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 Tuesday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South African
labour-related reports.
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Four Durban metro policemen and a retired officer succumb to Covid-19 in a week Independent Media reports that four Durban Metro police officers and a retired officer died from Covid-19 complications in a week. Durban Metro police spokesperson Senior Superintendent Parbhoo Sewpersadh said all the policemen were long-standing policemen and their deaths were a tragedy. Tributes poured in for Captain Marlon Pillay, 45, who died in hospital after battling Covid-19 for three weeks. At the time of his death, Pillay had been with law enforcement for 21 years and Sewpersadh said he had worked tirelessly in the fight against drugs in the Chatsworth and greater Chatsworth area. His death was followed by Inspector Nicholas Langa from the public transport department, Sergeant Mnguni from the alcohol roadblock centre and Inspector Bhekumuzi Elias Ndlovu, who had been based in Verulam. Retired policeman Superintendent Johan Truter also died in the same week. He had been with metro police for many years and retired two years ago. Sewpersadh said all steps were being taken to encourage policemen to get vaccinated and that 572 out of the 2,772 metro officers had received their Covid-19 vaccinations. Read the original of the report in the above regard by Jolene Marriah-Maharaj at Independent media Naptosa concerned at increase in Covid infections at schools EWN reports that the National Professional Teachers' Organisation of SA (Naptosa) has expressed concern at the increase in Covid-19 infections at schools. Northern Cape schools have recorded more than 500 new cases over the past week, while Eastern Cape schools have seen about 400 new infections. The Free State has also recorded an uptick. Naptosa's Basil Manuel drew attention to the number of active cases in the country's least populous province: “It is particularly concerning that [in] the Northern Cape, that is a very sparsely populated province with a very low population, we are seeing over 500 new cases in the last week. That’s very worrying.” He added that there was a similar trend in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN): “When you look at KZN where the figures have gone up, last week we saw almost 780 cases.” Manuel said the figures showed safety measures could not be relaxed. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Lizell Persens at EWN Western Cape health department hits out at anti-vaxxers after protest at Groote Schuur Hospital EWN reports that Western Cape Health authorities have slammed anti-vaxxers for fuelling vaccine hesitancy. A group of demonstrators gathered outside Groote Schuur Hospital on Saturday to protest against Covid-19 vaccines. Despite this, the province recorded a record turnout at inoculation sites on Friday, when SA’s vaccine drive opened to over 18s. "I just don't understand why people don't believe us when we say that the vaccines are safe," Western Cape Health Department's Dr Saadiq Kariem said. He went on to note that misinformation by Covid-19 denialists and those against the jabs was harmful. "There's no 3G in the vaccine. There's certainly no conspiracy theory. All we're trying to do is help by making sure that the population is as protected as possible against coronavirus," Kariem pointed out. He added that it was even more dangerous when medical professionals were against the shots: "It just baffles my mind how other medical professionals can, in fact, be anti-vaccination because people will believe professionals, you know, and take their word as they've studied this field." Management at Groote Schuur also slammed anti-vaxxers. Read the full original of the short report in the above regard by Lizell Persens at EWN. Read too, Groote Schuur Hospital board lambastes utterances by anti-vaxxers, at Cape Argus Anti-vaxxer protest highlights debate around mandatory jabs, with labour law professor noting that the public interest can limit individual rights EWN reports that with SA’s Covid-19 vaccine rollout now in full swing, there are mixed views and questions about whether vaccinations will eventually become mandatory. Over the weekend, a group of people held a protest against the vaccine rollout outside Groote Schuur Hospital. Professor emeritus at the University of Cape Town and practising attorney at BCHC Attorneys, Halton Cheadle, is of the view that when you rely on a constitutional right, no right is absolute and can be limited within the public interest. “You’d see that in the law relating to seatbelts, the public interest is the individual health of drivers and passengers and the public health argument about limiting the amount of trauma, arising from motor accidents which will happen, placing pressure on one's hospital needs,” he pointed out. Cheadle said that there were many scenarios that could play out, but clarity in law was needed. “As far as discrimination is concerned, I think, when, for example, it's a restaurant or an employer says 'Look, though you can come and eat in my restaurant or alternatively you can come and work in my factory but you must be vaccinated', now that would be discrimination or differentiation, that wouldn't be unfair, given the enormously powerful arguments concerning the public interest,” he argued. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Kaylynn Palm at EWN. Read too, Mandatory jabs not on cards yet, but experts say pandemic requires special measures, at Sunday Times City of Johannesburg hoping for more arrests over fake negative Covid test certificates EWN reports that the City of Johannesburg indicated on Monday that it was hoping to track down more suspects who colluded with a health worker stationed at the Parkhurst clinic who allegedly sold fake Covid-19 negative test certificates to travellers. A 28-year-old man who worked for the city was due to appear in the Booysens Magistrate’s Court on Monday morning following his arrest at the weekend. He was expected to face charges related to fraud and corruption as well as possession of stolen goods. The City’s Lucky Sindane said that they were also trying to track down those who bought the negative test certificates for travelling purposes. "This suspect was not working alone, there are people that he was working with, especially from the laboratory. We expect to make more arrests, as the investigation is ongoing," Sindane indicated. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Mia Lindeque at EWN. Read too, Joburg nurse to appear in court for allegedly selling fake Covid-19 negative certificates, at The Star Minister Thoko Didiza calls on all workers in the agricultural sector to get vaccinated News24 reports that Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Minister Thoko Didiza has called on workers in the agricultural and agro-processing sectors to go out in their numbers to get vaccinated. "I encourage all unvaccinated people, especially in our sector, to get vaccinated because vaccines protect us from getting seriously ill from Covid-19 and it save lives," Didiza said. Meantime, AgriSA has thrown its support behind the vaccination drive, with executive director Christo van der Rheede indicating as follows: "Farm workers are considered essential workers and the vaccination of those working in the sector must be prioritised. Ensuring farm workers receive their vaccinations can not only reduce losses in the industry, but can also ensure food security for the country." While there are many health protocols in place, farm workers and those working in the agro-processing sector are still at risk of contracting the virus, especially those sectors that rely on seasonal workers. This can lead to a large number of people travelling from other parts of the country, which can increase the risk of transition. Van der Rheede commented: “Vaccinations trump all kinds of home-made remedies, traditional medicines and other medical treatments. These are all supportive medicines, but a vaccination is going to save your life. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Canny Maphanga and Nicole McCain at News24 Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Senior Gauteng health official shot multiple times outside complex in Joburg in apparent assassination hit TimesLIVE reports that a woman, believed to be a senior official in the department of health in Gauteng, was shot several times outside her complex in Mondeor, south of Johannesburg, on Monday morning. The shooting happened just after 8am and the woman was alone in the car. Police spokesperson Capt. Kay Makhubele said the woman had dropped off her child at school shortly before the shooting. “While opening the gate at her complex, a white BMW stopped next to her and [an occupant] shot her several times on her upper body. She was taken to hospital and so far we don’t know her condition,” Makhubele indicated. He went on to say that it appeared that “someone was waiting for her to assassinate her”, but the motive for the shooting was under investigation. An attempted murder case has been opened, but no arrests had been made by Monday afternoon. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Iavan Pijoos at TimesLIVE Other internet posting(s) in this news category
UIF to open online applications for unrest relief scheme on 25 August Engineering News reports that the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) will start accepting applications for the Workers Affected by Unrest (WABU): Temporary Financial Relief Scheme from 25 August. The financial relief scheme has been established to assist workers whose workplaces have been closed owing to the recent unrest in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, resulting in workers receiving partial remuneration or no pay. According to a recently published directive, employers will be required to apply on behalf of affected workers and they will have to meet several qualifying conditions. These include that the employer is registered or will have to register with the UIF and that the employer’s closure must be directly linked to the destruction, damage or looting of the workplace. Moreover, the employer must provide details of the destruction, closure, damage or looting of the workplace and submit documentary proof of a report to the police, with proof that a case has been opened. If insured, proof of submission of an insurance claim must be provided. Payment of the WABU: Temporary Financial Relief will be directly into the worker’s bank account unless the UIF Commissioner specifies that payments can be made into the employer’s account. The relief will be paid at a flat rate of R3,500. The benefit is not linked to the UIF’s normal benefits. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Engineering News
Numsa starts nationwide demonstrations over wage negotiations Engineering News reports that the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) has started with nationwide demonstrations, even while wage negotiations with the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa) are ongoing. According to Seifsa, this action has, so far, involved peaceful demonstration and not picketing. Picketing may only be embarked on in support of a protected strike or in opposition to a lock-out, but neither parties has served strike or lock-out notices on the other. Meanwhile, the parties continue with negotiations on the federation’s wage offer. Seifsa first made a wage offer on 28 July, during which other trade unions indicated a willingness to accept the offer, but Numsa shortly thereafter declared a deadlock with the federation. Read the original of the short report in the above regard at Engineering News
Woolworths to do away with SA CEO position as Zyda Rylands steps down Fin24 reports that Woolworths will no longer have a CEO for its SA operations, with the current person in the role, Zyda Rylands, stepping down after leading the division for six years. The retailer announced on Monday that Rylands was leaving her role as Woolworth SA (WSA) CEO and as executive director of Woolworths Holdings Limited due to "personal circumstances". It indicated further that: "The group has reviewed its leadership structure for WSA and will not retain the WSA CEO role as it seeks to streamline its operating model.” The retailer added the Rylands agreed to defer her planned early retirement to remain with the group until 2024 and that for the remainder of her tenure “she will focus her energies and her passion on leading the WSA Foods business, which she has been instrumental in growing and positioning as an industry-leading, food retailer." Rylands has been widely credited with the success of the company’s food business, which competes with the likes of Shoprite’s Checkers in the high-end of the consumer market. Read the full original of the report in the above regard compiled by Ahmed Areff at Fin24. Read too, Woolies SA CEO calls it a day after nearly six years at helm, at BusinessLive
Gauteng education department official loses job for sending unsolicited porn videos to client The Star reports that a Gauteng Department of Basic Education official has paid the price for sexually harassing a client of the department by sending her unsolicited pornographic videos. MT Phanyaphanya has lost his job for the unacceptable act he committed against the woman who contacted him on WhatsApp for information. Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) arbitrator Yolisa Ndzuta ruled last week that the department’s decision to dismiss Phanyaphanya was substantively and procedurally fair. Phanyaphanya had sought to have the dismissal overturned on grounds that a finding that he sent the two sexual videos to harass the woman was wrong. He maintained that he sent the explicit videos for education-related purposes. The victim testified that she was disgusted and felt violated by the content. Ndzuta cited jurisprudence setting out that sexual harassment must be viewed from the point of view of a victim. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Bongani Nkosi at The Star
Technical problems put brakes on Metrorail’s train services in parts of Gauteng Independent Media reported on Monday on Metrorail’s temporary suspension of some services in Gauteng due to technical problems relating to diesel locomotives. Diesel locomotives are currently being used for the hauling of commuter trains due to the unavailability of overhead traction equipment (OHTE), some of which was extensively vandalized and stolen during the prolonged lockdown period. “The train services affected by the suspension are lines operating between Pienaarspoort and Pretoria, and the recently introduced second train operating between Leralla and Johannesburg,” said Gauteng Metrorail spokesperson Tony Games. He advised that train services between Naledi and Johannesburg and the trains between Leralla and Elandsfontein had not been affected and were operating according to schedules. “The Leralla-Elandsfontein service has been extended to Germiston, to allow commuters to access economic opportunities,” said Games. He went on to say: “Metrorail management is working around the clock to speedily resolve this challenge. Metrorail would like to sincerely apologise to its valued commuters and employers about this temporary suspension.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jonisayi Maromo at Independent Media. Read too, Gauteng rail commuters left to find own transport as Metrorail suspends service, at EWN Other internet posting(s) in this news category
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