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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In urgent court application, SAB to fight booze ban to protect jobs and livelihoods in the sector The Citizen reports that SA Breweries (SAB) announced on Wednesday it would be pursuing urgent legal action in a bid to challenge the government’s fourth ban of alcohol sales for on-site and off-site consumption. President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday placed the country under lockdown Level 4 for two weeks due to the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. SAB said it was challenging a new prohibition on booze sales in order to protect jobs and livelihoods in the alcohol sector. According to the brewer, there was no scientific link showing that the consumption of alcohol raised the risk of contracting Covid-19, especially if alcohol was consumed safely and responsibly by citizens in their own homes. The brewer said it was also deeply concerned by the continued discrimination against the legal alcohol trade, which had the result of a burgeoning illicit industry in the country. This will not be the first time SAB has taken the government to court over the ban on alcohol sales. In January when the country was battling the second wave of the pandemic, the company approached the courts to rule on the constitutionality of the then ban. SAB said on Wednesday that the additional legal challenge did not detract from the first application and that that challenge was still in progress. On Tuesday, wine producers’ association Vinpro also launched an urgent court interdict application to lift the blanket ban on wine sales in the Western Cape. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Thapelo Lekabe at The Citizen Vaccine programme for educators, support staff gaining momentum, says basic education department EWN reports that the Department of Basic Education (DBE) on Wednesday said the Covid-19 vaccination programme in the sector was gaining momentum. More than 230,000 educators and other staff have been inoculated since the drive was launched a week ago. The DBE said it hoped that the vaccination programme would begin to accelerate with the closure of schools from Wednesday in adherence with alert level 4 regulations and as more Covid-19 jabs reached provinces around the country. This week, the DBE gazetted the adjusted level 4 lockdown rules for schools, which stipulate that grades R to 12 will break for winter holidays from Wednesday until 19 July. All educators and non-teaching staff will continue reporting for duty until Friday. Minister Angie Motshekga has been visiting provinces to check on their vaccination progress and to urge educators to get the jab. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Thando Kubheka at EWN Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Public inquiry into deadly 2018 Denel explosion postponed due to new Covid-19 lockdown regulations News24 reports that the public inquiry into the 2018 Rheinmetall Denel Munition explosion that left eight people dead has been postponed. This was due to the 14-day Level 4 lockdown which President Cyril Ramaphosa imposed this week to curb the spread of Covid-19. The inquiry had been expected to take place over two days from next Monday. Venessa Cupido from the Department of Employment and Labour in the Western Cape said a date for the resumption of the inquiry had not been set, but added that the situation would be assessed after the 14-day lockdown. The inquiry kicked off at the Macassar Civic Centre in May. Thirteen witnesses have testified before the commission, chaired by Mphumzi Dyulete, and some 27 others are lined up to testify in future. The department said that once the inquiry has established what had happened, officials would compile a report and recommendations to the department's chief inspector, who would hand the report over to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for consideration in the event of a finding of negligence. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Marvin Charles at News24 Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Transport union Untu accepts Transnet’s final 5% wage increase offer Engineering News reports that the United National Transport Union (Untu) has accepted Transnet’s revised final wage offer for this year, after an overwhelming response from the majority of the union’s branches to accept the offer. Untu general secretary Steve Harris said that although everyone would have wanted a better increase, the reality was that Transnet had not yet recovered from State capture and had taken a financial hammering owing to Covid-19. The final wage settlement for the 2021/22 financial year involves a 5% wage increase on basic salary backdated to 1 April and an agreement to start consultations on the restructuring of the business. Read the original of the short report in the above regard at Engineering News. See too, Meeste Untu-takke aanvaar Transnet-loonaanbod, at Maroela Media
Rio Tinto declares force majeure at its violence-hit Richards Bay Minerals operation BL Premium reports that Rio Tinto declared force majeure at its Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) operation in SA, after the murder of a senior manager and continuing violence in surrounding communities disrupted business. Australia’s Rio said the decision was prompted by violent disruptions that were endangering lives at the mineral sands operation that generates titanium. Force majeure is a legal term in supply contracts that protects companies when there are events beyond their control that disrupt operations. Rio halted its investment in its new R6.5bn Zulti South project in December 2019 because of community unrest and violence, in which an employee was shot and wounded. In May this year, Nico Swart, GM of operational services, was shot dead on his way to work, with more than 20 bullets fired into the car. “After the tragic death of our colleague, Nico Swart, RBM has faced serious challenges in recent weeks, with business disruptions orchestrated by criminals, which have put its people at risk and resulted in the costly destruction and theft of property. As a result of the recent deterioration in the security situation, Rio Tinto has taken the decision to declare force majeure at Richards Bay Minerals,” the company indicated in a statement. RBM employs some 5,000 people. Rio noted that in 2020, RBM contributed R8bn in salaries for its employees, taxes and royalties in SA, and injected R5.5bn more into the economy by buying goods and services. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Allan Seccombe at BusinessLive (paywall access only). Read too, Rio Tinto declares force majeure at its Richards Bay operations, at Moneyweb Amid continuing violence, Minerals Council calls for government intervention in Richards Bay Mining Weekly reports that the Minerals Council SA (MCSA) has condemned the ongoing acts of violence, criminal activity, serious threats to security and failures by law enforcement agencies in the Richards Bay area, and elsewhere in the country. The MCSA (previously called the Chamber of Mines) stressed in a statement on Wednesday that continued acts of lawlessness, including blockages of roads, burning of equipment and intimidation of staff at mining operations were “not only unacceptable and damaging to the country’s reputation as an investment destination, but also impact the lives and livelihoods of mining employees, their families and surrounding communities". The council referred to the murder of Nico Swart, Rio Tinto Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) operational services GM, last month, and others who have suffered the same fate, as “a tragedy that will forever tarnish our country’s reputation”. The MCSA called on government to “act swiftly to urgently restore” law and order in the area. In a separate statement, Rio Tinto announced that it had ceased operations at RBM “until the safety and security position improves”. Mining Weekly previously reported on violence in the area, amid a continuing dispute with the mine, which included a traditional leadership squabble and another in which locals demanded to be employed at the mine. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Mining Weekly Three men get life in jail for deadly bombing of mineworkers’ bus in 2018 TimesLIVE reports that three men convicted of murder related to the 2018 deadly torching of a bus that was transporting mineworkers have each been sentenced to life imprisonment. The Limpopo High Court in Polokwane sentenced Sipho Khumalo, 29, Philemon Makwana, 34, and Thabo Mokgala, 28, to life imprisonment on six counts of murder, 10 years on 47 counts of attempted murder and five years on the count of malicious damage to property respectively. The incident occurred on the night of 2 April 2018 when four men and two women were burnt beyond recognition after the fiery attack on the Segweka bus service at Driekop village outside Burgersfort while collecting Modikwa Platinum mineworkers. At the beginning of the trial in September 2019, one of the accused, 30-year-old Kgaugelo Moime, pleaded guilty to all counts and further implicated the other accused. He was sentenced to 25 years' imprisonment for each count of murder and 10 years for each count of attempted murder. NPA Limpopo spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi said the four accused held a meeting at which they had agreed to burn the bus which transports Modikwa mineworkers. “They proceeded to the bus station and joined the mineworkers, staying behind the occupants. Later the four got into the bus and Sipho poured petrol while Philemon set the bus alight. They then jumped out, leaving behind the bus engulfed in flames,” she indicated. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Shonisani Tshikalange at TimesLIVE Other general posting(s) relating to mining
Employees of Air Traffic and Navigation Services could face job cuts Fin24 reports that employees of Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) were informed on Tuesday of a possible retrenchment process in terms of the Labour Relations Act. ATNS operates, among others, at nine airports operated by Airports Company SA and its services extend beyond air traffic control to include the provision of aeronautical information used for all flight planning purposes. ATNS is one of the creditors of SA Airways (SAA). In a letter to employees, the CEO (Delegated) Dumisani Sangweni said that, although retrenchments were being contemplated, ATNS had not taken any final decisions regarding such a step. The notice merely initiated the consultation process that would be undertaken with the representative unions and the non-unionised employees representative committee. ATNS has opted for a CCMA facilitated consultation process and has requested all employees “to walk side by side with the company to try and find suitable solutions to resolve the deteriorating position it finds itself in." Solidarity has met with the management of ATNS regarding the expected process. The trade union said in a letter to employees: “Solidarity is still studying the information and may seek clarity on certain aspects before dealing with the company's proposals. This process is structured, and each item will be dealt with as the process unfolds." Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Carin Smith at Fin24
Public Protector finds Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula irregularly hired, paid advisors Independent Media reports that Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane has found that Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula irregularly appointed and paid three advisors millions of rand without the required approval of the Public Service and Administration Minister Senzo Mchunu. She ruled that the appointments of special advisors Lawrence Venkile and Bongisizwe Mpondo, as well as that of legal advisor Kaiser Khoza, had been done contrary to the provisions of the Public Service Act and other prescripts applicable to the department in 2019. Mkhwebane’s investigation also uncovered that Venkile and Khoza were irregularly paid salaries equivalent to those of deputy directors-general even though their appointments had not yet been approved by Mchunu. Venkile and Khoza were appointed at annual salaries ranging between R1.45 million and R1.71m. “Their offers in respect of contracts of appointment are dated 1 June 2019 and 21 March 2019 and Mchunu approved them later on 27 August 2019 and 11 November 2020, respectively,” Mkhwebane indicated. She advised that Venkile had undertaken to pay back the money determined as a salary overpayment. Mbalula and transport director-general Alec Moemi had undertaken to recovery all overpayments that had been effected on Khoza’s salary. Mkhwebane also slammed Mbalula’s secondment of Mpondo to the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) as administrator in December 2019. Mbalula has been ordered by Mkhwebane to urgently and appropriately take steps to ensure that when appointing a future special advisor, he submits recommendations to the DPSA minister for approval of the individual’s compensation level before the appointment/upgrade is effected. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Loyiso Sidimba at Independent Media. Read too, Cadre deployment: Mkhwebane flags Mbalula’s irregular advisor appointments, at The Citizen
Relief as health department kick starts process of medical intern placements ANA reports that according to the national Department of Health (DOH), it has begun the allocation of medical graduates to provinces, in batches. DOH spokesperson Popo Maja said provinces would proceed in turn to take over the placement of eligible medical graduates into various facilities, for the junior doctors to kick off their mandatory internship and community service training programmes for this year’s mid-year cycle. “The consultation process with the National Treasury and provincial health departments is ongoing to source additional funding for 155 accredited posts, to ensure that all 288 medical graduates awaiting to undergo the programme during the second semester are placed,” said Maja. He acknowledged the frustration expressed by the medical graduates, and appealed for patience, as some would not receive the confirmation of placement on Thursday. Last month, it was reported that more than 280 qualified medical interns were anxiously sitting at home unemployed, awaiting placement for their mandatory internship at public health facilities. The batch of about 288 medical interns, who graduated between March and April, were waiting to be allocated placements from 1 July. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jonisayi Maromo at Independent News
Solidarity warns of legal action should health portfolio committee not afford it an opportunity to make submissions on NHI Trade union Solidarity has warned the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health to include it in the public hearings regarding the National Health Insurance (NHI). This followed after the portfolio committee continued with its public hearings and invited stakeholders to participate, but failed to respond to Solidarity’s applications. “It is crucial that all stakeholders that have indicated that they want to be a part of the process, should be afforded the time and opportunity to make a submission. It is ridiculous that Solidarity is being ignored and its participation is withheld. The government cannot merely choose who it they want to listen to based on ideology. The entire country’s health sector is at stake,” said Connie Mulder, head of the Solidarity Research Institute. He indicated that the union had made numerous unsuccessful attempts to contact the committee. Yet in the meantime, hearings have already been underway for nine days. Mulder warned that should the committee not respond by 9 July, Solidarity would continue with its legal process. Solidarity reminded the government that its court documents “have been ready for a long time, and that any attempts to enforce the NHI will be greeted with litigation.” Read Solidarity’s press statement regarding the above and download its letter of demand at Solidarity News
Three officials in court for allegedly defrauding Mpumalanga education department of R6.4m News24 reports that three suspects appeared in the Mbombela Magistrate's Court in Mpumalanga on Monday on charges of fraud, theft and money laundering after allegedly defrauding the Department of Education of more than R6.4 million. "It is alleged that Pinky Norah Mbatsane, a former director in a government department, along with her son, Sibusiso Mbatsane, and her daughter-in-law, Nancy Mbatsane, allegedly colluded to defraud the Department of Education of over R6.4 million. All three suspects were employed in the same government department," Hawks spokesperson Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi indicated. Sibusiso, who worked as an inspector, and his wife, Nancy, a nutrition monitor, allegedly went around Mpumalanga recruiting private companies for tender contracts. "They took company documents from the owners and submitted them to the department as if those companies rendered services to the state. These companies would receive undue payments from the department, and the trio would later collect the funds from the owners of the companies. The government department subsequently suffered a total loss of approximately R6.4 million due to their fraudulent activities," Sekgotodi said. The case against the three was postponed to 12 July 2021. Read the original of the report in the above regard by Nicole McCain at News24 Other internet posting(s) in this news category
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