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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Suspended Numsa officials claim union’s leadership looking for shortcut in order to run congress against court order Fin24 reports that a group of suspended National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) officials have, in an internal memo, accused the union’s national leadership of trying to find a shortcut to continuing with its national congress in Cape Town, which was interdicted by the Labour Court. The court ruled on Saturday that the congress could not take place until concerns regarding the suspension of 31 Numsa officials were addressed. Among the suspended officials is Numsa's second deputy president and SA Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) president Ruth Ntlokotse. She says her suspension blocked her from running for the position of Numsa president at the congress. Lawyers for the suspended officials on Monday urged the union not to go ahead with the event, as they would be in contempt of court if they did so. In their memo, the suspended officials pointed out that Numsa's Mpumalanga region remained under administration, which the court had ruled contravened its constitution. The memo further claimed that Numsa's national leadership was attempting to cherry-pick who was invited to the congress, adding that there could be "no shortcut". Numsa held a special central committee meeting on Tuesday, which it said would rectify the congress inconsistencies raised by the Labour Court. While a small number of Numsa members were seen at the Cape Town ICC in their regalia on Tuesday morning, the congress did not officially commence. A source present at the gathering indicated that the credentials committee started sitting after 15:00 on Tuesday. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Khulekani Magubane & Terry Bell at Fin24 Numsa leaders resolve to convene 11th national congress from Wednesday to Friday this week EWN reports that leaders of the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) have resolved to convene the union's 11th national congress from Wednesday to Friday. The decision was reached during a special central committee meeting of the union, which concluded on Tuesday afternoon. Numsa was interdicted from proceeding with the elective congress after members who were suspended successfully challenged their suspensions at the Johannesburg Labour Court. Although sources who were in the Numsa central committee meeting say delegates locked horns several times over the credentials needed to convene a congress, the faction in support of the re-election of current leaders headed by general secretary Irvin Jim got their way in the end. Having invited suspended members back into the processes of the union, an obligation they needed to fulfil as per the constitution of Numsa and the Labour Court judgment, the group with the upper hand in the central committee apparently believes they will be fully compliant with the prescripts of the policies and laws that govern them. The Eastern Cape region’s Mziyanda Twani is said to have told the central committee that convening the congress would not be possible despite the appointment of a credential committee to handle issues around who should be present or not. The Eastern Cape is among the regions calling for a leadership change in the union. He threatened that they would not be party to a process that violated their constitution, spelling even more trouble for the divided union. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Theto Mahlakoana at EWN Ntlokotse willing to run for Numsa leadership following court ruling The Star reports that according to the National Union of Metal Workers of SA’s (Numsa’s) second deputy president, Ruth Ntlokotse, she was willing to run for a leadership position at the union’s elective congress. This after the Labour Court in Johannesburg pronounced that the suspension of Ntlokotse and several other officials was illegal, unconstitutional and unenforceable. The court was of the view that the suspensions were merely effected to stop certain delegates from attending the union’s elective congress that was supposed to be held in Cape Town this week. Ntlokotse’s name had been paraded on social media as being part of a slate that would contest at the elective congress. She was accused by some national office-bearers of being behind a faction of Numsa calling itself Numsa 2. Part of her suspension was because some of her colleagues had accused her of defining herself outside the collective. This after Ntlokotse contested and won the SA Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) presidency at this year’s congress without Numsa’s blessing. “If workers want me to lead I will raise my hand and avail myself. For now I cannot say I want to lead without workers saying so otherwise I will do wrong things,” Ntlokotse indicated. She said she was heartbroken about a breakdown in good relations between her and the male-dominated leadership of Numsa. She claimed she was being victimised for condemning corruption and dishonesty in the union. Ntlokotse said she could not rule out the possibility that workers would leave Numsa for other unions if the leadership spats in the union continued. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Itumeleng Mafisa at The Star
Business urges Ramaphosa to make his energy plan happen, but NUM says government ‘in a rush to facilitate the privatisation of Eskom’ BL Premium reports that the inclusion of the private sector to play a major role in resolving the country’s energy crisis as outlined in the plan to end load-shedding presented by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday has been widely welcomed by business leaders. But one of the unions representing the power utility's workers said the plan left the impression that the government was “in a rush to facilitate the privatisation of Eskom”. The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), which alongside the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa), represents most of the estimated 46,000 workers at Eskom, said in a statement that it seemed from the president’s address that the private sector, not Eskom, was seen as a priority in resolving the energy crisis. “Eskom is made to fail to pave the way for the addition of private players in the energy sector… Giving the responsibility to build new capacity to the private sector is going to destroy Eskom,” the NUM said. The union also objected to the announcement by Ramaphosa that the licensing threshold for independent power producers, which was raised from 1MW to 100MW last year, will be removed completely. “Most mining companies will start producing electricity for their operations, which will leave Eskom with no big customers,” the union said. In stark contrast to the response from NUM, the Minerals Council SA, Business Unity SA (Busa) and the Energy Intensive Users Group of SA welcomed the interventions announced by the president. Highlighting the need to implement the plan as swiftly as possible, UCT energy expert Anton Eberhard reckoned that, if all the recommendations outlined by Ramaphosa were implemented within six months, SA could expect load-shedding to diminish and power cuts to end in three years. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Denene Erasmus at BusinessLive (subscriber access only). Read too, South African miners commit to playing their part to support new energy plan, at Engineering News Other internet posting(s) in this news category
More SARS branches reopen after striking PSA workers agree to 'temporary' truce over wage negotiations Fin24 reports that the number of SA Revenue Service (SARS) branches closed due to a lack of staff has fallen to 12 after striking workers from the Public Servants Association (PSA) agreed to return to work, at least temporarily. SARS employees affiliated with the PSA and the National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) went on strike in May over wages and benefits after SARS offered an annual wage hike of just 1.39%. After a pause for further negotiations, the strike recommenced two weeks ago, shutting a majority of the tax agency's service branches throughout the country. The PSA’s Reuben Maleka indicated on Tuesday that its members had returned to work on Monday. While 41 of the tax agency's 52 branches were shuttered last week, only a dozen were closed on Tuesday. Maleka warned that the union's roughly 5,500 members at the revenue collection agency could go on strike again in early August if SARS did not improve its wage offer. Meantime, PSA members are waiting to hear whether President Cyril Ramaphosa will respond to their memorandum of demands. While most PSA members have left the picket lines, roughly 5,200 SARS staff affiliated with Nehawu are still on strike. Nehawu’s Lwazi Nkolonzi said the union was engaging its members about SARS latest offer of a 1.5% pay hike. He denied that the strike was losing steam, saying Nehawu members would continue industrial action for as long as needed. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jan Cronje at Fin24
Exxaro partners with YES Programme to increase job opportunities for the youth in its host communities Mining Weekly reports that diversified mining and renewable energy solutions company Exxaro Resources has established a partnership with nonprofit organisation the Youth Employment Service (YES). Through this partnership, programmes will be implemented across Exxaro’s coal mining operations in Limpopo and Mpumalanga to help create employment pathways for young South Africans. The programmes which will be implemented in the mining company’s host communities include the SME.Tax initiative, which will provide 50 young accountants with skills and practical work experience to help them reach and sustain a position. The other initiative is LulaRides, which will train 200 young South African scooter drivers over 12 months. The drivers will then be in a position to earn an income from working on various online delivery platforms. The YES Programme aims to transform companies, communities and the youth by connecting the youth to economic opportunity. Read the original of the short report in the above regard at Mining Weekly
Some Telkom shareholders pushed back on extent of R20m retention bonus afforded to ex-CEO Sipho Maseko Fin24 reports that some Telkom shareholders questioned the R20-million retention bonus paid to the company's former CEO Sipho Maseko, citing a "lack of rationale for such a large sum". The bonus was paid in two batches. The company's annual report states that Maseko, who resigned last year and ceased his CEO responsibilities at the end of December, was paid R10 million in the 2021 financial year and another R10 million in the 2022 financial year. He remained with the company until June 2022, providing support to his successor, Serame Taukobong, and also acting as an advisor to the board. Maseko had been Telkom CEO for eight years. The report said while the shareholders acknowledged the reasons behind Maseko's retention, they were "concerned about the total value of the award". It went on to indicate: "Shareholders were also concerned about the lack of rationale for such a large sum being paid to the GCEO. In addition, they were concerned that Telkom did not deliver the retention payment as equity and is additional to other variable pay he is eligible to receive." The board explained that it considered it "strategically important" to retain Maseko's services for a minimum period of two years. It indicated that the decision at the time was supported and approved based on the timing of the company's value unlock strategy, including the significant shifts taking place in the telecommunications space. "He had an immeasurable impact and placed Telkom on a firm footing," the board claimed. Telkom's value unlock strategy was birthed under Maseko's leadership. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sibongile Khumalo at Fin24 (subscriber access only). Read too, Telkom pays departed CEO R10m ‘retention bonus’, in the year he resigns, at Moneyweb Pay parity for winning Banyana players does not mean prezzies from glory-hunting ministers Carlos Amato writes for Mail & Guardian that the Banyana squad will get an extra R5.8-million to share for their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) triumph, courtesy of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture. But who knows how such a big pot of money could be rustled up on the fly between a Saturday and a Tuesday. Amato opines that this lavish donation will definitely not make Minister Nathi Mthethwa the national hero he has always been in his own mind. However, it does seriously boost the previously agreed bonus pool of R9.2-million (or R400,000 per player). Even that sum looked decent – until one discovered that fully R8-million of it was covered by the tournament prize money, paid straight from the Confederation of African Football. This means the SA Football Association (Safa) itself has only contributed a modest R1.2-million of its own money to reward Banyana for matching Bafana Bafana’s 1996 Afcon triumph. When Bafana lost in the quarterfinals of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) 2019, they received Safa bonuses of R520,000 each – R120,000 more than Banyana will get for winning the whole tournament. Amato says that Safa needs to adopt true gender pay parity immediately in its national teams. When performance bonuses are factored in, Banyana should be earning much more than Bafana. He points out that Safa is a public asset and, as a matter of principle, its resources should be spent on uplifting and developing the game for both sexes. At the reception function this week, Safa president Danny Jordaan declared his commitment to parity – but said he would have to talk to the sports minister in order to make it happen, which fits into a pattern of Safa buck-passing on the issue. Amato says SA’s wonderful women footballers deserve the respect expressed in equal pay from Safa – right now. Read the full original of Carlos Amato’s opinion piece on the above at Mail & Guardian (subscriber access only). Read too, Safa under fire to close pay gap between Banyana and Bafana, at SowetanLive
Suspended public works director-general Sam Vukela back at work after two years’ paid suspension TimesLive reports that Department of Public Works & Infrastructure (DPW&I) director-general Sam Vukela is believed to have returned to work after a two-year legal battle challenging his paid suspension. Vukela apparently reported for duty on Monday, 25 July for the first time since July 2020, when he was suspended by DPW&I Minister Patricia de Lille. This was in connection with allegedly awarding irregular contracts for state funerals, including that of struggle stalwart Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. At the time of the suspension, he was also fingered in a report by the Public Service Commission (PSC), which investigated allegations of irregular appointments within the department’s senior-management service. Vukela’s return to work came a week after the Labour Court dismissed, with costs, Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele’s application to review and set aside an arbitration award by the General Public Service Sector Bargaining Council (GPSSBC). The award ordered that Gungubele and De Lille lift Vukela’s suspension after it was found they had committed an unlawful labour practice by suspending him and ordered his immediate return to work. It is unclear if Vukela’s return will be short-lived, as Gungubele has not indicated whether he intends to appeal the ruling. His spokesperson said: “The minister is still studying the judgment and will be properly briefed by the legal team.” Vukela’s five-year contract ends in less than six months. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nonkululeko Njilo at BusinessLive
Alarm raised that disciplinary action proceeding against whistleblower Gauteng doctor whose suspension was lifted after outcry News24 reports that the Progressive Health Forum (PHF) has raised the alarm over the increasing intimidation of healthcare workers who speak out about poor conditions. PHF convenor Dr Aslam Dasoo said it was concerning the Gauteng health department was continuing with the disciplinary process against whistleblower Dr Tim De Maayer, despite his suspension having been lifted last month. Dasoo claimed that this amounted to intimidation of healthcare professionals who spoke up about the intolerable conditions under which they worked. De Maayer, a paediatrician at the Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital, was suspended on 10 June after blowing the whistle on the poor state of the hospital. He wrote an open letter to the department, stating the "horrendous conditions in our public hospitals" contributed to children's deaths. His suspension sparked outrage from senior healthcare professionals and academics and members of the "I Am" movement addressed a letter to Gauteng Premier David Makhura and Health Minister Joe Phaahla in solidarity with De Maayer. The initial letter had 130 signatures from senior health professionals. An updated follow-up letter had garnered more than 10,000 signatories from healthcare workers and public members nationally. The movement also launched a petition in which it demanded, among other things, the cessation of disciplinary processes against De Maayer and his colleagues. They called for the establishment of an independent inquiry that would investigate the conduct of provincial health officials and the CEO of the hospital. Department spokesperson Motalatale Modiba said the disciplinary action against De Maayer had "been mute for almost a month". He denied accusations of intimidation. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Cebelihle Bhengu at News24
Gauteng teacher found not guilty after Grade 8 pupil accused him of sexual misconduct in 2019 during class News24 reports that a Gauteng teacher has been found not guilty after a Grade 8 pupil accused him of sexual misconduct. The Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) found mathematics teacher Thomas Sombane not guilty after it concluded that the pupil had contradicted herself. The council also found she was "unreliable and not trustworthy". The pupil had accused Sombane of pointing at his private parts and saying: Ufunani la kimi (what do you want from me). She also accused him of brushing her thigh. She said this happened in 2019 while other pupils were present. According to the council, the pupil denied being problematic. And for her, ufunani la kimi meant Sombane wanted to "sleep with her". One of her classmates confirmed the incidents to the council. But two other pupils, who were in class at the time of the alleged incident, accused the complainant and her friend of lying. One of them, who testified in favour of the teacher, said Sombane had a "good relationship with learners", adding she had never seen him touching pupils inappropriately. The pupil said the complainant and her friend "misbehaved in class" and were both "troublesome". ELRC arbitrator S Fourie found the complainant was "indeed a troublesome learner". Fourie said Sombane was truthful in his testimony, adding he had no problem with the pupils. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jeanette Chabalala at News24
Commuters protest at Putco depots over looming 19% fare hike SowetanLive reports that Putco bus commuters have slammed a looming 19% fare increase, which will come seven months after an earlier hike of 8% was implemented. On Monday, dozens of commuters protested outside Putco’s depots in Dobsonville, Soweto and Soshanguve, north of Pretoria, over the increase expected to become effective from 1 August. From as early as 4am, the protesters gathered outside the depots and submitted memoranda of demands to the operational managers on site. A single trip from Soweto to Sandton will cost R15, up from R13, while a trip from Soshanguve to Pretoria will increase from R26 to R31. Headline consumer inflation in SA surged to 7.4% in June and several commuters said they were already feeling the pinch of not having enough money to run their households. Batho Pele Soweto Commuters Forum chairperson Mandla Cebekhulu said Putco should completely scrap its 19% fare increase. “This is an unfair bus increase. Commuters do not have that kind of money. Most of the commuters have not received salary increases. We have given the management until end of business on Friday for them to respond. If they do not agree with our demand, no buses will move next week Monday,’’ said Cebekulu. He advised that the commuter forums had agreed for bus operations to continue until the end of the week. Putco spokesperson Matlakala Motloung said the increase was inevitable: ''Due to the recent fuel price increases, the fuel proportion of total costs has increased significantly. Putco has been absorbing the fuel price increases for many months, however it has now become unaffordable.” She said the bus entity would continue to engage with passenger forums. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mpho Koka & Keletso Mkhwanazi at SowetanLive Prasa gears up to open sections of the Western Cape’s Central railway line Engineering News reports that the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) was due to start trial operations on the Cape Town to Langa via Mutual station route, the Cape Town to Langa via Pinelands station route, and the Bellville to Ysterplaat via Lavistown station route, on the Central line corridor in the Western Cape, on Tuesday, 26 July. The trial operations will determine the state of readiness to resume commuter services on the corridor. This service recovery forms part of Phase 1 of the Central line recovery programme. The Central line was closed in 2019 owing to theft and vandalism. Subsequent recovery work on the corridor was also hampered by illegal occupations on the rail network during the Level 5 lockdown amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Prasa said that the resumption of the service on the lines would be a major milestone given the difficulties experienced with the relocation of households on the rail reserve, as well as the constant attacks by criminal syndicates on security personnel. To resume this service, Prasa has had to rebuild the infrastructure from the ground up. “To safeguard the rail infrastructure, Prasa has increased security on the ground for the safety of our commuters and staff. We have also installed anti-vandalism and antitheft technology to mitigate against future theft and vandalism,” the agency advised. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Engineering News
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