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 early morning roundup, see summaries
of our selection of recent South African labour-
labour-related reports.
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Solidarity says Minister Patel is killing economy with regulations Solidarity expressed its concern after the latest GDP figures were released on Tuesday. According to the trade union, the growth was not sufficient to compensate for the losses caused by the lockdown measures, and Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel was hampering further growth with unnecessary regulations. “Although 4.7% growth is better than expected, we should not forget about the 7% contraction in the previous year. While many other countries have already recovered from the collapse in 2020, South Africa is still plodding along while Minister Patel is regulating the economy to death. Furthermore, capital formation also decreased by 2.7%, which shows a clear aversion to investing in South Africa,” said Theuns du Buisson, economic researcher at the Solidarity Research Institute. In his view, the solution to SA’s economic plight was less regulation. Du Buisson noted that it was worrying that certain industries were still shrinking over the long term, while only a few others were thriving. He pointed out that the more labour-intensive industries, in particular electricity, manufacturing and trade, were suffering the most, especially when account was taken of the latest unemployment rates, which were at record levels. “It is gratifying that sectors such as the financial sector are growing, but the reality is that most unemployed people are unskilled or semi-skilled, therefore they are not employed by these sectors,” said Du Buisson. “However, it is still possible take turn matters around and reform the economy. Unnecessary and obstructive regulations should be summarily scrapped,” he argued. Read Solidarity’s press statement in regard to the above at Solidarity News Cosatu urges Reserve Bank to lower repo rate to help struggling consumers, businesses EWN reports that according to Cosatu, struggling consumers and businesses need every bit of relief and it has urged the SA Reserve Bank (Sarb) to lower the repo rate by 50 basis points when its monetary policy committee next meets. The trade union federation was reacting to GDP figures released by Stats SA on Tuesday for the first quarter. Stats SA reported that the economy grew by 1.1% in the first three months of this year. It was the third successive quarter of positive growth for the economy, but Stats SA said the economy was still 2.7% smaller than it had been in the fourth quarter of 2020. Cosatu said that poor economic growth figures reflected the slow pace with which both the government and business were moving to meet their commitments under the economic recovery and reconstruction plan. It said that the ongoing problems at Eskom and continued power cuts came at a cost and that efforts to clean up corruption at the power utility, ramp up maintenance and invest in new generation capacity needed to be speeded up as a matter of urgency. Cosatu also said that the government must ratchet up its investment and infrastructure drives to create jobs. It warned that continuing job losses and the rising cost of living were a recipe for disaster. It wants commercial banks to “come to the party” in helping make credit affordable. Read the original of the report in the above regard by Gaye Davis at EWN Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Property of relative of training pilot vandalised amid tensions between SAA pilots over lock-out and strike Fin24 reports that a property owned by a relative of a training pilot in the full-time employ of SA Airways (SAA) has been vandalised in the Eastern Cape, amid tensions between members of two different pilots’ unions. The phrase "Tom u scab" was recently spray painted at the entrance of a safari lodge in the Eastern Cape, ostensibly targeted at the brother of the owner. There is as yet no proof of who did it and an investigation is continuing. The SAA Pilots' Association (Saapa) – which represents nearly 90% of the pilots at SAA – has been locked out since mid-December last year in an attempt by the airline to get Saapa to agree to cancel its long-standing regulating agreement and accept new terms of employment. While still locked out, Saapa members declared a strike earlier this year to prevent the company from lifting the lockout only for some pilots, especially training pilots, who are needed to get SAA back in the air again. A representative of the National Transport Movement (NTM) Pilots Forum, which consists mainly of pilots who left Saapa, claimed that more than one of its members "have been threatened by individuals who have shown no intention of cooperating with SAA". Saapa said the vandalism had nothing to do with it, but “we nonetheless do not condone any such actions and would condemn this or any similar behaviour if perpetrated by one of our members." In May, the Labour Court dismissed an interim application by Saapa, which sought to prevent SAA from using so-called "scab labour" in their absence. The main case is set to be heard next week. For training purposes, SAA claims it is using pilots whose lock-out conditions have been lifted or who were never been locked out in the first place. Read the full original of the informative report in the above regard by Carin Smith at Fin24
Mopani community health workers in Limpopo march to demand permanent jobs and protective gear for Covid-19 GroundUp reports that several hundred people under the banner of Limpopo Community Health Workers marched on Tuesday from Giyani police station to the Mopani District Department of Health, demanding to be made permanent employees. They also claimed the municipality owed them money because they should have received R3,500 per month for the past year, but were paid R2,200. They said they also wanted a R2,500 a month “Covid allowance” for the period of the past 12 months. A lack of personal protective equipment for Covid-19 was also a major concern. “It seems the municipality does not consider us to be frontline workers. At times when the municipality delays handing us face masks we buy or use pieces of cloth … The municipality tells us that it does not have face masks. Yet nurses have a constant supply.” said Grace Nkuna, a community health worker since 2007. Some health workers claimed they even have to buy their blue uniforms. The marchers were joined by some administrators, groundsmen and Expanded Public Work Programme workers, who accused the municipality of unfair recruitment practices and officials of nepotism. Ernest Mboweni, Mopani District Deputy Director Labour Relations, accepted the memo and said it would receive attention. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Bernard Chiguvare at GroundUp
South Africa accounted for half of global mining fatalities in 2020 Mining Weekly reports that the latest safety performance report by the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) found that SA had the highest fatality rate last year, accounting for 50% of all fatalities globally. The country recorded 22 fatalities from 422-million hours worked. The council’s 2020 safety performance report for the global mining industry, published on 8 June, found that 44 occupational fatalities occurred in 2020. This compared with 287 fatalities in 2019 and 50 fatalities in 2018. The 2019 figure included the 250 lives lost in the Brumadinho talings dam collapse, in Brazil. Last year, 12 fatalities were caused by fall-of-ground incidents, while eight were related to mobile equipment and transportation accidents. The council explained that injury from fall-of-ground incidents was the most common occupational injury in the SA mining industry, owing to the prevalence of deep, high-stress mines in the country. ICMM CEO Rohitesh Dawan commented that the industry must do better. He noted that the 44 deaths in 2020 were a stark reminder of the relentless efforts required to eliminate fatalities and achieve zero harm goals. He called for strong leadership, an embedded zero fatalities mindset and for thorough risk assessments to be undertaken. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Mining Weekly Other labour / community posting(s) relating to mining
Denel says it will defend liquidation threat from Saab Grintek Defence, if necessary BusinessLive reports that embattled state-owned arms manufacturer Denel, which is struggling to pay staff salaries, says it will defend a liquidation bid from Saab Grintek Defence if necessary, but will seek to resolve the payment dispute amicably. Saab Grintek Defence, which is majority owned by Sweden’s Saab group, has approached the High Court in Pretoria to argue that Denel is insolvent. According to media reports, Saab has made R126m in claims relating to a contract for the production of fire-control computers for vehicles. Denel said in a brief statement on Tuesday that it was engaged with Saab Grintek, and “if need be, will engage its legal advisers to defend this matter”. Denel, one of the many state-owned enterprises (SOEs) that have been embroiled in allegations of state capture, has been running at a loss for years. It has also struggled to pay salaries. The Democratic Alliance (DA) argued in late May that Denel’s decision to only pay its employees 20% of their May salaries was proof that it must be placed in business rescue as a matter of urgency. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Karl Gernetzky at BusinessLive. Read too, Denel seeking to negotiate with Saab Grintek Defence over liquidation application, at Engineering News
CNA placed in business rescue BL Premium reports that stationery and books retailer CNA, which has failed to pay its landlords and suppliers in recent months, has been placed in business rescue. The chain runs about 160 books, gift and stationery stores. While facing weak consumer demand, the retailer’s new management team has been in a battle with former CEO Benjamin Trisk, a 30% shareholder in the company, whom they allege tried to place the company in business rescue without their consent. Trisk left his role in May and was removed from the board of directors a week ago. The three main shareholders — Olinka Nell, Rob Shortt and Nazir Patel (former MTN CFO) — decided that CNA indeed had to be placed in business rescue. They had been searching for funding as they struggled to pay creditors and landlords hundreds of thousands of rand. Nell said the “directors looked at all options and decided this would be the prudent way forward”. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Katharine Child at BusinessLive (paywall access only)
UJ School of Accounting receives R11m Seta grant to improve TVET audit outcomes Engineering News reports that the University of Johannesburg (UJ) School of Accounting has been awarded an R11-million grant to invest in the improvement of audit outcomes in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges. The grant was provided by the Education, Training and Development Sector Education and Training Authority (Seta) and the Financial Services Seta. As part of the grant, the school will offer mentorship in public sector accounting, risk management, internal audit and financial controls, as well as the supply chain management to relevant TVET college finance professionals. “This grant will allow us to develop the interventions that will assist the TVET colleges in improving their financial management skills, which is expected to improve the audit outcomes subsequently. UJ will provide support to 400 TVET colleges' finance personnel. Additionally, those TVET colleges with a qualified report, disclaimer report, or an adverse audit report, will benefit from mentoring,” UJ Department of Accountancy's Professor Tankiso Moloi said. “This timely support will help us attain our mission of providing support to government and industry. We look forward to building on this partnership with the Setas,” UJ College of Business and Economics executive dean Professor Daneel van Lil added. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Engineering News Other internet posting(s) in this news category
President Ramaphosa puts health minister Zweli Mkhize on special leave over Digital Vibes contract BL Premium reports that President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Tuesday afternoon that he had placed health minister Zweli Mkhize on special leave. The minister has faced growing political pressure to step down over his alleged role in the awarding of a R150m communications contract to an obscure company called Digital Vibes, spearheaded by two of his aides. Earlier in the day, Mkhize had told reporters that he had offered to go on special leave pending the outcome of a probe into the matter by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU). In a brief statement, Ramaphosa said the period of special leave would enable the minister to attend to allegations and investigations into the contracts awarded by the Department of Health (DOH) to Digital Vibes. Tourism minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane will serve as acting health minister until further notice. Mkhize, a former presidential hopeful, has been at the forefront of SA’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. The growing political storm around the Digital Vibes contract comes as SA faces a third surge in infections and a national vaccination programme that has so far reached barely 2% of the population. Digital Vibes, headed up by Mkhize’s former personal assistant, Tahera Mather, and former secretary Naadhira Mitha, was awarded a contract by the DOH in 2019 for communications work on National Health Insurance. The contract was later extended to include work in 2020 on the coronavirus pandemic. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tamar Kahn at BusinessLive (paywall access only). See too, ‘Spesiale verlof’ vir Mkhize, at Maroela Media Questions over why Ramaphosa chose tourism minister as acting health minister over qualified, experienced colleagues The Citizen reports that President Cyril Ramaphosa’s move to put embattled Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize on special leave has been cautiously welcomed. But, replacing him with Tourism Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane in an acting capacity, despite her lacking a medical background, has been questioned by some. Mkhize is embroiled in the R150 million Digital Vibes Covid-19 communications scandal. While credited for her hard work in the tourism portfolio – hardest hit by the impact of Covid-19 – experts were divided on Ramaphosa’s choice of Kubayi-Ngubane for health, which has put her at the centre of the country’s response to the pandemic. The Council for the Advancement of the SA Constitution’s (Casac’s) Lawson Naidoo said Kubayi-Ngubane’s lack of a medical background was immaterial, but that good advice given to Kubayi-Ngubane would be key in a temporary acting appointment. Political analyst Ralph Mathekga believes that deputy health minister Dr Joe Phaahla would have been “capable enough to handle the department”. University of Pretoria academic Roland Henwood, said: “To me, this is a strange arrangement because I am not sure whether she is the strongest option… Considering that Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and Dr Aaron Motsoaledi were previously health ministers, but overlooked, it may indicate that the president may take a stronger role in health through her.” Institute for Global Dialogue political analyst Sanusha Naidu was equally surprised, saying: “The announcement of acting minister Kubayi-Ngubane caught us all by surprise because she was not one of the names speculated. Understandably, deputy minister Dr Phaahla cannot serve in the acting position because he is not a member of Cabinet. This is a portfolio which is at the centre of the pandemic. It is hard to understand the president’s reasoning.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Brian Sokutu at The Citizen
Three Mpumalanga cops in court for allegedly requesting R25,000 bribe to make rape charge disappear News24 reports that three Mpumalanga police officers have been arrested for allegedly soliciting a R25,000 bribe to drop a rape charge. The officers, all stationed at the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit, appeared in the Kabokweni Magistrate's Court on Monday. The accused, namely Sergeant Bonisile Mjali, Sergeant Xolani Nxumalo and Constable Thulisile Mkhatshwa, were released on R3,000 bail each. "It is alleged that on 7 January 2020 one of the accused was investigating a case of rape against the complainant. Instead of arresting the suspect, the accused phoned him and told him that she is investigating a case against him, but in order for him not to be arrested and for the case to be cancelled he must pay R25,000. The accused drove to the workplace of the complainant, demanding money. He told them that he does not have such amount of money but he can only manage to give them R5,000 cash," a Hawks spokesperson reported. The accused allegedly requested an additional R10,000 and kept phoning the complainant to demand more money. He reported the matter to the Hawks, who investigated. The case has been transferred to the Nelspruit Commercial Crimes Court and is expected to resume on 6 July 2021. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nicole McCain at News24
Bail for former Limpopo teacher accused of raping pupil on several occasions News24 reports that a 50-year-old former Mbilwi Secondary School teacher in Thohoyandou, Limpopo, who has been accused of raping a pupil, was granted R3,000 bail in the Thohoyandou Magistrate's Court on Tuesday. Makhuvha Solomon, who has since resigned, was arrested on 14 May. According to the police, the pupil was allegedly raped on several occasions in 2018. The victim, who is now 20, opened a case at the Thohoyandou police station in April. The accused faces three counts of rape. An NPA spokesperson said the teacher allegedly threatened the victim and offered money for her silence. Among Solomon’s bail conditions are that he does not communicate with the victim in any manner, that he not leave the province without informing the investigating officer, and that he report to Sibasa Correctional Services every last Friday of the month. The case was postponed to 16 August 2021. Mbilwi Secondary School made headlines in April following the suicide of Grade 10 pupil, who took an overdose of pills after she was bullied at school. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sesona Ngqakamba at News24 Other internet posting(s) in this news category
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