In our early morning roundup, see summaries
of our selection of recent South African labour-
labour-related reports.
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Eskom management triggers wage dispute which will go to CCMA for mediation BL Premium reports that Eskom management has declared a dispute with unions over pay increases, setting up the talks for an independent meditation process at the CCMA, a date for which has not yet been set. If no agreement is reached after conciliation, the commissioner will issue a certificate of non-resolution and the dispute may be referred to the labour court or to the CCMA for arbitration, where the commissioner will make a final and binding decision. The power utility provides an essential service and essential service workers are prohibited by law from striking. Eskom spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha said on Wednesday the company had declared a dispute as it had not been able to reach an agreement with the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) and Solidarity, during round three of wage talks in the central bargaining forum. In May, the utility had indicated that its 5% wage increase offer — conditional on unions agreeing to a proposed downward variation of worker benefits including overtime pay, travel allowances and employee transfer costs — was final. Mantshantsha said the unions had rejected the conditions, “and instead placed demands for basic salary increases of 10%, 12% and 9.5%”, which were in addition to other demands. The NUM’s Khangela Baloyi said they viewed the Eskom dispute as a “declaration of war”. Solidarity’s Helgard Cronje said the union’s view was that “the affordability question is not as clear cut as Eskom is making it out to be”. He said the money Eskom spent on independent power producers and had lost to corruption “dwarfs the amount the employees bargaining unit are demanding”. Numsa’s Vuyo Bikitsha said Eskom’s conduct “flies against the spirit and letter of our recognition agreement ... We can say the road ahead will be bumpy.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinessLive (paywall access only). Read too, Wage dispute at Eskom to go to mediator, at Mining Weekly. And also, Eskom in loongeskil met vakbonde, at Maroela Media Racism and other claims against Eskom’s CEO André de Ruyter dismissed by independent inquiry BL Premium reports that an independent inquiry into allegations of racism and abuse of power by Eskom CEO André de Ruyter has found no evidence that he conducted himself in a manner that amounted to racism or that breached governance. The inquiry, headed by advocate Ishmael Semenya, was established by the Eskom board in April after a senior employee wrote to the board chair and to President Cyril Ramaphosa to complain about De Ruyter’s conduct. Solly Tshitangano, at the time Eskom’s head of procurement, alleged that De Ruyter treated white-owned companies differently from black-owned ones, implying that he was racist. He also claimed that De Ruyter had made irregular appointments, breached Eskom’s governance procedures, undermined the board and interfered in procurement in a way that constituted an abuse of power. Tshitangano also wrote to public enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan, the auditor-general’s office and parliament’s standing committee on public accounts. Semenya’s report states: “Having heard all the evidence and considered all the documents, I could find no substantiation for the allegation that the GCE [group chief executive] has conducted himself in any manner that would amount to racist practice.” Semenya said he could also find substantiation for neither poor governance on the part of De Ruyter or Eskom, nor for the allegation that the recruitment processes were irregular. The claim that the procurement processes were unlawful was also without merit, he stated. Semenya was scathing of Tshitangano’s conduct, describing his allegations as “wild”, “unsubstantiated”, “highly irresponsible” and “without merit”. Tshitangano was dismissed from Eskom last week after being found guilty of misconduct in a disciplinary process. He had been on the verge of suspension when he wrote to Ramaphosa, Gordhan and others. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Carol Paton at BusinessLive (paywall access only) Case against former Eskom executives and contractors over R745m fraud, corruption and money laundering at Kusile postponed TimesLIVE reports that the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crime Court on Tuesday postponed the R745m fraud, corruption and money laundering case against former Eskom contracts manager France Hlakudi and three others until 20 July. The case, related to alleged corruption at Eskom’s Kusile power station, was postponed to allow Hlakudi to consult with his new attorney after his previous attorney withdrew. The other accused are former Eskom group executive for group capital division Abram Masango, businessman Maphoko Kgomoeswana and CEO of Tubular Construction Antonio Trindade. The charges relate to their roles in the alleged defrauding of Eskom at the Mpumalanga power station between 2014 and 2017. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Investigating Directorate is in the process of extraditing the fifth accused, Michael Lomas, a former Tubular Holdings executive adviser who is living in the UK. Masango and Hlakudi are accused of receiving undue gratification of R30m each from the contractors, Trindade and Lomas. Kgomoeswana and his company, Babinatlou Business Services CC, are accused of facilitating the alleged bribes on behalf of the Eskom Kusile contractors to the state-owned power utility’s senior bosses. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ernest Mabuza at TimesLIVE
Two security guards die of smoke inhalation at Pretoria’s Groenkloof Nature Reserve News24 reports that two security guards were found dead in the Groenkloof Nature Reserve, Pretoria, on Wednesday morning. According to a statement by the City of Tshwane, both men, employed by a private security company that conducts security services at the reserve, were discovered in a storage shed in the early morning by a supervisor. City spokesperson Lindela Mashigo indicated that the guards were on nightshift, and the supervisor was in the process of posting the dayshift team when he became aware of the two missing guards. Mashigo added that no foul play was suspected and it was believed both men died in their sleep due to smoke inhalation caused by a fire they had made in a drum to warm themselves in the storage shed. A case has been reported to the SA Police Service and the Tshwane Metro Police Department for a proper investigation to be conducted. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Alex Mitchley at News24 Investigation launched after uniformed female cop found dead on railway tracks in Upington News24 reports that Northern Cape police are investigating the mysterious death of a police officer in Upington. The officer's body was found, still in police uniform, early on Tuesday morning. Police spokesperson Captain Sergio Kock said: "The Rosedale SAPS are investigating an inquest after the body of a 35-year-old female was discovered this morning. At about 07:30, a passerby discovered the body of the deceased on the railway tracks in Rosedale." The police officer had been on duty the previous day at the Upington police station, Kock said, adding that it would explain why she was dressed in police uniform. The officer showed no signs of injury and an autopsy will be carried out to determine the cause of death. Police investigations are continuing. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nicole McCain at News24 Eastern Cape policeman dies after robbers opened fire on a police vehicle in Dutywa on Monday News24 reports that an Eastern Cape police officer died after being shot by robbers in Dutywa on Monday morning. Sergeant Nyameko Mbelani, 38, died in hospital on Tuesday morning. Police spokesperson Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana reported that early on Monday, SA Police Service members were patrolling on the N2 Idutywa national road when they received a call about a business robbery that was in progress. As the police officers responded and drove toward the local filling station, they were met by a hail of bullets from the attackers. Mbelani, who was one of two officers in the police vehicle, was shot in the upper body. He was rushed to a nearby hospital in a critical condition and died on Tuesday. The husband and father from Chafuthweni in Centane was stationed at the Dutywa police station's Community Service Centre. He joined the police service in 2006. Six of the eight suspects have been arrested. Two are still on the run. Eastern Cape police commissioner Lieutenant General Liziwe Ntshinga expressed shock at the murder. Read the original of the report in the above regard by Nicole McCain at News24 Calls mount to give teachers priority in the Covid-19 vaccination roll-out Cape Argus reports that with all primary school and special needs school learners to return to daily attendance and traditional timetables from 26 July, calls have mounted for teachers to be prioritised in the Covid-19 vaccination roll-out. Progressive Principals’ Association spokesperson Anthea Adriaanse noted that teachers were classified as essential workers, yet not prioritised to receive the vaccine. “We are expected to resume full capacity at schools, making us vulnerable targets with the increased numbers of not only learners but parents, and having to deal with that on a daily basis would put us at greater risk,” said Adriaanse. Educators Union of SA’s André de Bruyn demanded the immediate vaccination of the front line working teachers, who who put their lives on the line on a daily basis. Western Cape Education Department (WCED) spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said they had more than 5,900 teachers and institution and office-based staff who were over the age of 60, and had requested all of their staff’s support and assistance in communicating the registration drive to their teachers and staff members. “While there has been much speculation regarding the education sector as a priority group for vaccination, there has not been any official confirmation regarding this,” Hammond reported. Equal Education Law Centre spokesperson Tad Khosa said all school employees should be prioritised for the simple reason that they have contact with learners that come from various communities. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sisonke Mlamla at Cape Argus. Read too, Onderwysers moet voor in tou val vir inenting, at Marola Media
Jobs bloodbath leaves youth bleeding, while Cosatu says government and private sector have failed on the implementing economic recovery plan The Citizen writes that Youth Month has arrived and while many young people celebrate a significant milestone in their lives, stats have shown that more than 9.3% of university graduates are unemployed. This after SA’s unemployment rate reached a record-high of 32.6% in the first quarter of 2021. Graduating for many reflects the beginning of their lives and their independence but, in reality, it is the start of one of the glaring issues facing the youth. Statistics SA (Stats SA) on Tuesday released its Quarterly Labour Force Survey, which highlighted that people aged between 15 to 24 years and 24 to 34 years recorded the highest unemployment rates of 63.3% and 41.3% respectively. These were the highest unemployment rate since 2008 during the global financial crisis. Economist Mike Schussler commented that his biggest worry was that, as a country, SA was far behind the curve as many countries were already coming back and seeing their unemployment rates decline. Trade union federation Cosatu said the government and the private sector have failed the economy on the implementation of the economic recovery plan. “We can look forward to an economic depression and a rising unemployment rate if there is no paradigm shift away from the neoliberal macroeconomic framework. This has seen the youth unemployment rate in SA rising to 63.3% in the first quarter of 2021, from 63.2% in the fourth quarter of 2020,” said Cosatu. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Reitumetse Makwea at The Citizen Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Services sector Seta dragged to court over refusal to disclose information about R162m contract it allegedly awarded irregularly The Star reports that the Services Sector Education and Training Authority (SSeta) will be going to court to justify its refusal to disclose information pertaining to a R162-million contract it allegedly awarded irregularly. The SSeta will square off against the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) at the Johannesburg High Court next week. Outa has sought an order compelling SSeta to disclose information pertaining to the multimillion-rand tender awarded to Grayson Reed Consulting in 2017. The Sandton-based biometrics company was awarded the contract to provide trainee attendance monitoring systems and disburse stipends. This contract was cancelled in 2019, six months before it was due to end and about a year after Outa started questioning awarding regularities. SSeta executives told MPs last year the contract had been mutually terminated. But, Outa maintained that just cancelling the contract was not enough. It called for criminal charges and recovery of the allegedly misappropriated funds. Outa’s Stefanie Fick explained in court papers that they had resorted to court because the SSeta refused to disclose information it needed to prove its corruption and fraud allegations. Outa’s application was brought under the Promotion of Access to Information Act (Paia). Outa maintained that SSeta gave “unreasonable reasons” for refusing to hand it the information requested. In SSeta’s responding papers, chief executive Amanda Buzo-Gqoboka said Outa had been granted access to some of the information, while the SSeta had withheld the remaining data based on Grayson’s submission to it that the information was confidential and would expose its trade secrets. Fick has denied that the information Outa sought was confidential or commercially sensitive. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Bongani Nkosi at The Star
Bogus Gauteng doctor sentenced for issuing fake medical certificates to applicants for heavy motor vehicle driving permits News24 reports that a bogus Gauteng doctor has been sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment or a R10,000 fine for issuing fake medical certificates to heavy motor vehicle drivers seeking to apply for professional driving permits. Olusey Babatunde Ajayi was sentenced in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court after he was arrested in 2017 in an operation by the Road Traffic Management Corporation's (RTMC’s) National Traffic Anti-Corruption Unit (NTACU) together with the Health Professions Council of SA. The operation was aimed at arresting doctors who were irregularly issuing medical certificates to heavy motor vehicle drivers. "A total of 16 bogus doctors were arrested as part of that operation, and 14 of them have been convicted. Mr Ajay's co-accused, Mr Adeniyi Adeyemi Ogunsula, is expected to appear before the same court for the conclusion of his trial," said RTMC spokesperson Simon Zwane. Ajayi's sentence was suspended for five years. In a separate matter, Zwane said a traffic officer, who was also arrested in 2017 by the NTACU, was sentenced to 24 months' imprisonment, suspended for five years, for corruption. Issac Clifford Lubisi appeared in the Tzaneen Magistrate's Court for accepting a bribe. "Mr Lubisi's trial was lengthy and had many postponements, but he was eventually found guilty and sentenced. He no longer qualifies to work as a traffic law enforcement officer, and his registration will be cancelled," Zwane reported. Read the original of the report in the above regard by Lwandile Bhengu at News24 Eastern Cape doctor sentenced to community service for fake injury, RAF claim scam News24 reports that an Eastern Cape doctor has to perform 36 months of community service after he enabled crash survivors to claim R2.25 million from Road Accident Fund (RAF) by faking their injuries. According to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), Dr Tony Moodley, 66, "orchestrated" personal injury claims on 17 June 2007 on behalf of 83 survivors of a head-on bus collision in Walmer the previous day. It later transpired that some of the accident victims did not deserve the RAF payout. Hawks spokesperson Yolisa Mgolodela indicated: "The claims were lodged with local attorneys who claimed, on behalf of the passengers, from RAF. Consequently, cash to the combined value of R2.25 million was paid out for all claimants. Moodley is said to have received kickbacks from undeserving claimants. Later on, [the] Road Accident Fund uncovered some inconsistencies after looking at the order of events, and reported the matter to the Hawks' Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team in Gqeberha for a further probe, which led to his arrest on 2 July 2015.” The Gqeberha Specialised Commercial Crime Court sentenced Moodley on Tuesday for multiple charges of Road Accident Fund (RAF) fraud. As part of his sentence, he will treat patients for free for 576 hours at Livingstone Hospital in Gqeberha. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Malibongwe Dayimani at News24. Read too, Dokter gestraf oor eise by POF, at Maroela Media Former JB Marks mayor Kgotso Khumalo and two other employees in court for allegedly stealing R5m from municipality News24 reports that former JB Marks Local Municipality mayor Kgotso Khumalo and two other employees have appeared again in the Potchefstroom Magistrate's Court for allegedly defrauding the municipality. Khumalo, Cecil Henry and Mohau Shuping are facing charges of theft and fraud. They allegedly stole R5 million that was supposed to be used by the embattled municipality. North West NPA spokesperson Henry Mamothane indicated: "The North West University and the Programme for Community Development deposited about R5 million into a trust account of an attorney for the use of specific projects by the municipality. The three then allegedly, through fraudulent means, syphoned some of the funds for their benefit." The R5 million was never declared to the Auditor-General. Khumalo resigned from his position as the mayor with effect from 12 May, pending the finalisation of his criminal case. The DA in the municipality welcomed Khumalo’s resignation, but expressed a concern that he would continue collecting his salary, as he had not resigned as a councillor. The accused are expected back in court on 17 June. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ntwaagae Seleka at News24 Other internet posting(s) in this news category
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