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 roundup of weekend news, see
summaries of our selection of South African
labour-related stories that appeared since
Friday, 13 November 2020.
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Cosatu threatens to withdraw election support for ANC if public sector wage increase isn’t implemented BL Premium reports that labour federation Cosatu has given its ally the ANC an ultimatum to implement a wage increase agreement for public servants or lose votes in next year’s municipal elections. The federation, which has a membership of more than 1.8-million, has been campaigning for the ANC during national and local elections since the dawn of democracy in 1994. Relations between the governing party and Cosatu, both part of the ANC-led tripartite alliance, have been strained after the government reneged on a three-year public sector wage agreement signed with labour, citing a lack of funds. Implementing the last leg of the 2018 wage deal for 1.3-million public servants would cost R37.8bn, and the government says it doesn’t have the money for it. Cosatu affiliates have since taken the government to court over the matter. In her closing address at the Cosatu national bargaining conference on Friday, Cosatu president Zingiswa Losi said workers were tired of broken promises, corruption, retrenchments and the government’s attacks on collective bargaining. “If the ANC wants the votes of workers then it must respect workers and listen to them. It must engage unions in good faith and stop taking them for granted. [The] government must honour the 2020 wage agreement and engage unions on the next three-year wage agreement,” Losi warned. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinessLive (paywall access only)
Problem with SA's latest unemployment data is that only 0.1% of households were surveyed Business Insider SA writes that last week Statistics SA (Stats SA) released a set of horrific unemployment numbers for the third quarter, reporting that 6.5 million people were jobless and that the unemployment rate had jumped to a record 30.8%. Under the expanded definition of unemployment, the jobless rate reached 43.1%. But the numbers came with big caveats. Only 18,021 households were surveyed to determine the employment status for the total adult population. Given that there are between 17 million to 20 million households in the country, less than 0.11% of SA’s households were contacted to confirm their employment situation. Usually, Stats SA contacts some 30,000 households through in-person interviews, but it suspended face-to-face data collection in March due to the pandemic and switched to “computer-assisted telephone interviewing”. “Given the change in the survey mode of collection and the fact that Q3: 2020 estimates are not based on a full sample, comparisons with previous quarters should be made with caution,” Stats SA warned. As a result, the unemployment data for the past two quarters were not reliable enough to take seriously, said Old Mutual’s Johann Els. Only after collection methods have normalised for some months, would the labour data start to be reliable enough to show the real impact of the pandemic on the labour market, which might only be in a year’s time, Els indicated. But whether or not the data is accurate to the percentage point, the larger crisis is clear that SA has a massive unemployment problem. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Helena Wasserman at Business Insider SA. Read too, Lockdown relaxation ‘far too late’ to save jobs, on page 4 of The Citizen of 13 November 2020. And also, Latest unemployment statistics paint grim picture, on page 15 of Sunday Independent Business Report of 15 November 2020 Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Numsa to protest on Monday at National Treasury to thwart approval of contracts of security companies Independent News reports that the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) and other unions have accused certain security companies of illegally withholding the salary increases of its members and have called on the Treasury not to approve contracts in respect of those companies. Apparently, the companies concerned depend heavily on government contracts and it is the Treasury which approves such contracts. On Monday, the union is set to stage a protest at Treasury’s offices in Pretoria alongside other unions organising in the security sector where they will tender a memorandum and call for Mafoko Security and other employers not to have their contracts approved. Numsa’s spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola said the National Bargaining Council for the Private Security Sector had concluded a collective agreement in November last year – which included a 7% increment and other benefits including medical aid cover - before it was promulgated by Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi in February this year. She reported that Mafoko, together with 35 other employers, had launched a labour court application to invalidate the collective agreement. In her view, workers were being denied their 7% increase “because of the actions of these brutal, selfish employers.” Other unions expected to join the march to Treasury include the SA Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) and the Democratised Transport Logistics and Allied Workers Union (Detawu). Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Siviwe Feketha at Independent News SABC staff declare ‘Black Monday’ as a day of silent protest against new structure and appeal for public’s support ANA reports that disgruntled employees of the SA Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), dubbed the ‘SABC Section 192 Movement’, have planned a silent protest against the state broadcaster’s announcement that it would be retrenching 400 employees. The group said in a media statement: “We declare Monday, 16th November 2020 to be ‘Black Monday’ and a day of action against the new structure. We ask all South Africans to pray for us and to hold us in their thoughts and meditations. We invite you to participate in our silent protest in any way possible via social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or join us outside the SABC at 1pm or at any of the SABC offices around the country on Monday.” Despite heightening criticism, the broadcaster last week announced that retrenchment notices had been issued to workers. It had also indicated earlier this month that the employees to be retrenched would be offered a severance package of one week for each completed year of service. The retrenchment of around 400 employees comes after the SABC initially announced in June the possibility of 600 employees facing retrenchment. On Sunday, the SABC Section 192 Movement claimed the new structure on the table had been imposed by management through a “procedurally unfair and unjust process”. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Independent News. Read too, SABC presses ahead with hundreds of retrenchments, at EWN. And also, Years of fat make SABC suffer now, as 400 employees face the chop, on page 4 of Sunday Times of 15 November 2020
Ten alleged ‘zama zamas’ arrested last week in Rustenburg in two separate operations News24 reports that in two separate operations last week, ten ‘zama zamas’ were arrested in Rustenburg for illegal mining. On Thursday, two suspects - aged 30 and 38 - were arrested in a joint operation by members of Serious Organised Crime Investigation and the Public Order Policing unit, along with the Department of Mineral Resources. "The suspects were allegedly found mining illegally using excavators. They however had no environmental authorisation issued by the Department of Mineral Resources," said a Hawks spokesperson. In a separate incident in Rustenburg earlier in the week, eight people - aged between 33 and 47 - were arrested on Tuesday when they were found mining illegally with excavators and trucks. All the suspects were scheduled to appear in the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court on 14 November 2020. Read the original of the above report by Nicole McCain at News24 Other general posting(s) relating to mining
Cost of SAA bailout has risen from R10.5bn to R14bn, Pravin Gordhan tells MPs BL Premium reports that Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) Minister Pravin Gordhan told MPs last week that the restructuring costs for SA Airways (SAA) amounted to R14bn and not the R10.5bn that had previously been cited by business rescue practitioners (BRPs). Asked by Democratic Alliance (DA) MP Natasha Mazzone whether the R10.5bn that Gordhan had secured from the Treasury would cover SAA’s restructuring costs in full, Gordhan replied: “The total cost of restructuring is R14bn, of which R10.5bn is required currently.” Both the BRPs and the DPE had previously provided a breakdown of the costs amounting to R10.5bn. The week before last, the BRPs shifted the line items within the R10.5bn around at the behest of the department, but did not change the total sum. Moreover, Gordhan said at that time that the R10.5bn was the very last amount that the government would put into SAA and that prospective partners had been advised of that. Read the original of the report in the above regard by Carol Paton at BusinessLive (paywall access only). Read too, Gordhan: Private equity partners will not take on SAA's debt or restructuring costs, at Engineering News
National police commissioner fires his suspended deputy following internal disciplinary hearing BusinessLive reports that deputy national police commissioner Lt-Gen Bonang Mgwenya, who is facing corruption and fraud charges in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court, has been fired. The police confirmed on Friday that Mgwenya had been sacked by national commissioner Gen Khehla Sithole. Mgwenya appeared in court last month after she was arrested by the Investigating Directorate on charges of corruption, fraud, theft and money laundering. The charges relate to her alleged involvement in the appointment of a handpicked service provider for the installation of emergency lights to 1,500 police vehicles in Gauteng. Mgwenya was suspended after her arrest. Police spokesperson Brig Vish Naidoo said an internal disciplinary hearing had found Mgwenya guilty and she was “summarily dismissed on Thursday”. Read the original of the report in the above regard by Graeme Hosken at BusinessLive Axed deputy national police commissioner claims to have been fired through the media TimesLIVE reports that former deputy national police commissioner Lt-Gen Bonang Mgwenya said on Friday she learnt about her sacking via media enquiries. National police commissioner Gen Khehla Sitole fired Mgwenya after she was found guilty in an internal disciplinary hearing of gross misconduct. Responding to questions from TimesLIVE, Mgwenya said: “As I have indicated, I am not yet informed of any dismissal.” Asked if she would legally challenge her firing, she said: “It would depend on the decision communicated [to her]". She declined to comment on the criminal charges she faced. Mgwenya was suspended in October after being arrested by the Investigating Directorate on a raft of criminal charges including money laundering, theft and fraud. She appeared in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court in October in relation to the alleged role she played in ensuring the appointment of a service provider to equip 1,500 police vehicles in Gauteng with emergency lights. In return, she allegedly received financial help to buy a BMW X5. Read the original of the report in the above regard by Graeme Hosken at TimesLIVE Embattled Far East Rand Hospital CEO fired after only a year into top job Independent News reports that the Gauteng Department of Health fired the embattled chief executive of the Far East Rand Hospital, Dr Zacharia Mathaba, after he was only a year into his top job. The department’s spokesperson did not divulge reasons behind the dismissal, but allegations of corruption have dogged Mathaba for some time. On Thursday, members of the National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers (Nupsaw) protested at the hospital, calling for his suspension. The union claimed that as soon as Mathaba arrived at the hospital, he further entrenched a culture of corruption and victimised whistleblowers. “In less than six months Nupsaw members have reported him to the Public Service Commission for issues such as irregular procurement practices, corrupt recruitment practices and continuous and deliberate violation of Covid-19 regulation,” the union stated. In August, it was reported that there were allegations that Mathaba had approved the tender of a company that had inflated its price by 190%. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Botho Molosankwe at Independent News
Northern Cape teacher accused of repeated rape of primary school pupil placed on preliminary suspension EWN reports that a Northern Cape teacher has been placed on preliminary suspension following alleged sexual assault. Police arrested the man last week in connection with the rape of a 13-year-old girl at a Kimberley primary school. The alleged sexual assault took place on several occasions between September and October on the school grounds. The suspect has been in custody following his arrest on Friday and is set to appear in court on Monday. The Northern Cape Education Department's Geoffrey van der Merwe said they were appalled and saddened by the claims and have since launched an independent probe into the matter. Read the original of the report in the above regard by Lizell Persens at EWN Top NPA official Knorx Molelle reportedly suspended News24 reports that the KwaZulu-Natal head of the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) and former acting AFU head Advocate Knorx Mollele, has been suspended. According to two senior sources within the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), and a third in the Department of Justice, Molelle was placed on suspension by Justice Minister Ronald Lamola last week. Apparently, the National Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Shamila Batohi, made a recommendation that Molelle be suspended, which was accepted by Lamola. The sources said the suspension stemmed from the appointment of curators in two separate cases in which arms of the state were trying to claw back funds lost due to state capture. The first case apparently related to R1 billion in fees paid to multi-national consultancy firm McKinsey & Company by Eskom. Trillion Capital Partners – a local financial advisory firm with close links to the Gupta brothers – were paid R600 million in fees as Mckinsey’s "supply development partner". The other case that allegedly triggered Molelle’s suspension was that of the tainted Estina Dairy farm scam. Molelle was appointed as acting head of the AFU during the tenure of former NDPP advocate Shaun Abrahams. He managed the asset recovery arm of the NPA when it instituted action against the Gupta family and their companies in connection with the Estina case Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jeff Wicks at News24 Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Full bench to hear Bandile Masuku's review of SIU findings against him in PPE tender scandal News24 reports that former Gauteng Health MEC Bandile Masuku's challenge of the Special Investigating Unit's (SIU’s) findings against him will be heard in the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria in January 2021. Masuku's lawyer - Mojalefa Motalane - said in a statement on Friday that the review application brought by his client would be heard by a full bench of judges. This comes after the preliminary SIU report placed Masuku at the centre of processes in the Gauteng health department that saw the husband of presidency spokesperson, Khusela Diko, receiving a R125 million tender to supply personal protective equipment (PPE). Premier David Makhura fired Masuku based on the SIU’s preliminary report, which found that "he failed to execute his function in compliance with Constitution and the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA)". Masuku and Diko were also expected to appear before the ANC Gauteng's disciplinary committee. Motalane, however, reported that his client had yet to receive a charge sheet from the ANC's provincial disciplinary committee more than 20 days after his temporary suspension was effected. Masuku was therefore considering his legal options to protect his membership rights in line with the expectations of the ANC constitution which required that a member be afforded the opportunity to comment on the charges before being placed on suspension. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Canny Maphanga at News24 Other internet posting(s) in this news category
State forked out R8.4m on accommodation and other expenses for David Mabuza’s 28 bodyguards during hard lockdown BusinessLive reports the government spent R8.39m of taxpayers' money to accommodate Deputy President David Mabuza's security personnel in hotels and lodges in just the first six months of the country's Covid-19 lockdown. The amount included meals, transport and “incidental costs” for Mabuza's 28 police VIP protection officers, who rotated weekly. In a written parliamentary reply, police minister Bheki Cele said the accommodation expenses came from the budget of the Presidential Protection Service. The breakdown of costs between 1 April and 30 September indicated the following: R6,173,743 was spent on accommodating Mabuza's bodyguards; R9,818 on their transport; R883,744 on “incidental” costs; and R1,325,733 was spent on their meals in four establishments. Police were among the essential services workers who were allowed to work and move around during the hard lockdown. Democratic Alliance (DA) MP Manny de Freitas described the amounts spent on Mabuza's security as “ridiculous”. He went on to comment: “It's crazy to spend that for one person ... let's rather redirect that money to where we really need it. Why can't they have one or two protectors each?” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Andisiwe Makinana at BusinessLive
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