In our roundup of weekend news, see
summaries of our selection of South African
labour-related stories that appeared since
Friday, 19 August 2022.
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Cosatu plans to bring economy to a halt in nationwide strike on Wednesday The Citizen reports that trade union federation Cosatu has urged workers across all sectors and ordinary South Africans to join a national strike against worsening living conditions in the country. Cosatu, which is a key labour ally of the ANC, says its members are ready to take to the streets on Wednesday against the rising costs of fuel and food and the continuous power cuts. The union on Sunday outlined its plans to bring the economy to a standstill in a bid to get government to acknowledge the socio-economic crisis facing millions of South Africans. According to the federation, the only way to make the government act against the unaffordable cost of living is to bring the economy to a halt. General secretary Bheki Ntshalintshali indicated that the strike would take form of a “stayaway” and a legally protected strike. However, the mass protest may not bode well for the economy. Last week, political analyst Andre Duvenhage noted that the economy was in crisis and embarking on such types of strikes would destabilise the country even more. “Can’t they see the implication of this? This is absolutely irresponsible, with political motives behind it,” Duvenhage opined. Cosatu president Zingiswa Losi said the nationwide protest was not a joint strike with the SA Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu), as they had their own programme. Saftu has indicated it would also take part in a national shutdown against similar issues on the same day. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Faizel Patel at The Citizen. See too, Cosatu calls on South Africans to join nationwide strike against cost of living, at EWN. And also, Cosatu’s ‘irresponsible’ national strike could sink economy even deeper, on page 6 of The Citizen of 19 August 2022 Nupsaw to stage ‘unprecedented march’ in Pretoria on Tuesday IOL reports that members of the National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers (Nupsaw) are set to descend onto the streets of Pretoria on Tuesday in what they termed “an unprecedented march” over grievances including widespread corruption and poor governance. The Nupsaw protest in Pretoria will be a precursor to the SA Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) national shutdown scheduled for Wednesday. “The working-class community, led by Nupsaw, will occupy several government department offices and then wrap up the mass action with a night vigil at the Union Building,” said Nupsaw general secretary Solly Malema. He added: “The purpose of the demonstration is to reflect the broader societal concerns resulting from poor governance, austerity measures, corruption, Neo-liberal policies and many other government failures. These failures have resulted in the swelling cost of living, rolling electricity blackouts, sky-rocketing fuel prices and job losses amongst other issues.” According to Malema, the current socio-economic challenges in South Africa have now gone past crisis level. The march will start at the offices of the Minister of Health. From there, the marchers will proceed to the Department of Social Development. The Union Buildings will be the last stop for the day, where Nupsaw will hold a night vigil. “President Cyril Ramaphosa will be asked to come out in person to receive our memorandum of demands because his ministers in various departments have failed to lift a finger in addressing our long-standing concerns,” Malema indicated. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jonisayi Maromo at IOL. Lees ook, Nóg ʼn vakbond wil reusestaking onderneem, by Maroela Media
Two workers drown in Bryanston while connecting a water valve, bodies recovered IOL reports that two contractors drowned after they got into difficulty while connecting a large submerged water valve in the Bryanston area in Johannesburg on Friday. According to Shawn Herbst from Netcare 911, reports indicated that two male workers had fallen into a deep pit situated next to a river. “On arrival, it was found that the men were working on connecting a large submerged water valve when they got into difficulties and drowned. The on scene supervisor who witnessed the event jumped into the water to help rescue the workers and got into difficulties himself. The supervisor, however, just managed to save himself from drowning,” Herbst reported. City of Johannesburg Fire and Rescue Services, SAPS Water wing, SAPS Search and Rescue and the SAPS K9 Unit were on scene. “Emergency services set up pumps to help lower the water level. The search for the two men, both in their forties, was conducted by divers, who managed to locate the bodies some time later at approximately seven to 10 metres depth. Once brought to shore, both men were sadly declared deceased,” Herbst indicated. The circumstances leading to the incident will be investigated by the relevant authorities. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jolene Marriah-Maharaj at IOL. Lees ook, Mans wat aan waterklep werk verdrink, by Maroela Media Mpumalanga security guard who tried to fight off armed robbers shot, stabbed to death News24 reports that a security guard was shot dead on Saturday morning while trying to fight off armed robbers in the Coronation informal settlement near Emalahleni in Mpumalanga. According to police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, the 57-year-old guard and his colleague were on their way to work when they were attacked by three armed men. "It is alleged that one of the suspects was carrying a firearm and the second one was carrying a knife, whilst the third suspect started searching the victims and took their cellphones, as well as cash of R500 were stolen," said Mohlala. One of the guards tried to fight back, but was shot, and stabbed multiple times with a knife. Emergency services were summoned and the guard was certified dead on the scene. Police were investigating the robbery and murder, and no arrests have yet been made. Read the original of the report in the above regard by Lisalee Solomons at News24. Lees ook, Sekerheidswag doodgeskiet naby Witbank, by Maroela Media Extortion, deadly violence ‘could bring long-distance bus industry to its knees’ Sunday Times reports that bus passengers and drivers are putting their lives on the line as a deadly battle for lucrative long-distance routes intensifies. Bus operator Intercape has recorded more than 150 incidents of intimidation, stoning and shootings of buses since early 2021. Since last year, it has opened cases after 61 attacks on bus coaches and 14 on its offices, 20 shootings and 31 vehicle stonings. Driver Bangikhaya Machana was shot dead as he was driving a bus out of the company’s deport in Airport Industrial, Cape Town, in April. Just days after Machana’s death, three Intercape buses were attacked in Gauteng. Police Minister Bheki Cele admitted last week that the scourge was a national problem affecting several long-distance bus companies. Intercape CEO Johann Ferreira blames the taxi industry for the attacks and is now taking the Eastern Cape government to court, alleging that its former transport MEX sided with taxi bosses. The majority of incidents have happened in the Eastern Cape, the Western Cape and Gauteng. Some taxi associations have openly tried to control the routes, even dictating the fares to be charged by busses. Bafana Maghagula of the SA National Taxi Association (Santaco) condemned any form of violence. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Philani Nombembe on page 1 of Sunday Times of 21 August 2022 Other internet posting(s) in this news category
City of Tshwane suspends bus services due to ongoing strike EWN reports that the City of Tshwane has suspended its bus services due to an ongoing strike by workers affiliated with the SA Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu). This could leave Pretoria CBD residents stranded and they will have to find alternative transport. The union downed tools over several issues, including the bid for the questionable R26 billion tender to refurbish the Pretoria West and Rooiwal Power Stations as well as the non-payment of a 3.5% salary increase. The City's spokesperson Selby Bokaba said bus services were halted to ensure the safety of commuters and drivers. "We had to recall the buses that had gone out and resolve to stop those scheduled to go out. We would like to apologise to our bus commuters for the inconvenienced cost. We had to take this difficult and painful decision to protect our assets and the safety of our drivers as well as the safety of our commuters," said Bokaba. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Veronica Mokhoali at EWN
PSA to continue with its strike ballot until Friday after public sector pay talks remained deadlocked last week BL Premium reports that the Public Servants Association (PSA), which represents more than 235,000 public servants, is expected to continue with its strike ballot this week after talks between the government and public service unions failed to hammer out a pay hike deal on Friday. The PSA lodged a dispute at the Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) in July after rejecting the government’s 2% cost-of-living adjustment offer and a R1,000 after-tax cash gratuity, which the state argued equated to a combined 6.5%. The PSA’s Reuben Maleka said the union has obtained a “certificate of non-resolution and is ready to act upon the outcome of the ballot of its members and give the government seven days’ notice of strike action”. The balloting process is expected to end on Friday. The public service unions, including Cosatu affiliates, are now demanding a 6.5% increase, having revised their demands from the initial 10% they called for when negotiations started in May. Labour is said to have “unanimously rejected government’s proposed cost-containment measures” during talks at the bargaining council on Thursday. If the deadlock is not broken through dispute resolution processes, a strike certificate will be issued to the other public service unions, allowing them to embark on industrial action, which could bring government services to its knees and disrupt hospitals and schooling. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinessLive (subscriber access only) Independent intervener to facilitate deadlocked public sector wage talks EWN reports that public sector wage talks will now enter a process of facilitation by an independent intervener, after negotiations between the government and unions deadlocked on Thursday. Basil Manuel of the National Professional Teachers Organisation of SA (Naptosa) reported that organised labour declared a deadlock, after government brought consultative issues into the collective bargaining process. He explained that the mediation process would help parties determine how to separate the two issues that led to the dispute. “We believe and that is why we have not gone for another process, that there is room for talking and sorting this out, even if this is through a facilitator,” Manuel said. Government has proposed a 3% increase in wages, which is a figure that public servants are apparently not averse to. However, this would come with conditions that labour said it could not accept as they were government’s way of trying to recoup unbudgeted funds. Treasury has budgeted R25 billion for the wage increments. However, a 3% offer would see that amount climb by R6 billion. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Theto Mahlakoana at EWN
Nehawu members march in solidarity with eSwatini nationals TimesLive reports that members of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) in Gauteng and eSwatini nationals marched to the eSwatini consulate in Johannesburg on Thursday to protest against the kingdom's monarchy. Some of them held placards stating: “We demand democracy in Swaziland” as they broke out in song. Nehawu provincial secretary Mzikayise Tshontshi said they were marching to highlight the plight of the eSwatini people and hand over a memorandum after repeatedly being ignored by the eSwatini embassy. “They have ignored our calls for them to receive our memorandum. We don’t expect them to come but they know we are here,” said Tshontshi. He said they would read the memorandum to the group and leave it with security personnel at the gate. Tshontshi pointed out that political activities were not allowed in eSwatini and said the protestors were demanding the release of all political prisoners. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Phathu Luvhengo at TimesLive
ANC's failure to pay pension contributions potentially opens it up to massive fines, but convictions for noncompliance extremely rare Fin24 reports that according to a pension lawyer, the failure by the ANC to pay millions of rands in contributions into its employees' retirement fund has potentially opened up the party to massive fines. But convictions in similar cases, when police have launched investigations, are usually rare. According to the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA), the governing party has, since November 2018, failed to consistently pay contributions to the African National Congress Staff Provident Fund, leaving its 535 members with an R86-million hole in their pensions. Under SA's pension law, employers must pay contributions within seven days of the end of the month. But the ANC has gone as long as 18 months without paying contributions into the fund. Last week, the FSCA announced it had signed an enforceable undertaking with the fund to get the ANC to pay R10 million per month until its arrears were cleared. Such an undertaking does not compel the ANC to pay up – which it is already obliged to do. Rather, it is a document signed between the fund and the FSCA reiterating the fund's obligation to try to get the ANC to pay it. Lauren Salt of ENSafrica noted that under SA pension law, much of the onus was on pension funds themselves to ensure compliance. Breaching section 13A of the Pension Funds Act could lead to severe sanctions. But Salt cautioned that enforcing noncompliance with section 13A of the act was "notoriously difficult.” While the law was clear, Salt said that few cases made it to trial when pension funds lodged complaints with the police. She added that, in the unlikely event of an employer being found guilty of non-compliance, the most likely outcome would be a simple fine without imprisonment. The ANC Staff Provident Fund did not reply to a request for comment about whether it had lodged a complaint with the police or SA's pension funds administrator. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jan Cronje at Fin24 (subscriber access only)
Former Mpumalanga prosecutor sentenced to 10 years behind bars for corruption, defeating ends of justice News24 reports that the Standerton Magistrate's Court in Mpumalanga has sentenced its former district court control prosecutor Aaron Pule Mohanwe to 10 years in jail for accepting bribes. Mohanwe was charged with two counts of corruption and defeating the ends of justice. The 35-year-old prosecutor was reported for dismissing cases and accepting bribes to dismiss drug-related cases. Undercover agents set up sting operations and, on both occasions, he accepted the payments. Mpumalanga National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Monica Nyuswa advised that Mohanwe was sentenced to 10 years direct imprisonment for corruption, 10 years for another count of corruption and seven years for defeating the ends of justice. The sentences will run concurrently. Mohanwe will effectively serve 10 years behind bars. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Cebelihle Bhengu at News24. Lees ook, Aanklaer wat omkoopgeld aanvaar, gevonnis, by Maroela Media Eskom wants ‘dishonest’ ex-manager and two coal suppliers to pay back millions in ‘kickbacks’ City Press reports that Eskom has taken a former employee and two coal suppliers to court, saying they should repay money to the parastatal that was exchanged as kickbacks. The power utility, through the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), is demanding almost R3 million from its former manager Thulani Zulu, as well as companies Commodity Logistics Managers and Siba Grand Business Enterprises. “The defendants are liable to Eskom, jointly and severally, one paying and the other to be absolved, to pay over to Eskom the secret profits and unlawful benefits in these amounts,” reads the statement of the SIU filed on behalf of Eskom. According to the statement, which includes a breakdown of deposits made into Zulu’s bank account by the two companies, the total amount stands at R2,789,200. “The payments constituted secret profits received by Zulu as an employee of Eskom. The payments constituted kickbacks, gratuities, corruption, bribes, inducements and/or other benefits,” reads the documents filed before the SIU tribunal hearing. “Zulu acted in a manner involving a serious conflict between his own interests and Eskom’s business and financial interests,” the documents indicate. The payments were made to Zulu during 2016, when he was employed as a middle manager within the power utility’s coal supply unit, and the two companies had substantial business dealings with Eskom as coal suppliers. When the SIU began probing contracts at Eskom, Zulu resigned on 30 June last year. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Abram Mashego at City Press (subscriber access only)
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