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, 7 May 2021.
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Emergency services could be withdrawn due to attacks on EMS staff in Gauteng News24 reports that unending violent attacks on Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel could leave communities in Gauteng without essential emergency services. Personnel have been robbed, assaulted or shot at in the line of duty. The most recent incident took place on Friday. Two officials survived an attack when they came under fire while responding to an incident in which a person had been shot and wounded in the Dukathole informal settlement, Germiston. Gauteng Health MEC Dr Nomathemba Mokgethi reported that while attending to the wounded person, shots were fired at the paramedics. "This resulted in one crew member being hit by a bullet and rushed to hospital. The attack on EMS slowed down the emergency response to the wounded resident who, unfortunately, died on the way to the hospital. Unless communities work together with law enforcement agencies to put an end to the attacks on EMS personnel, and the vandalism of their equipment, people needing emergency medical care might find themselves without assistance as workers will be reluctant to respond to calls,” Mokgethi warned. Earlier this month, a female EMS crew member was attacked at gunpoint while on duty. In another separate incident, a shift leader and her crew were attacked by residents in Magaliesburg while responding to a distress call. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ntwaagae Seleka at News24 Escalating crimes against doctors and medical staff by criminals posing as patients 'a national crisis' TimesLIVE reports that doctors in private practice are under siege by criminals who pose as patients and clear out their bank accounts, steal their devices and take medication, including antiretrovirals and cough syrup. In the most recent incident, former special adviser to the national health department and general practitioner Dr Esthras Tlou Moloko was attacked at his Germiston practice on the East Rand on Tuesday. Moloko, 62, was severely beaten by two men who entered the practice, with one having posed as a patient. The SA Medical Association (Sama) last week condemned escalating crimes against doctors, saying it had received reports of more than 30 robberies at private practices in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape and Free State since mid-2020. Dr Prudence Buthelezi of the National Health Care Professional Association described the situation “as a national crisis”. She elaborated: “It's not only doctors who are being affected by crime, paramedics are also being targeted. We are getting reports of paramedics being robbed when they collect patients.” According to Buthelezi, the Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated crimes against healthcare professionals in the past year because of unemployment and rising poverty levels. Dr Norman Mabasa, a general practitioner in Kagiso, Krugersdorp, and a former Limpopo health MEC, was also a victim of a criminal attack at his practice. He said: “Doctors are completely under siege and are seen to be soft targets.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Suthentira Govender at TimesLIVE
Talks under way on Sunday between PSA and government to avert potential strike by civil servants EWN reports that talks aimed at averting a potential strike that could cripple public services took place on Sunday in Tshwane. This was a last-ditch attempt by the Public Servants Association (PSA) and government to find each after the conciliation process deadlocked. Unions are demanding a 7% wage increase, while government is offering workers a 0% hike. The PSA and government have for weeks been trying to resolve their differences over salaries, with the union fighting government’s decision to freeze salary hikes for three years. Over the weekend, the two parties expressed optimism that Sunday’s talks would end with a positive deal. The PSA’s Ruben Maleka said: “Today (Sunday), we want to give the employer an opportunity to try revise its offer and we are open for negotiations.” Earlier, government said the same, adding that it was possible that the pending strike would be averted. Should the parties deadlock again, the union has said it would start the process of issuing a strike notice, with more than 200,000 public sector employees expected to down tools. Read the original of the report in the above regard by Edwin Ntshidi at EWN. Read too, Wage deal deadlock, on page 1 of Sunday Insider of Sunday Independent of 9 May 2021
Minerals Council warns that protest action across SA is damaging prospects for further investment, exploration Mining Weekly reports that the Minerals Council SA (MCSA) has condemned the “violence and thuggery” being experienced at various operations and in various communities across SA. The organisation, previously called the Chamber of Mines, called on authorities – especially the SA Police Service – to “act swiftly and impartially” to ensure the safety of communities, employees and private property. It referred to recent events, including the death of a motorist caught up in protests in Mpumalanga in February, and the violent and damaging protests around Prieska, in the Northern Cape. “In almost all cases the protests are led by a small group of individuals who are able to organise and intimidate with impunity. Very often, they are equipped with weapons,” the council lamented in a statement on Friday. The council elaborated that, while some protests appeared to stem from a lack of municipal service delivery, there was worrying evidence of a culture of corrupt “tenderpreneurs” having been allowed to disrupt legitimate operations, while seeking to subvert legitimate procurement practices. It reiterated that these events “are at odds with the attempts by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy and the industry to attract exploration and development investment into the country and the region”. The MCSA expressed its support for and solidarity with its member Orion Minerals, which has taken a firm public stance against corruption and illegitimate demands from failed suppliers at its Prieska copper and zinc mine in the Northern Cape. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Mining Weekly Other general posting(s) relating to mining
Covid pandemic killed a decade of employment growth in SA Mail & Guardian reports that one in every two jobs lost as a result of Covid-19’s economic onslaught was once held by an informal worker. This was revealed by research that analysed the effect of the pandemic on SA’s labour market as part of a Wits School of Governance project on the future of the country’s economy. The research also found that the lockdown decreased the probability of employment for nonessential workers not permitted to work under the stricter lockdown by 8%. And self-employed workers — most of whom are in the informal sector — experienced a nearly three times greater negative effect on employment than the overall average effect. The report noted that SA’s lockdown was always expected to lead to substantial short- and long-term economic costs. Statistics SA’s quarterly labour force survey found that in the first months of the hard lockdown, 2.2-million people lost their jobs. The Covid-19-induced jobs loss essentially erased the last decade of employment growth, the report pointed out. According to the report, job losses in the informal sector and among domestic workers together represented about half of total employment losses. These sectors accounted for just under 28% of pre-pandemic employment, showing that they were affected disproportionately. The government came under fire because, although it instituted pay protection measures for formal sector workers through the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), it did not extend them to informal sector workers. And although domestic workers were covered by the scheme, many of them initially missed out because their employers had not registered them with the UIF. The analysis also showed that most of those who lost jobs (95.2%) were not union members and that trade union memberships grew over the period, increasing from 3.95-million to 4.2-million. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sarah Smit at Mail & Guardian Other internet posting(s) in this news category
ANC reportedly looking at retrenching 50% of its staff members News24 reports that during the ANC's national executive committee (NEC) virtual meeting on Sunday, its treasurer-general, Paul Mashatile, apparently said the party was mulling cutting its staff by 50%. Sources verified that Mashatile told the meeting the party would have to cut staff members in order to ‘right-size’ itself. "Officials have agreed that we've probably had to cut our staff by 50%. But those reports will come to the NEC. A lot of work is being undertaken. Comrade Febe (the party's general manager, Febe Potgieter) is leading the process of restructuring and right-sizing," Mashatile advised. According to a Sunday Times report and in part payment for the ANC’s ballooning tax bill, the SA Revenue Service (SARS) recently took R17 million meant for the governing party. The report alleged the party owed SARS millions, dating back to when Jacob Zuma was party president and Zweli Mkhize was the treasurer-general. Meantime, in a letter dated 30 April, which was sent five days after payday, Potgieter warned staff members that the financial problems the organisation was facing would continue for the next three to six months. In the letter, she warned employees that they should expect late payments. The letter read: “Due to financial difficulties, this situation of uncertainties with regards to the exact date of the payment of salaries is likely to continue for the coming three to six months.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Pule Letshwiti-Jones at News24. Read too, ANC to take legal action after audio clips from special NEC meeting leaked, at Independent Media
Solidarity releases report detailing SA’s relationship with Cuba On Friday, trade union Solidarity released a report on the SA’s government’s past with its Cuban counterparts. This came after Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation Minister, Lindiwe Sisulu welcomed the arrival in April of 24 Cuban engineers to the country to address SA’s water crisis. “It is time that South Africa’s fascination with Cuba and the communist ideology comes to an end. The latest deployment of Cuban engineers is outrageous, especially given that some of South Africa’s own engineers are unemployed, or have the capacity to help,” said Theuns du Buisson, economics researcher at the Solidarity Research Institute (SRI). Noting that in a radio interview Minister Sisulu had mentioned that applications had indeed been received for the positions currently being filled by Cubans, but that the applicants had been white, Du Buisson pointed out that, by implication, “the minister is prepared to appoint mentors at great cost rather than to use local talent to solve actual water problems. Consequently, black people can be left without water as long as, according to the minister, white people are not appointed in jobs.” Solidarity’s report also reveals other occasions where Cuban employees had been deployed, ostensibly to improve existing South African services. Read Solidarity’s press statement on the above and access the full report at Solidarity News
Northriding teacher suspended for alleged racial slurs EWN reports that Gauteng Education Department MEC Panyaza Lesufi has welcomed the immediate suspension of a teacher at the Northriding Secondary School who has been accused of racism. The white teacher was suspended after a video of an altercation with a black pupil emerged. The altercation took place on school grounds. The department said the incident involved a grade eight pupil who was apparently sprayed with sanitiser. The Northriding teacher apparently hurled racial slurs at pupils – including using the K-word. “Learners were being reprimanded by her and she started pelting insults and we were informed that she called them baboons,” said a Gauteng Education Department spokesperson. Lesufi visited the school and expressed disappointment at the alleged conduct of the teacher. Read the original of the report in the above regard by Edwin Ntshidi at EWN. See too, Teacher suspended after alleged racial slur, on page 5 of Saturday Citizen of 8 May 2021
Solidarity welcomes outcome of SAPS disciplinary hearing into k-word liars Trade union Solidarity has welcomed the outcome of the internal disciplinary hearing of the two members of the SA Police Service (SAPS) who had falsely accused Lieutenant-Colonel Annemarie Oosthuizen of calling them the k-word. The hearing followed after the two were convicted of perjury, defeating the ends of justice, assault and crimen injuria in 2020, resulting in suspended prison sentences. “Although we are delighted with the verdict, we are still following events within the SAPS regarding warrant officers Mphana and Tikoe. After the hearing, the provincial commissioner of the SAPS has yet to ratify the verdict that will make the dismissal valid. It is important that this process does take place. It is outrageous that SAPS members who commit criminal offenses are allowed to continue to function as working SAPS members,” said Solidarity’s Renate Barnard. According to the union, for four years the SAPS failed to take any steps against the two guilty members whose false accusations of racism had led to their criminal offences. “For the SAPS, the verdict is a step in the right direction and indicates that offenders must bear the consequences of their actions. The message now being conveyed is loud and clear: Do not make false accusations of racism, do not make false affidavits about racism, and do not turn to violence and threats in the workplace,” Barnard commented. Read Solidarity’s press statement in the above regard at Solidarity News
Bank account of senior coal procurement manager at Eskom frozen over bribery claims BusinessLive reports that the Special Tribunal on Friday froze the bank accounts of a senior Eskom manager over millions in alleged kickbacks. The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) had launched civil proceedings against Petrus Mazibuko, a senior manager in the coal procurement division, after a whistle-blower alerted them to R11m worth of alleged kickbacks paid to him. SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said an interim order to freeze the account had been granted, pending arguments for a final forfeiture. “The SIU approached the Special Tribunal to freeze the funds after allegations were received from a whistle-blower that Petrus Mazibuko was receiving unauthorised gratification from two Eskom suppliers, namely Commodity Logistix Managers Africa and Thembathlo Pty Ltd, through a bank account held by Thephunokhetja Projects,” Kganyago said. He went on to indicate: “The SIU investigated the allegations. As part of the investigation, the SIU obtained the bank statements as well as the account opening documents from First National Bank. The documents show that Mazibuko and Shadrack Mazibuko, who is also cited in the court application, are the signatories to the bank account. The bank statements show that the only source of income into this account is from the two Eskom suppliers.” The order prohibited both Petrus Mazibuko and Shadrack Mazibuko from dealing with the funds held in the bank account. Eskom has placed Petrus Mazibuko on preliminary suspension, citing alleged corruption, and he will remain on suspension until a disciplinary hearing is held. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Graeme Hosken And Sabelo Skiti at BusinessLive. Read too, Eskom places senior coal procurement manager on suspension, at Mining Weekly Former Transnet executive’s earnings do not add up, tribunal hears TimesLIVE reports that according to a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) senior forensic accountant, money deposited into the bank accounts of former Transnet Capital Projects executive Herbert Msagala were more than what he was said to have earned from his employment and other businesses. Ismail Varachia told the Special Tribunal on Thursday that between 2009 and 2016, significant amounts of money went into and out of Msagala's bank accounts. He said some of the amounts paid to Msagala could not be accounted for. The SIU alleges that some of the cash in Msagala's bank accounts were the benefits of unlawful activities. It believes that Msagala received the assets from IGS Consulting Engineers, a company given questionable tenders from Transnet Capital Projects when Msagala was executive. The deposit for Herbert Msagala's Steyn City plot was paid for by IGS boss, the tribunal heard. In his affidavit disputing the SIU's claims, Msagala said that in 2016 he earned several payments from a number of businesses, apart from his employment. However, Varachia said some of the income he claimed to have made did not reflect on his bank statements. Varachia advised that he checked deposits made into Msagala's Nedbank account from 2010. The trial into the alleged financial irregularities involving Msagala, which got under way in the Special Tribunal on Monday last week, continues this week. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ernest Mabuza at TimesLIVE Limpopo municipal manager’s R120m VBS court case postponed SowetanLive reports that the VBS Mutual Bank case involving a Collins Chabane municipal manager, Tsakani Ngobeni, has been postponed to 29 July for further investigations. Ngobeni appeared briefly before the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Thursday. She was previously released on R50,000 bail after being charged with corruption and the contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA). She is accused of having deposited R120m of the municipality's funds, in violation of the MFMA and the Collins Chabane municipal policy, which dictate that municipal deposits be restricted to banks that are registered in terms of the Banks Act, which VBS was not. Read the original of the report in the above regard by Kgaugelo Masweneng at SowetanLive
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