In our Tuesday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South African
labour-related reports.
|
Richards Bay cop gunned down on Friday night, service pistol stolen Independent Media reports that a 41-year-old sergeant was gunned down on Friday night and his service pistol stolen. National police spokesperson Colonel Brenda Muridili indicated that Sergeant Nkosinathi Phindokuhle Ngcobo, from Richards Bay SA Police Service (SAPS), was gunned down while on duty in the Ndaya area at around 7pm. “It is reported that he was on his way to pick up a SAPS member who resides in the Ndaya area. The member's state service pistol, wallet and cellphone were taken by the suspects,” Muridili reported. A case of murder and armed robbery has been opened, but no arrests have yet made. Also on Friday, Sergeant Sharon Mogale of the Tembisa police station was shot in the head while she and her partner, Sergeant Mapule Petje, were attacked and disarmed by four armed suspects in a store. Petje was not injured in the attack. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Jolene Marriah-Maharaj at Independent Media. See too, KwaZulu-Natal cop shot dead, service pistol stolen, at News24 More arrests expected after six accused make first court appearance for whistleblower Babita Deokaran’s murder News24 reports that six men appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court on Monday in connection with the murder of Gauteng health department official Babita Deokaran. Nhlangano Ndlovu, Siphakanyiswa Dladla, Zitha Radebe, Simphiwe Mazibuko, Sanele Mbele and Phakamani Radebe were charged with murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and possession of an unlicenced firearm and ammunition. More persons are expected to be arrested in connection with the murder. According to the Hawks (Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation), all the six accused were arrested in KwaZulu-Natal. A seventh person was arrested but not charged due to a lack of evidence. None of the arrested men worked for the Department of Health. The accused will return to court on 13 September for their bail application. Deokaran’s killing is suspected to be linked to her role in the investigation into dodgy personal protective equipment (PPE) contracts in Gauteng. She was reportedly a key witness in a Special Investigating Unit investigation. Deokaran was gunned down outside her home last Monday. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lwandile Bhengu at News24. Read too, Babita Deokaran’s alleged killers in court, seventh suspect released due to lack of evidence, at Independent Media SA must do more to keep whistleblowers safe, says Ramaphosa after murder of Babita Deokaran TimesLIVE reports that President Cyril Ramaphosa says the fight against corruption has gained momentum since the state capture inquiry started its work and the government must urgently review its approach to the broader protection of whistleblowers by tightening existing laws and policies. The president made these remarks on Monday in his weekly newsletter. They followed the fatal shooting of Babita Deokaran, a senior finance official in the Gauteng health department. Deokaran was a long-time whistleblower who exposed alleged irregularity and corruption in the department. She had been a key witness in the Special Investigating Unit’s investigation into fraudulent Covid-19 personal protective equipment (PPE) contracts. Questions have been raised around the protection of key witnesses following Deokaran’s murder. “It is clear that as the fight against corruption gathers momentum, we need to urgently review our current approach not only to witness protection, but also to the broader protection of whistleblowers. We need to tighten up existing systems and provide greater support to those who publicly come forward with information. As a society, we need to identify where existing laws and policies are inadequate in protecting the livelihoods, reputations and safety of whistleblowers, and work together to address these,” Ramaphosa wrote. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nonkululeko Njilo at BusinessLive. Read too, Slain whistle-blower Babita Deokaran potentially unveiled a criminal syndicate at the Department of Health, at Daily Maverick. En ook, Staat moet fluitjieblasers beskerm – Ramaphosa, by Maroela Media Fitness trainer who allegedly strangled, assaulted female JMPD officer faces attempted murder charge Independent Media reports that a female Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) officer from the K9 unit was allegedly viciously assaulted at the weekend while arresting a motorist for speeding and skipping a red traffic light. The motorist also allegedly “attempted to brazenly bump into a JMPD patrol vehicle after being pursued and stopped by the officer”. An e-hailing driver and a woman came to the rescue of the officer, who was allegedly strangled by the suspect in the south of Johannesburg on Sunday night. The motorist, a 24-year-old fitness trainer, was arrested by private security guards. According to JMPD, the suspect was driving at high speed when the officer gave chase and eventually managed to stop the motorist. JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla said the officer called for back-up and went to the motorist, calling for him to wait until other officers arrived. The motorist, a white man, allegedly hurled derogatory insults, assaulted and strangled the officer, who was saved by the passing e-hailing driver. The suspect was arrested and detained for attempted murder, assault GBH, resisting arrest and reckless and negligent driving. The officer was taken to hospital with injuries to her head, face, left eye and right shoulder, sustained from the suspect's beating. She was discharged on Sunday evening after treatment. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sihle Mlambo at Independent Media. Read too, JMPD officer 'viciously assaulted' by 'speeding' 24-year-old motorist, at TimesLIVE Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Limpopo health MEC defends ‘no vax, no mjolo’ poster EWN reports that the Limpopo Department of Health has defended its remarks on a controversial poster that did the rounds on social media last week encouraging the 18 to 34 cohort to vaccinate against Covid-19 infection. The poster read “mjolo slaps better when you are protected, no condom, no sex - no vaccine certificate, no dating.” On Monday, Health MEC Phophi Ramathuba stood by the controversial slogan, saying a fourth wave of infections was looming and youngsters needed to be encouraged in a language they understood. She said that the general public shouldn’t expect her department to use a tame approach for campaigns when the health department had to bear the brunt of the pandemic. “We will use the language that they understand. They will not understand if you say to them being around an unvaccinated person puts you at risk. But when you say to a young person ‘mjolo slaps better when we are vaccinated,’ it attracts them. They’ll want to understand, read and listen more,” Ramathuba explained. She said that with budget cuts within her department, they couldn't afford to be reactive when a fourth wave hit and they would use any method possible to ensure that people heeded the call to vaccinate. Ramathuba also reiterated that she was lobbying for the liquor industry to self-regulate to allow hospitals to cope. Read the original of the report in the above regard by Nobuhle Nkhoma at EWN. Read too, Limpopo authorities under fire for forced vaccination proposal, on page 2 of Sunday Independent of 29 August 2021 DA in KZN lays charges against health MEC Simelane-Zulu for flouting Covid rules EWN reports that the Democratic Alliance (DA) in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) on Monday laid charges against Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu for transgressing Covid-19 regulations. The MEC recently came under fire after visuals of herself and others flouting Covid-19 social distancing and masking regulations at a party came to light. On the weekend, Premier Sihle Zikalala ordered the MEC to make a public apology within a week's time, while 50% of her salary has been docked. The DA in the province took the matter even further and opened a case against Simelane-Zulu. The party's Francois Rodgers said: “Charges were laid by the spokesperson on heath and we now call upon the police to investigate the matter and investigate it thoroughly and ensure that justice prevails.” Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Nhlanhla Mabaso at EWN Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Foreign workers bear brunt of nonpayment of Covid-19 Ters benefits BL Premium reports that system glitches that left many workers in desperate need of cash and stranded have returned to haunt the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), with foreign nationals the worst affected. Employees have accused the fund of withholding Covid-19 funding, mostly to foreign nationals working in the country, under the pretext that it was verifying their details with the relevant government agencies. The Covid-19 Temporary Employee/Employer Relief Scheme (Ters), which the UIF administers, was established by government in March 2020 to provide relief to those in formal employment expected to lose their income due to the lockdown. Foreign nationals who are employed legally and contribute to the UIF are entitled to receive the relief. But, Cape Town businessman Derek Pryce recently highlighted that a Zimbabwean employee had not been paid the Ters benefits, despite making monthly payments to the UIF and to the SA Revenue Service (Sars). “We registered for the UIF Ters last year and the company was reimbursed for a portion of its salary payments in all cases except that of the Zimbabwean employee,” said Pryce. His employee is not the only one affected by the nonpayment and other cases are detailed in the BL Premium report. UIF spokesperson Makhosonke Buthelezi said the fund had had to “tighten its systems” after adverse findings by the auditor-general. He said the fund would not pay out until it had verified the employee with relevant government agencies including home affairs and Sars, among others. “We have been asking employers to encourage their employees to go fix their documents. There is no discrimination against foreign nationals working in SA, whatsoever,” Buthelezi stated. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinessLive (paywall access only) UIF opens applications for relief for workers affected by July riots GroundUp reports that the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) has opened applications for temporary relief funds made available to all Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal workers affected by the July unrest. Applications for the relief fund – Workers Affected By Unrest (WABU) – opened last week. According to Makhosonke Buthelezi, UIF communication and marketing director, the funds are part of the R5.3 billion Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (Ters). Until 15 December 2021, the relief will be paid at a flat rate of R3,500 per month to workers while their places of work are unable to open due to damages sustained in the riots. However, WABU funds are limited to employees registered for UIF, but who are not already receiving unemployment claims from the UIF. Also, the employer must provide details of the destruction and submit documentary proof of a report made to the police, a case number, and if insured, proof of insurance claim. Employers have been urged to apply on behalf of their employees through the Ters online portal. Money will be paid directly into the employee’s bank account. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Masego Mafata and Kimberly Mutandiro at GroundUp
Cosatu says striking ANC workers must be paid outstanding salaries Independent Media reports that Cosatu has come out in support of striking ANC workers, with the labour federation indicating that it expected the ruling party to conduct itself in an “exemplary manner”. ANC workers have been on strike since Thursday following the non-payment of their salaries and they have vowed to continue their strike until their demands were met. The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) advised it had instituted a litigation process to ensure that the ANC staff received their money. Meanwhile, a crowd funding initiative was launched by the ANC with the aim of raising funds that might assist it to pay employees who have not received their salaries. Last week, the party’s general manager, Febe Potgieter, indicated that the ANC’s finances were insufficient to pay the staff members for August. Salaries for July were also not paid. At the weekend, the party shared a post, including banking details, on social media platforms, asking members of the public and ANC supporters to make contributions to a Nedbank account. Cosatu spokesperson Sizwe Pamla emphasised that the workers were not volunteers, as they have signed contracts. “They [the workers] keep their end of the bargain, and the ANC has to honour that. Our union, Nehawu, are assisting those workers on how to facilitate their fight. Nehawu has made it very clear that they’ve been trying to engage with the ANC for some time and also indicated that they will explore legal avenues, if possible,” said Pamla. Nehawu’s Lwazi Nkolonzi indicated that the intention with the litigation process was to look at valuables, such as properties and cars, that could be turned into funds to ensure that the workers got what they were owed. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tarryn-Leigh Solomons at Independent Media
As unemployment skyrockets, DA calls for government to work with businesses to create jobs TimesLIVE reports that the Democratic Alliance (DA) has called on the government to work with businesses to ensure job creation. According to DA leader John Steenhuisen, the ANC can no longer blame apartheid, the unrest or the Jacob Zuma administration for the high unemployment rate in the country. He pointed out that the SA economy was one of the worst-performing economies before the pandemic and remained one of the least resilient. “Governments don’t create jobs, businesses create jobs. Become a partner to your job creators, stop treating them like the enemy, stop making it near impossible to get a new business off the ground and stop doing everything in your power to chase new investment away,” said Steenhuisen. He also called on the government to support small businesses that were struggling to meet agreements between the government and big businesses. The unemployment rate stood at 34.4% in the second quarter, from 32.6% in the first quarter. Stats SA said this was the highest rate since the quarterly labour force survey started in 2008. Meantime, the expanded unemployment rate, which includes people who are discouraged from seeking work, was 44.4% in the second quarter, from 43.2% in the first quarter. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Cebelihle Bhengu at TimesLIVE
Solidarity launches legal process on “certificate of need” for healthcare practitioners Solidarity announced on Monday that it had sent a letter of demand to President Cyril Ramaphosa not to enact sections 36 to 40 of the National Health Act. These sections make provision for the introduction of a “certificate of need” in terms of which healthcare practitioners will have to apply to the state for a decision on where they may practise. According to the trade union, these provisions, as well as any resultant regulations, are unconstitutional and unlawfully encroach upon the rights of healthcare practitioners. Henru Krüger, head of the Medical Guild at Solidarity, explained: “The proposed provisions are extremely worrying and are obviously unconstitutional on various grounds. Instead of broadening access to health care, this scheme will increase distrust between practitioners and the state to the detriment of all South African citizens. We believe the provisions are irrational and without any logical link to the alleged objectives. A certificate of need will also seriously encroach upon the rights of our medical staff to exercise their profession according to their own discretion. Our health personnel are also citizens and also have rights. They are not merely assets of the state that may be allocated according to the government’s preferences.” Solidarity also argued that the proposed scheme boiled down to expropriation of medical personnel’s property at the cost of both the practitioners and those who currently were using their services. Solidarity announced its willingness to take this matter further as it believed this was going to become a watershed case in litigation concerning the proposed National Health Insurance (NHI). Read Solidarity’s press statement on the above and access its letter of demand at Solidarity News. Lees ook, Regsproses begin oor ‘sertifikaat van behoefte’, by Maroela Media
Blue Label Telecoms suspends two senior executives, pending investigation about ‘internal matter’ Fin24 reports that technology company Blue Label Telecoms has suspended two executives, pending an investigation. No details have been given on the reasons for the suspension, nor what the investigation is about. "It is an internal matter we are investigating," said Elton Clothier-Huberts, stakeholder relations officer at Blue Label Telecoms. The executives are Alan Kodesh, listed on LinkedIn as the CEO of Ventury Group, and Warren Lampert, listed as the financial director of Cigicell. Ventury Group is a holding company for some of Blue Label Telecom's subsidiaries, one of them being Cigicell, which provides revenue solutions for municipalities such as prepaid electricity. Blue Label Telecoms is a shareholder of mobile operator Cell C. It provides telecommunications, technical support, data analytics services and prepaid products, among other things. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lameez Omarjee at Fin24
Senior officials and company directors at Mogalakwena municipality arrested for R15m fraud TimesLIVE reports that the Hawks (Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation) have arrested several senior officials and company directors at the Mogalakwena municipality in connection with alleged fraud amounting to R15m. Hawks spokesperson Capt. Matimba Maluleke said the 13 suspects included senior officials, company directors and 11 companies. The group was arrested at the municipal offices in Limpopo on Monday. Maluleke advised: “It is alleged the officials received gratification from service providers and other companies were paid for services not rendered. The municipality has suffered a loss of more than R15m due to these illegal activities.” During the operation, a BMW 1 Series belonging to the girlfriend of one of the suspects was seized. More arrests are expected. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Iavan Pijoos at TimesLIVE. Read too, Hawks arrest 10 Mogalakwena officials for alleged corruption, repossess car of official's girlfriend, at News24. En ook, Valke trek munisipale hoës, sakelui in Limpopo vas, by Maroela Media
|
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page