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 roundup of weekend news, see
summaries of our selection of South African
labour-related stories that appeared since
Friday, 16 September 2022.
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Eskom admits that it lacks the skills to resolve the load shedding crisis, but wants South Africans to pay 30% more for electricity City Press writes that while SA is once again dangerously close to the abyss of a total electricity network collapse, Eskom management must make its way through murky political waters in an attempt to appoint experts who know how to restore and manage power stations. Of the list of 300 “best of the best” experts that trade union Solidarity handed over to Eskom early last month – people who are all prepared to start working immediately to tackle the problems – only 18 have been appointed. At the behest of his political bosses for the process to be more inclusive, Eskom CEO André de Ruyter must now launch a crowdsourcing platform to recruit the engineers, atomic physicists, plant operators and senior craftsmen needed to keep the lights on. De Ruyter has to tread a thin political line to get anything done, Solidarity’s Dirk Hermann commented on Saturday. Only a few days earlier, Eskom’s chief operating officer, Jan Oberholzer, admitted that his staff and contractors did not have the necessary skills to repair the ailing power stations to ensure a stable power supply. According to Oberholzer, the repairs Eskom was carrying out on the power stations were ineffective and the units would soon break down again. In 2019 for the first time, Solidarity gave Eskom a list of 480 former employees with the right skills to help it. The list was further refined to 300, but, to date, only 6% of those professionals have been appointed and are making a difference. In addition to renewed load shedding, last week the country also had to stomach the struggling power utility’s request to raise tariffs by almost one-third next year. For 2024, it is asking for a further increase of 10%. Energy regulator Nersa will be holding public hearings on Eskom’s tariff application this week and must finalise its decision on the matter by 24 December. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Antoinette Slabbert at City Press (subscriber access only) Eskom invites skilled persons to participate in crowdsourcing platform Engineering News reports that state-owned power utility Eskom is developing a crowdsourcing digital platform to allow it to supplement its existing skills base to help address its operational challenges. It has invited organisations and individuals, including experienced engineers and technical experts, to participate. The platform will act as a skills database for Eskom to acquire additional expertise and to resolve its urgent business needs. Skills that are needed include mechanical, nuclear, electrical, system and maintenance skills, as well as senior artisans and plant operators for coal and nuclear power stations. Skilled individuals interested in assisting Eskom will be able to register on the digital platform once it is developed. In the meantime, they are being asked to contact Eskom human resources executive Elsie Pule at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Eskom CE André de Ruyter indicated: “Eskom looks forward to collaborating with South African citizens to address the current electricity supply challenges facing the country. A diverse cross-section of South Africans have sent enquiries and made themselves available to respond to the call to national service. Eskom is in the process of matching the skills that have already been made available to its needs and will be recruiting the suitable candidates imminently”. The crowdsourcing initiative will also leverage partnerships with statutory and non-statutory bodies, such as the Engineering Council of SA and others, to ensure Eskom is able to access the best candidates in the electricity supply industry, engineering and technical professions. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Engineering News. See too, Utility will recruit skilled people through digital platform, on page 7 of Saturday Citizen of 17 September 2022. En ook, Eskom werf binnekort aanlyn, by Maroela Media
Five SANDF members killed on Saturday in Mpumalanga in collision with tree TimesLive reports that five members of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) were killed when their vehicle collided with a tree on Saturday in Mpumalanga. Spokesperson Brig-Gen Andries Mokoena Mahapa said the military was saddened by the loss of the members who were part of 9 SA Infantry Battalion (9 SAI BN) deployed under Operation CORONA (border safeguarding) in the province. “The members were travelling from Zonstral to Macadamia Operational Base along the Coopersdal Road when their vehicle lost control after the front tyre burst and collided with a tree,” he reported. Mahapa advised that all five occupants were declared dead on the scene. Their next of kin have been informed and an investigation into the crash is under way. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Phathu Luvhengo at TimesLive Two Western Cape EMS officials killed in ambulance crash with truck in Worcester on Sunday Cape Argus reports that the Western Cape Government Health is mourning the death of two of its Emergency Medical Services (EMS) officials, who died in a vehicle crash on Wolseley Road in Worcester. According to police, the accident occurred at about 6.50am on Sunday when the ambulance the EMS officials were travelling in collided with a truck. Police spokesperson Andre Traut stated: “Initial reports of the incident indicate that an ambulance collided head-on with a truck. Both ambulance occupants succumbed to death, while the truck driver was being treated for his injuries. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a culpable homicide vehicle accident.” The ambulance the officials were travelling in was not carrying any patients at the time of the crash. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nomalanga Tshuma at Cape Argus. Lees ook, Paramedici sterf in Ceres-ongeluk, by Maroela Media Gauteng emergency service crew robbed while waiting for police escort News24 reports that another Gauteng Emergency Medical Services (EMS) crew has been attacked, sparking an urgent call for communities to protect these vital teams. Known as the "Green Angels", the crew was robbed of belongings at gunpoint while waiting for their escort to the Angelo shack settlement in Boksburg, east of Johannesburg. "The department condemns the continuing senseless attacks on EMS personnel. These incidents do not only put lives of the Green Angels in danger but make it difficult for them to provide emergency medical services to those who desperately need it," the Gauteng Department of Health stated. There have already been 11 such incidents in 2022. Staff have been subjected to attempted sexual assault, hijacking, and running the gauntlet of their ambulance being stoned as they drove to emergencies. Crews have been robbed at gunpoint of cellphones, wallets, and bags. Gauteng MEC for Health Nomathemba Mokgethi called for community members to give the police information that would help their investigations into these attacks. Read the original of the report in the above regard by Jenni Evans at News24. Read too, Gauteng health condemns attacks on emergency medical service staff, at TimesLive Intercape takes taxi ‘terrorism’ to court Sunday Times reports that long-distance bus operator Intercape heads to the high court this week, seeking an order compelling the national transport minister and Eastern Cape Transport MEC to do their jobs. The bus operator wants them to take action to stamp out what it says is seven years of “terrorism” at the hands of taxi associations engaged in a route war. CEO Johann Ferreira, in his application before the Makhanda High Court, said his buses had been the target of hundreds of acts of violence or intimidation. Buses had been stoned and shot at, resulting in several employees and passengers being injured and one driver killed. This was because he had refused to give in to demands by taxi associations that the company increase its ticket prices, limit the number of buses operating on each route, alter departure times “to appease them”, or give them money. “It has become increasingly clear that the individuals behind these acts form part of a large and sophisticated, organised crime syndicate, capable of harvesting intelligence and co-ordinating attacks,” Ferriera claimed. While the police had been helpful, the minister, Fikile Mbalula, and the former MEC Weziwe Tikana-Gxothiwe — who was axed in a reshuffle last month — had allegedly “sat on their hands” and “played dead” in spite of repeated written pleas for help. Since early last year, Intercape has recorded more than 150 cases of violence and intimidation aimed at the company and its staff, including 20 shootings and 31 vehicle stonings. The matter has been set down for argument on Monday. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tania Broughton at Sunday Times (subscriber access only). Read too, Mbalula tables proposals to stop attacks on public transport industry, at Weekend Argus Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Popcru members to march to Union Buildings on Tuesday over dissatisfaction with government’s 3% final wage offer BL Premium reports that the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru), representing 160,000 police, corrections and traffic officials, is to march to the Union Buildings on Tuesday to submit a list of demands to President Cyril Ramaphosa in response to the government’s final pay rise offer. The government tabled a final 3% offer at the Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) on 30 August, but according to Popcru spokesperson Richard Mamabolo, union members have rejected the offer as they want an inflation-beating increase. Public service unions were given 21 days to seek a mandate from their members on the 3% offer, which includes a R1,000 after-tax cash gratuity payable to all the more than 1.3-million public servants until March 2023. The unions initially demanded a 10% increase when talks began in May, but trimmed the figure down to 6.5% in an effort to reach a pay deal without having to strike. Mamabolo said the union “fervently rejected” the 3% offer as workers have had no increases since 2020. Nehawu’s December Mavuso said about the offer: “We are finalising our mandating process.” Sadtu’s Mugwena Maluleke indicated: “We are going back to the bargaining council on September 23. We will know then how many of our members have accepted or rejected the revised offer.” Reuben Maleka of the Public Servants Association commented: “We are waiting for the final audit of our mandating process. We will know by Monday how many members are in support of the 3% and how many are rejecting it. We have until September 28 to pronounce our formal position at the PSCBC.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinessLive
NUM calls for strong action against those responsible for Jagersfontein dam disaster EWN reports that the National Union of Metalworkers (NUM) says while mine company bosses have already publicly accepted responsibility for the Jagersfontein dam disaster, there should be strong action taken against those responsible. A wall of the dam burst on 11 September and houses and vehicles were swept away in the small Free State mining town. One person died while over 300 have been displaced. The union said the Jagersfontein dam disaster was a reminder of the Merriespruit tailings dam disaster in Virginia in the Free State 28 years ago when 17 people died. According to the NUM, the lack of accountability within the mining sector was a major continuing problem in SA. "What we have realised is that most mining companies they are here in the country ... doing their profit at the expense of many lives, so we are calling for those who are responsible to be fully accountable and to be charged criminally," said spokesperson Luphert Chilwane. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Alpha Ramushwana & Dominic Majola at EWN. Read too, Residents blame billionaire Johann Rupert for Jagersfontein disaster, at Sunday Independent. And also, Jagersfontein mine slimes dam disaster was preventable, says water expert, at Mail & Guardian (subscriber access only) All-out zama zama turf war erupts in Joburg, with mutilated bodies in Maraisburg linked to displacement of Krugersdorp group Sunday Times reports that a bloody turf war among illegal miners in Maraisburg, western Johannesburg, where 10 bodies were found last week, is directly linked to the displacement of the gang believed to be behind the Krugersdorp mass rapes. Apparently, illegal miners who operated in the Krugersdorp area until the gang rape have sought refuge in other parts of Gauteng, where they have been muscling their way on to the territories of rival illegal mining groups. On Wednesday, communities around Maraisburg awoke to the gruesome discovery of seven mutilated bodies along the N1 highway. Two days later the bodies of three illegal miners with gunshot wounds were found in the same area. According to Dikgang Molefenyane, an illegal miner who was on the scene during the attack, their group, Terene ea Chakela, was attacked by members of the rival Seakhi group. According to Molefenyane, the Chakela group had been operating in abandoned mines along Main Reef Road for more than five years. On Tuesday night, they were accosted by a group of more than 100 Seakhi members. This group originally conducted their operations in Krugersdorp. The two groups, both with their roots in Mafeteng, Lesotho, have been caught up in a cycle of killings and revenge killings since 2010. Another zama zama, Kabelo Kibinye, said the group that attacked them came from Zamimpilo informal settlement, where illegal miners from Krugersdorp were given refuge after police swooped on the area after the gang rapes in July when eight women were attacked by scores of men. Kibinye said the huge influx of illegal miners from the West Rand had created problems for them. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tankiso Makhetha at Sunday Times (subscriber access only). Read too, Cracking down on zama zamas is pointless - they are victims too, at Fin24 (subscriber access only)
Tourism industry revises downwards its target of 21m international tourists and 2m jobs by 2030 Business Report writes that SA’s tourism industry has revised downwards its annual target for 21 million international tourist arrivals and 2 million jobs in the country by 2030. This was indicated by Tourism Business Council SA (TBCSA) chief executive Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa last week. In 2018, the tourism industry presented a growth strategy setting ambitious milestones to attract at least 21 million visitors and create two million additional jobs by 2030. However, Tshivhengwa said that the landscape had since changed because of the Covid-19 pandemic and the difficult two-and-a-half years that the industry had gone through. Tshivhengwa indicated: “As I have said, we are not going to reach 21 million tourists by 2030, but we must and we cannot fail to reach 15.6 million tourists by 2030. And more importantly than anything else, we will be able to add about 800,000 to 900,000 youth employment within South Africa. But overall jobs will be around 1.3 million that we are going to add if we reach the 15.6 million travellers. We all agree between ourselves as a private sector and South African tourism, that this is the new target. Only by 2035 we believe we can reach 20 million, but there are certain things that need to happen right.” Tourism, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council directly contributed 3.2% in 2021 to SA’s GDP, more than agriculture, utilities and construction. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Siphelele Dludla at Business Report Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Top earners and graduates losing faith in SA, mulling emigration Business Times reports that as emigration by skilled South Africans rises, experts in the auditing and insurance sectors have warned that this will weaken the country’s skills base and reduce the pool of wealthy individuals, whose spending on goods and services supports many businesses. Highly skilled and high net worth South Africans, including top executives of listed companies, are leaving the country for better-paying jobs and better lifestyle prospects as confidence in SA’s future declines. A survey released last week indicates that graduates are also planning on building a life elsewhere. The Social Research Foundation (SRF) reported that, based on a survey, about half of SA’s top earners and university graduates were considering emigration as people lost faith in the country’s future. According to the findings, out of 3,204 registered voters surveyed by the research group in July, 53% of university graduates and 43% of those who earned more than R20,000 a month might leave the country. Overall, 23% of those surveyed said they might look to live in another country. The number of those considering emigration “rises with social and economic status. People between the ages of 25 and 40 are the most likely age groups to be considering emigration,” the SRF noted. Imre Nagy, CEO of the Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors, commented: “We’ve seen a sharp uptick in emigration. We’re closely monitoring this because it could mean we’re losing the next generation of auditors to other countries. Socioeconomic factors such as lack of safety and uncertainty about SA’s future are pushing them to look elsewhere.” Momentum Metropolitan CEO Hillie Meyer said that emigration had become one of his biggest worries as the loss of wealthy citizens and skilled professionals was putting pressure on an insurance and investment industry faced with a shrinking savings pool. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Thabiso Mochiko at Business Times (subscriber access only). Read too, Brain drain of skilled auditors could ‘kill profession’, at Business Times (subscriber access only)
Cogta to enquire about blacklisting of companies that paid “ghost workers” in community work programme Cape Times reports that the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) is to approach the National Treasury to inquire about blacklisting 17 companies that paid “ghost workers” in its Expanded Works Programme. In June, Cogta Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma revealed in a response to parliamentary question that her department had identified that some implementing agents had made payments of R2.4 million to 909 deceased people participating in the Community Work Programme. In the wake of her revelation, DA MP Rochelle Spies then wrote to Dlamini Zuma asking the names of the implementing agents and the steps her department had taken to place them on the National Treasury’s database of restricted suppliers. In her response, Dlamini Zuma said the number of the deceased participants paid had since been reduced to 705 as the evidence received from the implementing agents during the verification process “indicated that 204 participants were eligible for payment in that they were paid for work done before they passed on.” Dlamini Zuma said her department had not placed any of the implementing agents on the National Treasury database of restricted suppliers, but the payments to deceased participants were deducted from the project management fees due to implementing agents and so there was no loss to the department. “The department will approach the National Treasury to determine whether this meets the criteria for listing on the register of restricted suppliers,” Dlamini Zuma advised. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mayibongwe Maqhina at Cape Times
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