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 Thursday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South African
labour-related reports.
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Finance Minister eyes tapping oil reserves again to plug R4.5bn gap BL Premium reports that the Treasury is considering selling more strategic oil reserves or making budget adjustments to fund new measures to curb rising fuel prices. This just more than a week after the country outlined plans to extend the reduction in the general fuel levy at an additional cost of R4.5bn. “It may well be that the department of energy may spare some more of the strategic oil to be sold. If that doesn’t happen, we will have to find a way of funding it from the fiscus through the adjustment estimates. It’s going to require solutions because we don’t know when the war [in Ukraine] is going to end,” Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana stated on Wednesday. His comments came more than a week after his department proposed a two-month extension of the plan that started in March to cut R1.50/l off the petrol pump price to soften the blow of steeply rising prices. The R6bn reprieve was funded through the sale of a portion of the strategic crude oil reserves. But the extension of the reduction in the fuel price levy, which is set to end in August, is unfunded, suggesting that Godongwana may be forced to dip into the fiscus or cut spending elsewhere. The R1.50 reduction in the fuel levy will continue to 6 July, and then be adjusted to 75c/l until 2 August, before being withdrawn the next day. The withdrawal of the temporary levy relief as planned at the end of May would have led to petrol prices jumping about R4/l. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Thando Maeko at BusinessLive (subscriber access only) Fuel Retailers Association dismisses deregulation as the answer to record-high fuel prices BL Premium reports that the Fuel Retailers Association (FRA) has scotched talk that deregulation will help reduce record-high fuel prices, and said the move would compound the problems facing fuel retailers. Fuel prices have risen by 17% since November, and the increase would have been closer to 25% if it weren’t for the temporary reduction of R1.50 in the fuel levy, which resumes in full force August. The Department of Mineral Resources & Energy (DMRE) and the National Treasury have said they intend to continue with consultations and proposals to remove the price cap on 93-octane unleaded petrol. If implemented, the move would partially deregulate the market, introduce more competition at the pumps and offer further relief to hard-pressed motorists. “Deregulation is a buzzword in SA and it is seen as a solution [to high fuel prices] which it really isn’t,” the FRA’s CEO Reggie Sibiya said at a conference in Johannesburg on Wednesday. Sibiya referred to the UK, where the sector has been deregulated yet fuel prices have continued to increase. Petrol there costs about R32/l, compared with about R23.50/l in SA (after the temporary R1.50 reduction to the fuel levy). The DA has also announced plans to introduce a new private members bill to parliament that will deregulate the fuel sector by making amendments to the Petroleum Products Act. But Sibiya said the industry wasn’t ready for restructuring and it would make matters worse for fuel retailers. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Denene Erasmus at BusinessLive (subscriber access only) Santaco says it’s not part of any national shutdown on Friday over fuel prices IOL reports that the SA National Taxi Council (Santaco) has distanced itself from being involved in the planning of a national shutdown on Friday or lobbying for other bodies to become involved. This comes after news of a possible national shutdown surfaced on social media following the recent spike in fuel prices, which will ultimately lead into a taxi fare increase. Santaco said it was in talks with the government regarding a viable solution following skyrocketing petrol price increases last week. “Santaco has never lobbied any organisation for a national shutdown, and not even planning any shutdown. We still however, hold the strongest view that there’s an urgent intervention needed from government and this despite looming taxi fare increases,” Santaco indicated on its Twitter page. However, Santaco and the National Taxi Association (NTA) have warned that another taxi fare increase was on the cards due to the recent price increments. Santaco chief strategic manager Bafana Magagula said it was a norm that the industry increased prices every year around June and July, but the difference this year was the continuation of fuel price increases. “Therefore, taxi fares might rise a bit higher than normal,” he indicated. NTA spokesperson Theo Malele said the industry had been impacted negatively with some people losing their vehicles, leading to job losses. Political analyst Ralph Mathekga said he was not surprised that ordinary working-class South Africans had called for a national shutdown because the rising cost of living had made it near-impossible for them to lead decent lives. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Brenda Masilela at IOL. Lees ook, Nasionale betoging ‘onwaarskynlik’, by Maroela Media Taxi council in KZN supports national protest on Friday against fuel hikes The Witness reports that the SA National Taxi Council (Santaco) in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) has expressed its support for the call for a national shutdown on Friday in protest against fuel hikes. Santaco provincial spokesperson Mduduzi Makhunga said the strike was not their idea, but the current financial situation and ever-increasing diesel and petrol prices left them with no option but to support the shutdown. Makhunga stated: “This is affecting the [taxi] industry and it will definitely affect commuters because taxi fares will have to increase. We have just been hit by Covid-19 and some businesses have had to fold, and the government relief fund of R350 has not been for all citizens. If need be, let the country close down. Enough is enough.” It has been reported that labour federation Cosatu and some civic organisations have agreed to bring the country to a standstill on Friday in retaliation for the sky-rocketing fuel prices. The federation was expected by Wednesday to have a clear mandate on how it would participate and support its affiliates in co-ordinating the shutdown. Cosatu KZN provincial leader Edwin Mkhize indicated: “We have our own internal engagements and by Wednesday afternoon we should have a clear mandate on how we should approach the reported shutdown. We are not going to fold our arms while the hardworking masses are taken advantage of.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Chris Ndaliso at The Witness
KZN teacher dies after being shot in the head at school by unknown assailants News24 reports that a teacher, aged 28, was shot dead at Riverdene Secondary School in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) on Tuesday morning. The KZN education department said the teacher was ambushed by three unknown assailants, who fled the scene immediately afterwards in their black getaway vehicle. According to paramedics, the teacher had sustained a single gunshot wound to the head and was transferred to hospital in a critical condition, but was later declared dead. A murder case was opened and police are still investigating. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Alfonso Nqunjana at News24. Lees ook, Onderwyser op pad skool toe geskiet, by Maroela Media MEC concerned at deaths of five North West teachers in seven days TimesLive reports that North West education MEC Mmaphefo Matsemela on Wednesday said she was disturbed about the loss of five educators, a general assistant and two pupils. They died in various incidents in the past two weeks. Three of the educators died of natural causes. The department said a teacher from Rutanang Primary in Rustenburg was shot dead while sitting in her car in front of the school gates last Tuesday. At Kutlwanong Special School for the Deaf near Phokeng, the principal and the general assistant died separately from natural causes last week. The deputy principal of Tlhoafalo Secondary school in Sannieshof also died of natural causes, while a teacher from the same school died in a car accident. On Tuesday, a principal from Tlhabane Technical School died. Also last week, two pupils from Bloemhof Primary School were killed in a vehicle accident. “I am concerned at the large number of departmental officials who have died in recent weeks,” Matsemela said, adding that losing so many experienced employees at the same time was a problem. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at TimesLive Boxer Simiso Buthelezi passes away from brain injury EWN reports that Boxing SA (BSA) has confirmed the death of Simiso Buthelezi. The fighter had been in an induced coma in Durban since the weekend after he was found to have bleeding on the brain in the final round of his bout against Siphesihle Mntungwa. The 24-year-old lightweight boxer looked set for victory when he became disorientated after he knocked down his opponent and began throwing punches in the air. Officials were immediately concerned and put an end to the fight. Buthelezi was immediately hospitalised where scans revealed the extent of the damage to his brain. He was put under sedation and never recovered, succumbing to his injuries late on Tuesday evening. BSA has said it would conduct an independent medical review of the incident. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mawande Mateza at EWN. Lees ook, Breinbesering eis bokser ná geveg, by Maroela Media Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Unicef says teachers, pupils must be given psychosocial support to deal with effects of Covid-19 News24 reports that as the world recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic, schools have been encouraged to ensure pupils are not left behind. Muriel Mafico from Unicef noted that the pandemic has had a severe impact on schooling across the world. Speaking on the first day of the Department of Basic Education Early Grade Recognition Research Indaba, Mafico said: "The impact of Covid has been said time and time again. We have acknowledged Covid has set us back. Covid has eroded the gains we had made. There are tremendous learning losses emanating from Covid." She said that on the path to recovery, governments needed to reach every child and retain them in school and increase catch up learning on what was lost. Mafico went on to point out: "Business as usual will not cut it. We cannot use the same approaches we used before Covid to catch up. The magnitude of the crisis we are facing, requires we have stronger collaboration at an international and national level... all hands on deck. If we do not take action, we will have permanent losses." Mafico said teachers and pupils should also be offered psychosocial support to deal with the effects of the pandemic. Moreover, ensuring that children learnt how to read should be a priority. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tebogo Monama at News24 Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Comair June salaries doubtful as airline tries to find investor or face going belly-up Business Report writes that Comair, which suspended its flights last week, would most likely not be able to pay its workers’ salaries for June as pressure mounts for the airline to find an investor in the next few weeks or go belly-up. This was told to organised labour on Monday by Business Rescue Practitioner (BRP) Richard Ferguson. The airline's management along with the BRP told the unions – including the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa), Solidarity and the Pilots Association of SA – that it could not divulge the amount necessary to keep Comair afloat under non-disclosure agreements, but that it was urgent that the airline got an investor. Numsa spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola said: “They (Comair) have weeks to find an investor or be wound down. We are concerned about the jobs. We do not want the airline liquidated, but it is frustrating how they shut it down without letting labour know. The BRP told us that there is no money, that there was no certainty that salaries for June will be paid or guarantee medical aid will be paid.” Hlubi-Majola said Numsa had offered to facilitate that the airline’s workers be registered with the Department of Labour for training lay-off schemes while the Comair options were being considered so they would not be left in the cold. She added that the unions had offered to help the airline identify a potential investor, as happened with SA Express when it was in a similar predicament. Numsa does not want the current executive led by Glen Orsmond to be involved. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Banele Ginindza at Business Report. Lees ook, Comair se situasie ‘beroerd’, by Maroela Media
Ismail Momoniat appointed as acting DG of Treasury after serving as deputy director-general for 22 years Moneyweb reports that Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana has appointed Ismail Momoniat as acting director-general (DG) of the National Treasury, effective from 8 June 2022. “I am confident that Momoniat will keep a steady hand on the till of the organisation, steering the department to meet our strategic agenda while ensuring continuity and stability,” the minister said in a statement issued on Wednesday. Momoniat, who was the head of tax and financial sector policy at Treasury, takes over from Dondo Mogajane who had been in the role since June 2017. According to a statement issued in April, Mogajane elected not to extend his contract, which ended on 7 June 2022. According to Treasury, Momoniat, who was a mathematics lecturer at the University of the Witwatersrand, has served in the department for 27 years, of which he served in the role of deputy director-general for 22 years. He holds a Master of Science (MSc) degree from the London School of Economics and a Master of Science in Mathematics from the University of the Witwatersrand. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nondumiso Lehutso at Moneyweb EFF rejects Ismail Momoniat's appointment as acting D-G at Treasury EWN reports that the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party has rejected the appointment of Ismail Momoniat as acting Director-General of the National Treasury. Momoniat's appointment was announced on Wednesday by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana. His appointment follows the departure of former Director-General Dondo Mogajane. The EFF accused Momoniat, who has worked at the Treasury for 27 years, of being central to the Treasury's efforts to undermine transformative and progressive legislative proposals in Parliament. The party's spokesperson Leigh-Ann Mathys called for a younger professional at the Treasury to be given an opportunity to bring fresh ideas to the department: "We are aware as the EFF that there are plans to keep Momoniat beyond his retirement years in the National Treasury. Now, we have young professionals there that are highly skilled, and they should be allowed to do their jobs without being micromanaged by people who should be at home looking after their grandchildren; instead they want to keep Momoniat there." Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Veronica Mokhoali at EWN Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Home Affairs suspends four more officials linked to passport fraud syndicate The Citizen reports that the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has suspended four more officials liked to passport fraud operations involving Pakistani nationals. This was confirmed by DHA Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, who told MPs on Wednesday that the four officials were linked to the Pakistani kingpin in respect of passport fraud, who was arrested in Krugersdorp in March. A multi-disciplinary operation in March led to the arrest of 29 suspects for alleged fraud, corruption, contravention of the Immigration Act and possession of suspected fraudulent documents. The suspects were arrested at the DHA office in Krugersdorp, following intelligence received regarding the fraudulent passport allegations countrywide. According to Motsoaledi, the arrested kingpin and his syndicate had been operating in six provinces, excluding the Northern Cape, Free State and North West. He indicated: “In the coming weeks we will continue to arrest more people, both foreign nationals and South Africans involved in passports fraud and other forms of identity theft as well as corruption. Members of the public give us credible information about corruption taking place at Home Affairs. We value this partnership and we follow up on each lead.” Motsoaledi further called on South Africans to stop selling their identities to foreign nationals. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by The Citizen Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Thulas Nxesi has spent over R1.6m on official trips abroad, with daily allowances amounting to over R88K BL Premium reports that Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) Minister Thulas Nxesi, who is tasked with addressing the country’s spiralling unemployment rate, has spent nearly R2m on official trips abroad since President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed him to the portfolio in 2019. A reply to a parliamentary question submitted by the Democratic Alliance (DA) showed that Nxesi had been on official trips to Botswana, Brazil, Cuba, France, Switzerland and the Ivory Coast. The DA’s Michael Cardo indicated the following on Wednesday: “The total amount spent on accommodation and flights was R1,693,390.13, while the minister helped himself to daily allowances amounting to R88,714.17. This includes a whopping R403,923.79 on flights and accommodation to Brazil alone, where the minister attended a Brics ministerial meeting in September 2019.” This is not the first time Nxesi has come under fire for international travel. In 2019, his department was criticised for sending a 62-member delegation to a 12-day International Labour Organization (ILO) conference in Geneva. Cardo commented that with the expanded unemployment rate sitting at more than 45% and the runaway cost of living, “marked by punishing fuel and food prices hitting the poor and the jobless the hardest”, it seemed particularly callous for Nxesi to be “gallivanting around the globe at taxpayers’ expense”. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
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