investment arm SowetanLive reports that a staggering R100m meant to benefit members of the police and other public safety workers has disappeared from Popcru Group of Companies (PGC), the investment arm of the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru). A letter written by auditors, SNG Grant Thornton, indicates that a company called PGC Management Services (PGCMS) received referral fees that were supposed to be paid back to Popcru when new members took up investment products from companies owned by the union. "Upon inspection of the bank statement of Workers Life Direct, it was identified that referral fees, amounting to approximately R100m, were paid over to PGCMS as opposed to Popcru or PGC. We cannot make a determination as to whether the above mentioned fees were paid across from PGCMS to Popcru and PGC, as PGCMS is unaudited," states the letter sent by the auditors to Workers Life Direct, one of the companies owned by the union. Workers Life Direct is a broker selling insurance products underwritten by Workers Life Assurance and Workers Life Insurance, all under the PGC. SNG Grant Thornton spokesperson Sihle Cengimbo reported that their relationship with PGC ended in October. "As a result of the pervasive nature of the impact of these findings, our audit risk has increased to a level which we cannot mitigate for us to continue being external auditors of PGC," SNG Grant Thornton said in its departure letter. City Press reported a week ago on the suspension of PGC CEO Reuben Mdletshe for misconduct. Mdletshe has since been fired as CEO. On Thursday, things turned worse for Mdletshe when the Hawks announced they had secured a warrant of arrest for him and another official, Robert Sherriff. A Hawks spokesperson said the two were wanted in connection with an alleged plot to kidnap and murder senior leaders and members in the union. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Penwell Dlamini at SowetanLive
Nervousness as ArcelorMittal SA reviews its Newcastle operations Sunday Independent reports that ArcelorMittal SA (Amsa) has trained its eyes on its Newcastle operations in KwaZulu-Natal to improve the group’s structural cost position and service offering. The steelmaker last week confirmed that the second phase of its strategic asset footprint review would focus on Newcastle, where it employs nearly 2,000 workers. The review of the operation comes just days after Amsa said it would wind down its Saldanha plant in the Western Cape in a process that could see 900 jobs culled. Amsa chief executive Kobus Verster painted a bleak picture because the global steel industry was experiencing its most challenging time since the global financial crisis. “Locally, the situation is exacerbated by continued weak economic growth, especially in steel and steel-consuming sectors, with apparent steel consumption at a 10-year low,” he indicated. Willie Venter, deputy general secretary for the metal and engineering industry at Solidarity, said the union was aware that company was facing major challenges in Saldanha with high input costs, a declining export market and the government’s economic policies. “But such a drastic step gives rise to major concerns,” he said, adding that the union was concerned about the possibility of further cuts at Newcastle. “We don’t know what the future holds for Newcastle after the strategic review,” he indicated. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tawanda Karombo on page 18 of The Sunday Independent of 17 November 2019 Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Netcare expects SA medical scheme participation to continue stagnating BusinessLive reports that private hospital operator Netcare said on Monday it expected muted patient day growth for its year to end-September 2020, amid limited medical scheme membership growth and rising numbers of beneficiaries covered by restricted hospital network options. The company expects patient day growth for 2020 of 0.8% to 1.2%, with its first half to be negatively affected by 2019 hospital network arrangements. According to Netcare, the underlying demand for health care in SA remains intact, due to an ageing population and disease burden, though the group does not see an improvement in the SA health care landscape due to SA’s weak economic outlook. In its year to end-September 2019, the company experienced a 3.7% increase in patient days, with revenue from continuing operations rising 4.2% to R21.59bn. Profit fell 47.8% to R2.478bn, having been affected by Netcare’s exit from UK operations in the prior comparative period. Read the original of the above report by Karl Gernetzky at BusinessLive
‘I cannot work for an evil and heartless person’, says TV actress Enhle Mbali’s former domestic worker City Press reports that TV actress Enhle Mbali Mlotshwa’s former domestic worker Mpho Koetsi has described her as an “evil and heartless boss” who was hard to work for. Koetsi, who had been working for the actress and her husband Nkosinathi “Black Coffee” Maphumulo since January last year, claims that Mlotshwa fired her last Friday after accusing her of gossiping about her to Black Coffee and his mother – and replaced her with another worker on the spot. According to Koetsi, who lives in Pimville, Soweto, the accusations were sparked by her being on speaking terms with Mlotshwa’s mother-in-law and the popular deejay. In July, it was reported that the power couple were heading for a divorce and last week Maphumulo’s estranged wife confirmed the divorce rumours with a long post on her Instagram account. Now Koetsi is dragging Mlotshwa to the CCMA and is demanding R100,000 for unfair dismissal. Dumisani Mavundla, the CCMA’s head of external communication, said the commission could not comment on the matter. Koetsi advised that she went to file an unfair dismissal case at the CCMA on Tuesday. “I was fired in the morning in front of an agent and the new worker. Unfortunately, I cannot work for a heartless person. Mbali’s coldness towards us was evident when she couldn’t greet us in the mornings. For that embarrassment and being fired for no reason, I am demanding that she pays me R100,000. This money will take care of me while I search for a new job,” Koetsi said. Mlotshwa refused to comment before slamming the phone down. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Philani Mzila at City Press
Popcru vows to block return of former KZN prisons head Mnikelwa Nxele Sunday Times reports that the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) says it will approach the courts to seek an interdict if a problematic former prisons boss in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) is reinstated. Rumours are rife in the province that Mnikelwa Nxele, who was fired in August, is on the verge of making a comeback. The former regional commissioner of correctional services is at the centre of a report compiled by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), which probed the awarding of contracts for the supply of food, toiletries and other services for prison inmates in the province. The report apparently details how the contracting for goods and services on behalf of the department was manipulated to favour suppliers with low scores during the procurement process. The SIU recommended that Nxele and others involved be charged with misconduct. Nxele was also named by whistleblower Angelo Agrizzi at the Zondo inquiry into state capture as having accepted monthly payments of R50,000 from African Global Operations (formerly Bosasa). He spent most of 2019 on suspension and was dismissed in August following an internal disciplinary hearing into counts of misconduct unrelated to the bribery allegations. But insiders in the department said he has often boasted about how his “connections” in the ANC in KZN would fight for him to be reinstated. Popcru spokesperson Richard Mamabolo said the union had been tipped off that the department was planning to reinstate Nxele, and would oppose this move at all costs. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Caiphus Kgosana on page 4 of The Sunday Times of 17 November 2019
Fears of rail chaos after 'abrupt' termination by Prasa of private security contracts Cape Times reports that there are growing fears of unprecedented chaos within the rail system following the “abrupt” termination of the contracts of 20 private security company by the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa). The United National Transport Union (Untu) said following the terminations at the end of October, vandalism of infrastructure has hit a crisis level. According to Untu, police, who were expected to be placed at strategic places as interim relief, were nowhere to be seen. The union accused Prasa of failing to keep its promise to protect commuters, employees and assets. General secretary Steve Harris claimed the result was “massive damage to the infrastructure and yet another devastating blow to Prasa employees who have to sit back and look at how their jobs are being placed at risk.” Attorney Mark Hess, who represents three of the security companies who are challenging Prasa’s decision to terminate their contacts, said his clients foresaw “chaos in the upcoming months”. The companies filed an urgent application in the Western Cape High Court on Friday, seeking an order declaring that they should continue to render their services to Prasa for November. According to Hess, since 1 November no other security companies have been seen to take over security duties on the southern, northern and central lines, except for the SAPS Rail Unit. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Okuhle Hlati at Cape Times Vandalism over weekend causes temporary suspension of train service between Bellville and Strand Cape Times reports that Metrorail said on Monday that vandals had caused extensive damage to infrastructure at several places in Cape Town at the weekend. This led to the temporary suspension of the Northern corridor service. "The extent of damage to essential infrastructure (including Metrorail’s fibre network) at Kuils River and Somerset West impacts signalling and necessitates the temporary suspension of train service between Bellville and Strand. A limited Muldersvlei train shuttle operates between Eerste River – Muldersvlei. Commuters are advised to make alternative arrangements between Bellville – Strand," Metrorail advised. There has also been a temporary suspension of the Chris Hani/Kapteinsklip train service on the Central line after extensive damage suffered on Sunday. However, the following services were not affected by vandalism and will operate as usual, namely Bishop Lavis; Worcester/Wellington trains via Kraaifontein; Monte Vista; Malmesbury; South; and Cape Flats. Metrorail indicated that updates on repairs and reinstatement of suspended services would follow. Meanwhile, a man was electrocuted at Netreg train station on Sunday while trying to steal overhead cables. He was seriously burnt and later succumbed to his injuries. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Cape Times
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