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 Wednesday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South African
labour-related reports.
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Electrician killed in shootout involving 150 zama zamas at Sibanye-Stillwater’s moth-balled Cooke shafts Daily Maverick reports that an electrician and Sibanye-Stillwater employee was shot and killed on Monday night in a shootout between zama zamas (illegal miners) and mine security at the company’s moth-balled Cooke shafts near Randfontein. Security sources estimate that up to 150 armed men were involved in the attack, which may help explain allegations that when the police finally showed up they did nothing. The illegal operation seemingly had the aim of sending hundreds of zama zamas underground. On Sunday night, power cables were cut in advance of the incursion. But on Monday night, Sibanye, which is responsible for the mine, sent out a team under heavy guard to restore the power. That team came under fire from an estimated 150 heavily-armed zama zamas. During the assault, which lasted for hours with sporadic shooting, the electrician was shot dead. “There were about 150 armed assailants — it was planned and they had stashed supplies,” one source said. Military-style weapons were involved in the attack. Another security source said it was unlikely that 150 armed men would be involved and that a couple dozen were likely backing up scores of zama zamas who were planning to go underground. Sibanye has apparently been trying for years to get closure certificates for the shafts from the government, but to no avail. Properly closing them down, which would include flooding the tunnels, would presumably keep the zama zamas at bay. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ed Stoddard at Daily Maverick Solidarity calls for action after illegal miners kill Sibanye-Stillwater employee Mining Weekly reports that Solidarity has expressed “utter disgust” at the killing of an electrician by illegal miners at Sibanye-Stillwater’s Cooke plant. According to the trade union, on the night of 6 June illegal miners shot and killed a worker while he was doing normal repair work to power cables. Solidarity said the victim and his colleagues were doing emergency repairs in good faith and posed no threat to the illegal miners. “He was shot in cold blood. Mining is in itself a high-risk industry and it is now becoming even more dangerous as a result of the presence of illegal miners,” Solidarity strategy and sustainability deputy general secretary Advocate Paul Mardon said. Solidarity maintains that the increase in unsafe conditions for employees in the mining industry can be mainly attributed to the government’s inability to curb illegal mining in SA. Mardon indicated: “Despite numerous fatal incidents at mines and repeated requests from Solidarity for the government to take deliberate action against the criminals, illegal mining activities have increased in the country and the government has not had any apparent success against them. The role that the government is playing in this regard, be it due to a lack of competence or the absence of a will to intervene in matters, cannot be emphasised strongly enough. These issues are not mere theoretical policy issues. They have tangible consequences and employees can no longer pay with their lives because a careless government is dragging its heels.” He emphasised the union’s demand for “immediate, clear and considerable action”. Read the original of the report in the above regard at Mining Weekly. Lees ook, Optrede geëis ná zama-zamas werker vermoor, by Maroela Media Harmony Gold reports yet another fatality at its Kusasalethu mine Fin24 reports that Harmony Gold has reported a fatality at its Kusasalethu mine near Carletonville caused by an engineering-related incident on Monday afternoon. The fatality comes a month after four workers lost their lives at the same mine as a result of a mudslide. The relevant authorities have been informed of Monday’s incident and an investigation is under way. "We are deeply saddened and very concerned by the frequency of incidents, particularly at this mine – it is unacceptable. Our heartfelt condolences go out to those impacted by this loss of life," the company said in a statement on Tuesday. Harmony advised that a safety day was held at Kusasalethu on Tuesday, where safety messages were reinforced and the importance of the miners' safety, and accountability values, were emphasised. "Our priority at this stage is to support the families, colleagues and friends impacted by this tragedy and to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the reason for yet another incident," said Harmony CEO Peter Steenkamp. Read the original of the short report in the above regard at Fin24. See too, Employee killed in engineering-related incident at Harmony's Kusasalethu, at Mining Weekly
Two Prasa workers shot and critically wounded by suspected cable thieves in Cape Town News24 reports that two Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) workers are in a critical condition after being shot and wounded while repairing cables on Cape Town's beleaguered Central Line. On Tuesday morning, police were called to the scene at the railway lines near Kalksteenfontein where the workers had been shot by unknown gunmen. According to police, the suspects arrived at the scene in a VW Polo and opened fire on the two. Prasa spokesperson Nana Zenani said details were still sketchy and added: "The incident took place along the Central Line while contractors were busy with recovery as part of the corridor recovery. The shooters intended to steal the copper cables before they were even relayed as part of the repair works." Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk said a 44-year-old male was shot in both legs, while another, aged 36, was shot in his left arm. He also sustained bruises to the back of his head. Both victims were taken to a nearby medical facility for medical treatment. Police are investigating cases of attempted murder. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lisalee Solomons at News24 Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Western Cape premier Alan Winde calls for end to all Covid restrictions BL Premium reports that on Tuesday Western Cape Premier Alan Winde called for an end to the last remaining coronavirus restrictions, which he said were hampering economic activity and job creation. SA has the lowest level of restrictions since the hard lockdown imposed in March 2020, but limits remain on the size of large gatherings such as conferences and sporting events, and travellers flying to SA have to provide proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test not older than 72 hours. Winde said he had written to President Cyril Ramaphosa on 27 May, and again on Monday, calling for an urgent meeting of the president’s co-ordinating council to discuss the issue. He argued that SA could safely reopen the economy in full, because there had been a continued decoupling of Covid-19 infections and hospital admissions since SA’s fourth, Omicron-driven wave in December. It was time to emphasise personal responsibility, drop indoor mask mandates, and allow convention centres, theatres and stadiums to operate at full capacity, Winde said, adding that the province was fighting for residents’ businesses and jobs. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tamar Kahn at BusinessLive (subscriber access only) Other internet posting(s) in this news category
With their stance seemingly softening, unions resume talks with SARS to resolve wage strike Fin24 reports that as unions representing workers at the SA Revenue Service (SARS) resume talks on wages to end their strike, the position of the Public Servants Association (PSA) and the National Education, Health, and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) appears to be softening. The two unions announced a full-blown national strike at SARS last month. But the PSA suspended its strike last week pending talks with the employer, while Nehawu has referred matters to its membership for a mandate to resume negotiations or continue striking. Unions are demanding a CPI plus 7% increase in wages, which SARS claims it cannot afford. SARS has offered to channel an undisclosed amount from its 2021 budgetary savings towards salaries, but the unions have rejected this, saying it would not amount to a meaningful salary increase. According to SARS spokesperson Siphithi Sibeko, while the agency was not at 100% capacity, all operations continued as normal for the tax body. PSA spokesperson Reuben Maleka said the union would hold meetings with the employer to find a semblance of common ground and that labour was prepared to take its time in that regard. Nehawu spokesperson Lwazi Nkolisi indicated: "There are no new developments or updates other than that we are continuing with our strike while talks between the union and SARS are unfolding." Talks between labour and SARS are expected to continue on Wednesday. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Khulekani Magubane at Fin24
Outsourcing company challenges extension of bargaining agreement to non-parties in road freight and logistics sector TimesLive reports that Innovative Staffing Solutions (ISS) has launched an urgent application before the Labour Court in which it seeks to block the extension of the collective agreement in the road freight and logistics sector to non-members. On Monday, the outsourcing company, which provides permanent employment to more than 36,000 staff, brought an application in two parts. In part A, ISS asked the court, pending the determination of a challenge at a later date in part B, to interdict the National Bargaining Council for the Road Freight and Logistics Industry (NBCRFLI) from enforcing its main collective agreement against ISS. In Part B, ISS asked for an order reviewing and setting aside the decision of the minister of employment and labour to extend the period of the operation of the NBCRFLI’s main agreement to non-parties as published in a government gazette of 11 February 2022. It also wants the extension of the period of operation of the main collective agreement to 2024 to be invalid and of no force and effect. “In reality, this extension risks forcing even more companies to reduce benefits to employees, cut back on salaries, and even potentially causing job losses at ISS to force compliance with the NBCRFLI,” according to ISS. The company remains locked in a legal battle against the bargaining council over the question of whether it falls within the council’s jurisdiction, and subsequently whether it should be forced to comply with the council’s main collective agreement. ISS wants the urgent application to be heard next month. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ernest Mabuza at TimesLive. Read too, Outsourcing company approaches labour court over extension of wage deal, at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
Numsa tells workers Comair could be weeks away from liquidation EWN reports that the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) has told workers that Comair reckoned it was just weeks away from liquidation if it did not urgently secure investors to get the airline flying again. This followed a tense stakeholder meeting between unions, Comair’s CEO Glenn Orsmond and the business rescue practitioners (BRPs) at the airline’s Kempton Park offices on Tuesday afternoon. Workers fear they won’t get paid this month after Comair abruptly grounded its Kulula and British Airways planes last week, citing crippling cash flow problems. Numsa shop steward Sandile Xekhe told the group of about 100 workers gathered at the offices that the situation was dire. "The BRPs are quite hostile and there are literally just two options: it's either they get funding or they wind down," he indicated. Xheke also painted a grim picture for the month ahead: "They don’t want to commit to paying our salaries this month end, they don’t want to pay back pay what is due to us, they're also not able to commit to paying the medical aid during this process." Numsa said it was doing all in its power to cushion workers from the hardship brought on by the collapse of operations at the airline - including securing some income at the end of the month. It warned workers that liquidation would be the worst possible outcome. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Masechaba Sefularo at EWN
Allegations of nepotism in hiring of executive’s son dog Information Regulator City Press reports that alleged failure by the Information Regulator to comply with the provisions for hiring staff members has drawn the attention of the Public Service Commission (PSC) and the Public Protector. The two bodies have instituted an investigation following a whistleblower complaint that the regulator’s executive of corporate services, Hellen Shube, allegedly played a pivotal role in manipulating the system that resulted in the appointment of her son, Lindo Shube, to the company in December. In a complaint addressed to the PSC, the whistleblower said the process to appoint Lindo had been designed and manipulated for “selfish and corrupt interests” by Shube. PSC spokesperson Humphrey Ramafoko confirmed that they had investigated allegations of nepotism at the Information Regulator after receiving the complaint last month. Ramafoko indicated: “After assessment, the PSC has taken a decision to refer the matter to the Public Protector, since the PSC does not have a mandate over the Information Regulator.” Shube declined to comment, referring enquires to the regulator’s head of education and communication, Mukelani Dimba, who confirmed that Lindo had indeed been appointed as a policy analyst at the Information Regulator last year. Dimba said: “On realising that her son had applied for the position, Shube disclosed the conflict of interest in accordance with section 45(1) and 45(2)(b) of the Protection of Personal Information Act, and recused herself from any decision-making process regarding this appointment.” However, a top executive at the regulator maintained that Shube hadn’t disclosed the conflict of interest. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Norman Masungwini City Press (subscriber access only) Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Presidency’s application to review lifting of suspension of Public Works and Infrastructure D-G Sam Vukela to be heard next week Cape Times reports that the review application by the Presidency to overturn the lifting of the suspension of Public Works and Infrastructure director-general Sam Vukela will be heard in the Labour Court next week. Vukela was suspended in July 2020 in connection with awarding contracts for state funerals and the controversial Beitbridge border post. However, he challenged his suspension in the General Public Service Sector Bargaining Council (GPSSBC). In April, the GPSSBC ordered Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele and Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Patricia de Lille to lift the suspension of Vukela as he had been suspended for more than the prescribed 60-day period. Gungubele subsequently filed papers to review and set aside the award. The matter has been set down for 14 June. According to the head of legal services, Geoffrey Mphaphuli, Gungubele challenged the award taking into consideration the seriousness of the charges levelled against Vukela. Briefing MPs, he said the arbitration award did not take into account the investigation and was more about procedural matters. He acknowledged that the suspension had been too long and that the council had concluded that the disciplinary proceeding chairperson had no basis not to continue with the hearing. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mayibongwe Maqhina at Cape Times. Read too, Gungubele to challenge bargaining council’s decision on suspended public works DG, at TimesLive
Mhlathuze Water takes disciplinary steps against CEO and CFO Engineering News reports that the board of Mhlathuze Water has resolved to take disciplinary action against its CEO and CFO on charges of financial misconduct and maladministration, following an intensive investigation commissioned by the board in December 2021. The investigation was initiated after whistle-blower allegations implicating the CEO Mthokozisi Duze and CFO Babongile Mnyandu were brought to the board’s attention. Chairperson Thabi Shange said the two executives were subsequently put on precautionary suspension to allow for an investigation to be conducted and would remain on suspension until the disciplinary process had been concluded. He added that, according to the recommendations of the investigation, which found that the two executives had flouted aspects of the Public Finance Management Act, an independent disciplinary process would ensue in the coming weeks. In a separate investigation, four other officials from the supply chain management and technical services department were also put on precautionary suspension. Swaswa Ntlhoro and Thokozane Hlongwane will continue in their roles as interim CEO and CFO, respectively, to ensure that Mhlathuze Water’s mandate of delivering bulk water and wastewater services to municipalities and industries in northern KwaZulu-Natal continues unhindered. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Engineering News
Mpumalanga Cogta head gets R10,000 bail in R6-million PPE tender fraud case SowetanLive reports that Mpumalanga co-operative governance and traditional affairs (Cogta) head Samkelo Ngubane has been released on R10,000 bail by the Nelspruit Magistrate's Court in connection with a R6-million personal protective equipment (PPE) tender. Ngubane’s appearance came after he handed himself over to the Hawks on Monday. The case was postponed to 28 July for further investigation. Ngubane joins Raymond Manzini, a deputy director of disaster management under Cogta, his younger brother Chris Manzini, and Moses Ndlovu, who owns Zalabantu Estate Trust. The other accused were previously released on R15,000 bail each. The Manzini brothers and Ndlovu are charged with fraud, corruption and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act. Hawks spokesperson in Mpumalanga Cpt Deneo Sekgotodi reported: “Their arrest followed an investigation related to the tender which was advertised by the department of Cogta for the supply of personal protective equipment whereby during the process of the tender and the appointment, the company of deputy director Raymond Manzini's friend, Moses Ndlovu, was appointed unlawfully with the influence of the deputy director. After the appointment was made, Ndlovu did not have resources to supply the PPEs, and was financially assisted by Manzini. After the delivery of the items, he invoiced the department and then repaid Manzini by depositing R6m into the deputy director’s younger brother Chris Manizini’s account.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mandla Khoza at SowetanLive
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