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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Survey finds coronavirus vaccine hesitancy waning as rollout gathers pace BL Premium reports that a growing proportion of SA adults say they are willing to get a coronavirus vaccine if one is offered to them, reflecting increasing confidence in the shots as the country’s inoculation drive gets under way. This is according to the latest round of a large national study that has been running since shortly after the pandemic began. It found vaccine acceptance had increased to 76% in April-May, up from 71% in February-March. The National Income Dynamics Study - Coronavirus Rapid Mobile Survey (NIDS-CRAM) has been conducted five times since the coronavirus pandemic began, enabling researchers to track trends in key issues such as employment, hunger and education. Data for the fifth round of the survey was collected between 6 April and 11 May, and for the second time included detailed questions about people’s willingness to get vaccinated against Covid-19. The survey included 5,862 interviews and was nationally representative. “Many more people were hesitant when it was abstract. Only when it becomes a real possibility do they give it real consideration and get over some of the not-so-well founded fears they had initially. Knowing people who had the vaccine and survived it weighs more heavily than social media rumours,” study co-author Ronelle Burger, an economist at the University of Stellenbosch, indicated. Almost half (47%) of the respondents who were vaccine hesitant in February-March had changed their minds and agreed to be inoculated when asked the same questions in April-May. The study found the most common reason for believing vaccines were unsafe was concern they had been developed so fast that they had not been adequately tested. Only 1% cited conspiracy theories. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tamar Kahn at BusinessLive (paywall access only). Lees ook, Al hoe meer wil entstof hê, by Maroela Media Thursday’s official launch at Waterkloof Base of SANDF Covid-19 vaccine roll-out postponed, but vaccinations to continue in others areas Pretoria News reports that the official launch of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) Covid-19 vaccine roll-out was postponed on Thursday due to technical challenges. The launch of the programme had been scheduled to take place at the Military Medical Centre situated within the Waterkloof Air Force Base in Pretoria. SANDF spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini said the actual launch of the vaccination programme had been postponed due to technical, internal and operational processes they needed to make sure were in place before making any further pronouncements. However, Dlamini said despite the postponement of the launch, the planned roll-out of vaccinations of members would continue in all other areas that were initially earmarked. Dlamini said they would like to cover as many members as possible, in particular those that were on the frontline such as the deployed members and members that were on courses where they congregated in large numbers. According to the force, 16 vaccination sites have been identified for the purpose of inoculating uniformed, civilian and extended members of the military community across the country. The voluntary inoculation programme will prioritise regular force members, including reserve force members on call-up. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Goitsemang Tlhabye at Pretoria News More than 3,500 SAPS employees inoculated by third day of Covid-19 vaccination drive ANA reports that at least 3,500 SA Police Service (SAPS) employees had been inoculated by the third day of a national Covid-19 vaccination campaign, the service indicated on Thursday. “Those who have received the vaccine have rallied behind SAPS management’s clarion call to vaccination as a measure of ensuring that the infection, transmission and mortality rate within the organisation is reduced,” national spokesperson Colonel Athlenda Mathe said. She added that as at Wednesday night, the number of SAPS employees who had tested positive for Covid-19 had risen to 32,894. “The recovery rate sits at 30,955 with the mortality rate remaining at 673,” she advised. “Management is once again urging more of its police officers and support personnel in all nine provinces to voluntarily present themselves at all registered sites across the country. The provincial vaccination drive of SAPS members and personnel kicks off today (Thursday) in seven provinces and will continue up until the first week of August,” Mathe said. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jonisayi Maromo at Independent Media Sibanye-Stillwater receives first batch of Covid-19 vaccines Fin24 reports that precious metals producer Sibanye-Stillwater has received 3,500 doses of the Covid-19 vaccine after the company received approval from health authorities to conduct inoculations at its medical facilities. The company, which is the largest platinum producer in the world, joins other mining companies such as Impala Platinum that have been approved for workplace vaccinations, in a process that will follow government's guidelines for distribution. Sibanye spokesperson James Wellstead said they were expecting more deliveries going forward. The company advised last month it would administer Covid-19 vaccines at four of its medical facilities in SA. According to the Minerals Council SA (previously known as the Chamber of Mines), the sector has so far recorded 480 Covid-19 deaths, with 40,133 positive cases. A total of 7,493 workers are said to be fully or partially vaccinated. The mining sector has expressed interest in extending vaccinations to mining communities and families of employees, but this move would require government's approval. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sibongile Khumalo at Fin24 Democratic Alliance MP Cameron Mackenzie dies after Covid-19 battle Independent Media reports that Democratic Alliance (DA) chief whip Natasha Mazzone announced on Thursday ’’with great sadness’’ that her colleague Cameron MacKenzie had died after a ’’severe battle’’ with Covid-19. McKenzie, who was DA spokesperson on communications and digital technologies, would have turned 61 next month. On 7 January last year, Mackenzie was shot during an attempted robbery in Dainfern, Johannesburg. After surgery, MacKenzie had almost fully recovered, but died on Wednesday night in Fourways. ’’Cameron was a valued member of the party’s parliamentary caucus and a dear friend who will be missed sorely. South Africa has lost a great public servant who served his country diligently and with the utmost passion,’’ said Mazzone in a statement. Read the original of the short report in the above regard at Independent Media. See too, DA-LP oorlede ná stryd teen Covid-19, at Maroela Media Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Police officer about to be arrested shoots and kills himself at Mfuleni police station after scuffle with fellow cops Cape Argus reports that a deadly drama unfolded at Mfuleni police station on Tuesday after a police officer who was about to be arrested allegedly shot and killed himself after scuffling with fellow officers. The officer, who belonged to the Kuils River visible policing unit (Vispol), was to have been arrested for alleged theft of ammunition. The incident report compiled by the unit commander said that while another officer was seated at the counter, the suspect grabbed his service pistol out of his holster and cocked the firearm. The officer got up and a scuffle between the two occurred. Another officer joined in and tried to disarm the suspect when a shot went off and the suspect fell to the ground. “The suspect shot himself under the chin, and was transported by ambulance to the hospital and was later declared deceased. A theft of the firearm case was then opened,” the report advised. Criminologist Guy Lamb said: “When it comes to the arrest of police, it is up to the arresting officer to determine the risk an individual might pose; if someone in their view is not posing a risk, they might not cuff them immediately or put them in holding cells.” He added: “I think it was really poor judgement on the part of the police officers. The suspect might have been calm, and showed no signs of wanting to grab the firearm, hence they thought it wasn’t necessary for them to cuff him, but I think it does underscore the need to be very cautious and take the necessary steps to ensure the safety of the arresting officers, and the safety of the suspect are ensured in these kind of cases.” SA Police and Allied Workers’ Union (Sapawu) president Bonga Makuliwe appealed to police officers, when making arrests, to follow the arrest procedures at all times. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sisonke Mlamla at Cape Argus
Expectations and stakes high as public sector wage negotiations continue on Friday Fin24 reports that unions and the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) are set to meet again on Friday in an attempt to break the ongoing deadlock in the public sector wage negotiations. A draft agreement is on the table with the latest proposals that government has made to unions, which represent an array of public servants, including teachers, police officers and nurses. Democratic Nursing Organisation of SA (Denosa) spokesperson Sibongiseni Delihlazo indicated that the latest developments in the facilitation process were relayed to the union's membership and it would provide consolidated feedback from its structures. Meanwhile, the Public Servants Association (PSA) issued a circular to members expressing its view that nothing in the employer's offer had changed significantly since it walked away from the negotiation process. "The crux of the proposal is still the same… the employer has not moved from the initial offer of [a] 1.5% pay progression payable to all employees," the circular reads. The PSA said it had opened up a balloting process among membership to determine whether the union should accept or reject the latest offer. The ballot closed on Wednesday afternoon. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Khulekani Magubane at Fin24 Local government bargaining council to mediate in municipal pay dispute BL Premium reports that the SA Local Government Bargaining Council (Salgbc) will this month attempt to resolve pay talks between municipalities and workers after all parties involved in negotiations declared disputes. In June, the SA Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) and the Independent Municipal & Allied Trade Union (Imatu) rejected an independent facilitator’s proposal for a three-year pay deal that called for a 4% increase in the first year, and increases based on the consumer price index minus 1% for the second and third years. In May, Samwu, which had initially demanded a one-year agreement with a R4,000 pay rise across the board, revised its demand to the greater of R2,500 or 7%. Imatu is demanding 9%, or R2,500. Both unions rejected the 2.8% increase offered by the SA Local Government Association (Salga), which represents the country’s 257 municipalities. Samwu general secretary Dumisane Magagula said this week that the union has reverted to its original demand for a R4,000 increase. It is threatening to strike if the conciliation process fails. Salga confirmed this week that it had filed its dispute papers at the bargaining council. The Salgbc secretariat said it would “consolidate the three disputes”, with the conciliation process scheduled for 19 and 20 July. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinessLive (paywall access only)
Mine deaths rose 33% in the first half 2021, continuing a spike in deaths which began last year Reuters reports that SA’s mines recorded 32 deaths in the first half of 2021 compared with 24 during the same period in 2020, continuing a spike in deaths which began last year. With the death toll last year up around 18%, the sector has seen a regression in safety from a record low in 2019. “We are still greatly concerned that we are still experiencing these accidents,” said Department of Mineral Resources and Energy’s chief inspector of mines David Msiza. “In 2021 we are seeing a worsening of the fatality trend, this is not acceptable to the Minerals Council and our members,” commented Nolitha Fakude, president of the Minerals Council SA (previously known as the Chamber of Mines). Mining injuries during the first of this year also rose to 1,066 from 679 during the same period a year earlier. Msiza noted that the Covid-19 lockdown meant mines were not operating at full capacity in 2020. Rock fall incidents including seismic events remained a significant challenge for the platinum and the gold sectors, while transport related accidents mostly affected the coal and platinum sectors. Government and industry said they were working on improving the fatality record by addressing behavioural changes, the impact of the pandemic, technology development and ensuring there were enough rock engineers and seismic experts. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tanisha Heiberg at Moneyweb SA mining industry to step up efforts as deaths rise BL Premium reports that the Minerals Council SA (MCSA), unions and the regulator agreed on Thursday to revisit their health and safety protocols and to target problematic areas in mining, as the trend in fatalities in 2020 and early in 2021 showed a worrying reversal. So far in 2021, the industry has had a total of 32 fatalities compared to 24 in the same period a year earlier. “We had a regression and so what are we doing about this unacceptable situation?” asked Themba Mkhwanazi, CEO of Kumba Iron Ore. He indicated that a special team at the MCSA (previously known as the Chamber of Mines) had come up with an action plan to eliminate incidents. Among the initiatives are bringing in experts to develop strategies to better manage the risks inherent in deep-level underground mines; new and improved technologies; better lighting for miners to see the condition of tunnels and working areas; more wire nets to catch falling rocks; and adopting global best practices. The council will spend R40m over five years on research and development into better ways to prise loose and dangerous rocks from the roofs of tunnels, which is now done by miners wielding long crowbars; rating seismic hazards and real-time monitoring of these events; the use of ground-penetrating radar; and more accurate drilling for rock blasting. All mining unions on Thursday stressed the need for training and skills development as one of the key drivers for improved safety on SA’s mines, which are among the deepest in the world, particularly its gold mines. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Allan Seccombe at BusinessLive (paywall access only) Richards Bay Minerals, which declared force majeure last week, to re-open on Monday Zululand Observer reports that KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala has announced that Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) will resume operations on Monday. The announcement follows a meeting with RBM and KwaSokhulu stakeholders as well as executives at the City of uMhlathuze on Thursday morning. The company declared force majeure last week. The provincial government, led by the premier, has been engaging with all stakeholders to bring about stability, and to deal with the security concerns and challenges that led to the halting of mining and smelting operations at the Rio Tinto subsidiary. The talks have been aimed at addressing issues affecting the community, and providing a stable environment for RBM to resume operations, as well as to promote investor confidence. Zikalala said that the matter had been dealt with at all three spheres of government and that on Thursday President Cyril Ramaphosa met with the head of Rio Tinto. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Zululand Observer. Lees ook, RBM hervat bedrywighede in Richardsbaai, by Maroela Media
Health department says it has concluded medical intern placements News24 reports that the Department of Health (DOH) says it has concluded allocating the final batch of medical graduates for in-service training. This follows months of delays. DOH spokesperson Popo Maja said the medical interns had been notified of allocated placements in their respective provinces, and it was expected that they would commence with their contractual appointments. Some 288 doctors, who graduated in March and April, have been awaiting placements for mandatory internships at public health facilities. Angelique Coetzee, chairperson of the SA Medical Association (Sama), confirmed that they had received information that 155 medical interns had been placed and would be getting their appointment letters. She said Sama would push for the appointment letters to be released as soon as possible by the various provinces. Separately, the department was served with a letter of demand last Thursday, giving it until Monday to organise community service placements. The letter, sent by Mabuza Attorneys, was on behalf of 465 doctors. Of this total, 298 were qualified medical doctors, of whom six were foreign nationals and 292 South African. A second group was made up of 167 community service doctors. Attorney Matthew Yeko, who is spearheading the litigation, told News24 that they had not heard from the department. "Our instructions are to proceed with the intended application to court," he advised. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Marvin Charles at News24
State Security Agency suspends Robert McBride TimesLIVE reports that the State Security Agency (SSA) has confirmed that Robert McBride, the head of the foreign branch of the agency, has been suspended. The SSA on Thursday, however, refused to divulge details about why he was suspended. It is not clear whether the suspension is related to a City Press article on Sunday, which reported that four South African spies were caught and left stranded in Maputo, Mozambique, after a failed SSA operation in that country earlier this year. The report indicated that the four returned safely after the intervention of state security minister Ayanda Dlodlo. “Yes we can confirm that Mr McBride has been suspended but are not in a position to discuss further details in line with the confidentiality requirement between employer and employee relations,” SSA spokesperson Mava Scott said. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Ernest Mabuza at TimesLIVE
Ekurhuleni fake doctor who sold fake sick notes arrested with his ’patient’ Independent Media reports that an Ekurhuleni man who was allegedly masquerading as a doctor and selling medical certificates was arrested together with his “patient” and the man who referred the patient to him. Reuben Magagula, Linda and Evidence Mnisi were all arrested in Tsakane last week. Magagula was charged with fraud as well as contravention of the Health Professions Act for issuing medical certificates as a medical practitioner whilst not being registered as such with the Health Professions Council of SA (HPCSA). Mnisi and Ntsele were charged with fraud. According to the HPCSA’s Eric Mphaphuli, Magagula was operating as Dr D Modiba and selling medical certificates for R300 each to those who approached him. Magagula did not have an office or a specific place he operated. People would call Mphaphuli and he would arrange to meet them on the streets where he would issue the certificates and get paid. His arrest stems from a sick note he gave to Ntsele, whose employer checked with the HPCSA if the note was authentic and if the doctor was registered. It was found that a Dr D Modiba did not exist. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Botho Molosankwe at Independent Media
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