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 Tuesday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South African
labour-related reports.
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90% of disabled people in SA are unemployed and struggle with basics such as transport, healthcare and education The Citizen writes that there was little to celebrate on International Day of Persons with Disabilities on Saturday as 90% of disabled people in SA are unemployed and the disabled struggle with basics such as transport, healthcare and education. More had to be done to include disabled people in mainstream society and socioeconomic activities, the Lubner Family Foundation asserted. The foundation’s chair, Marc Lubner, started the Smile Foundation in 2006 and said by helping the youth seize their future, people ensured the country had a future. Lubner said the exclusion of disabled people happened in two ways: those excluded because of poverty and those excluded because services specific to their needs did not exist or were inadequate. “It was found children living with disabilities in South Africa often face poverty, isolation and discrimination in their communities. They also struggle to access basic services such as education, especially in remote or poverty-stricken areas where state systems don’t appear to prioritise them,” he pointed out. Disability Connect‘s Chris Buchanan said the biggest challenges facing differently abled people were acceptance, accessibility and opportunities in the workplace. “About 90% of people with disabilities eligible for work are unemployed. Corporates are beginning to embrace the Employment Equity Act as it refers to disabilities and introduces more differently abled people into the work environment,” he stated. But many office buildings were inaccessible – and co-workers are often discriminatory toward people with disabilities, Buchanan said. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Marizka Coetzer at The Citizen (subscriber access only)
Intercape bus driver wounded in yet another shooting, drives himself to safety News24 reports that an Intercape bus driver was wounded in a shooting on the N2 in Cape Town over the weekend during ongoing violence targeted at the long-haul coach industry. The driver was injured when a gunman opened fire on the Intercape bus on Saturday while he was on his way to load passengers at the long-distance bus terminus in the CBD. Two other people who were on the bus at the time were not injured. The incident took place at around 17:00, close to Borcherds Quarry Road. Police spokesperson Colonel Andrè Traut reported: "He (the driver) managed to drive the bus to Cape Town, where he was treated for his injury. The circumstances surrounding the attempted murder are under investigation and arrests are yet to be made." News24 previously reported that the company had experienced more than 80 attacks this year. Around 50 attacks were recorded last year. One of those attacks proved to be fatal. In August, Western Cape Premier Alan Winde wrote to President Cyril Ramaphosa to request an urgent meeting and coordinated intervention at a national level to combat extortion and racketeering in the public transport sector. The matter has since been referred to the minister in the security cluster. Winde said he was waiting for action to be taken. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nicole McCain at News24. Lees ook, Nog ’n Intercape-busbestuurder geskiet, by Maroela Media Alleged house robber shot after attack at off-duty Limpopo cop's home News24 reports that an alleged armed robber, part of a gang of three who held-up an off-duty police sergeant and his wife in their Limpopo house, was found bleeding near the scene after the officer managed to shoot him despite being injured himself. The Mutale sergeant came under attack by the three armed men who stormed his house in Lukau Tshishive village early on Sunday morning while he was asleep with his wife. The robbers made off with bank cards and clothes. One armed attacker shot the sergeant in the shoulder while the other two took his wife and dumped her in a nearby bush. The sergeant managed to crawl to get his service pistol and retaliated by shooting the attacker who had shot him. The injured suspect fled the officer's house and jumped over the fence. "The police searched the nearby bushes and found a man with wounds, believed to be the suspect who was shot in the sergeant's house. The wounded man was reportedly in possession of the goods stolen from the police sergeant's house," said police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba. The suspect will appear at the Mutale Magistrate's Court on charges of attempted murder and house robbery. Read the original of the report in the above regard by Cebelihle Bhengu at News24. Lees ook, Polisiesersant skiet terug toe rowers toeslaan, by Maroela Media Covid sets off an epidemic of heart disease and cancer BL Premium reports that Discovery Employee Benefits (DEB) has seen a huge spike in cardiometabolic and cancer claims since the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic, with long Covid playing a role. Claims data released by DEB, which insures more than half-a-million individuals through its group risk benefits, show that claims for cardiometabolic conditions more than tripled since 2020, with a 200% increase in claims over the past year. Cardiometabolic disorders relate to several interrelated risk factors, including hypertension, elevated blood sugar, abdominal obesity and triglycerides. The data also show that there was a dramatic surge in death claims resulting from cancer compared with prepandemic levels. Cancer deaths increased from just two a month recorded by group risk in 2018, to six a month in 2022. Guy Chennells, head of product at DEB, indicated that the key drivers, all due to Covid-19, of the spike in claims were long Covid; a marked decline in individuals conducting annual health checks and screenings; and a reduction in regular exercise. International data suggest that long Covid increases the risk of heart attacks and stroke disease because of the heightened risk of blood-clotting conditions, he indicated. Data show that generalised health checks declined as much as 50% during Covid-19 from screening levels in 2019. Furthermore, exercise levels dropped 12% during Covid-19. “Encouragingly, though, the exercise rates seem to be almost back to levels seen prepandemic,” said Chennells. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Garth Theunissen at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
'I love this job, but it’s draining', says SAPS officer speaking out about lack of resources, support News24 reports that SA Police Service (SAPS) officers say they are struggling to fight crime with the limited resources at their disposal and some are discouraged by the state of the service. A Gauteng police officer indicated: “I love this job, but it’s putting too much pressure on us. We first have to fight to work and then go out there and fight the war. It’s draining.” The officer said they worked long hours, even weekends, without remuneration. Instead, they received a day off. The officer was speaking following the release of the Solidarity Research Institute's "SAPS report". To compile the report, the institute shared an electronic questionnaire with 400 officers in the SAPS detective service. The report revealed that there were serious vehicle and equipment shortages and that the officers worked in dreadful, untidy, and unhygienic conditions. Some had to take turns using computers and telephones, and at certain police stations, one printer was shared by everyone who worked there – often as many as 30 members. Respondents also reported that up to four detectives had to share a 15-year-old computer that did not even have internet access. There were even stations that didn't have essential forensic equipment such as gloves, fingerprint powder, and swabs used for DNA samples. According to the Solidarity report, staff shortages meant that some detective sections had a minimum of 120 outstanding cases per member, and some had 200 open dockets to investigate. One respondent had 500 outstanding dockets to investigate without any colleagues to assist. “The only support we get is that we are subjected to disciplinary action if we complain about workload," a respondent revealed. Almost a quarter of respondents said they were discouraged entirely, and 37% were frustrated most of the time. Only 11% of respondents said they were highly motivated to perform their daily tasks. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Iavan Pijoos at News24 (subscriber access only) Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Sonke Gender Justice pleased with progress of decriminalising sex work IOL reports that human rights advocacy group Sonke Gender Justice (SGJ) says it is pleased with progress on calls for the decriminalisation of sex work in the country. This was expressed after the Cabinet announced plans to pass and publish a bill decriminalising the acquisition and sale of adult sex work for public feedback. The Bill will seek to revoke the Sexual Offences Act and Section 11 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act. SGJ specialist on sex worker rights, Jayne Arnott, said that after decades of fighting and advocating for the rights of sex workers in the country, they welcomed the proposed amendments. “We are happy to know that the bill is coming out and what it is proposing because it is a full decriminalisation of the sex work industry,” she said. Arnott pointed out that if sex work was legalised, sex workers would benefit from the protection provided by labour laws and health and safety guidelines, and police services could be approached by sex workers without concern for arrest. “This bill could also help reduce forced sex work and human trafficking as sex workers would be safe to work with police to prevent these situations, and that would be a huge change,” she noted. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sibuliso Duba at IOL
Sibanye-Stillwater: Some of government’s transformation policies turning investors off EWN reports that mining giant Sibanye-Stillwater says that some of government's transformation policies remain a sore point for the industry. According to the multinational company, the government’s controversial BEE policy and threats of land expropriation without compensation continue to push investors out the door. A poor policy environment, power cuts and labour disputes were among factors that contributed to a recent drop in the group's share price. Mining production in the country dropped by 4.5% year-on-year in September, making it the eighth consecutive drop, with the largest negative contributors being iron ore and gold. Spokesperson for Sibanye-Stillwater, James Wellsted, said that while the industry had bounced back since the pandemic, there were still factors that continued to hamper growth. "The regulatory and policy environment, unemployment, crime, social unrest, militant labour unions do make it quite challenging," he pointed out. While the industry has often been at loggerheads with workers over wages and working conditions, Wellsted said that the relationship with labour had improved. "I would say we've got quite a good relationship with the unions on the ground," Wellsted opined. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nokukhanya Mntambo at EWN Disgruntled investors in Arnot OpCo coal mine take fight with Salungano over funding to arbitration BL Premium reports that disgruntled shareholders in Arnot OpCo coal mine have launched arbitration proceedings against JSE-listed Salungano after accusing the junior coal producer of not honouring its funding obligations. Arnot InvestCo and Salungano (formerly Wescoal) each own 50% of a coal mine in Mpumalanga but their partnership ran into problems after the mine, which supplies coal to one of Eskom’s power stations, was placed into business rescue in early October due to a cash crunch. It is Arnot InvestCo’s argument that Salungano is in breach of the shareholder agreement by not providing funding to the mine and therefore wants to exit the partnership. In a matter that was scheduled for hearing on Monday, disgruntled investors wanted the arbitrator to direct Salungano to transfer its shares in Arnot OpCo to Arnot InvestCo in accordance with the existing shareholder agreement. They also wanted a fair market value of Salungano shares in Arnot OpCo to be determined by an independent party to effect the transfer of shares. Operations at the mine continue as usual, including the supply of coal to Eskom’s Arnot power station. The mine was established by a group of mineworkers who formed Arnot InvestCo using their retrenchment packages. The Arnot mine was previously owned by Exxaro Resources. It was decommissioned and its workers retrenched in 2015 when a previous coal supply agreement with Eskom was not renewed. In 2019, when Eskom issued a tender for coal supply to the Arnot power station, Arnot OpCo submitted a proposal with a view to revive Arnot colliery. It took over the operation in February 2020 on winning the Eskom contract to reopen and operate the mine. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Andries Mahlangu at BusinessLive (subscriber access only) Other general posting(s) relating to mining
North West councillor ‘vindicated’ after court declares municipal manager’s appointment unlawful The Citizen reports that the recent secondment of Joseph Mogale as acting municipal manager of the Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality (RMLM) in Zeerust has been set aside by Mahikeng High Court in North West. This came after a member of RMLM council from Forum For Democrats (FFD), Thabiso Morebantwa, took the cash-strapped municipality to court alleging that the processes to second Mogale had been flawed. The ruling was released on Monday. The court ordered that the secondment/appointment be set aside and that the respondents should pay the costs of the application. Morebantwa said that he and his party felt vindicated following their victorious court outcome and added: “We do not care if the municipal manager hails from around our municipality or outside, we are more concerned with the application of the Constitution. We need the Constitution to be used and then a competent person be appointed, that’s all.” According to Morebantwa, the decisions that were made under Mogale would also need to be challenged in the court, and be set aside too. When approached for a comment, the RMLM mayor Dina Pitso said that she was giving the matter attention and it would be addressed in due course. Mogale had been the municipal manager of the controversial Kgetlengrivier local municipality. In his former position, he had been forced by the court to provide residents with drinkable water. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at The Citizen
Top academic Prof Simon Nemutandani in bitter dispute with Wits University over promise of contract renewal News24 reports that a top academic has taken his fight with Wits University to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA). Professor Simon Nemutandani, the former CEO and head of school at Wits University's School of Oral Health Sciences, is contesting the non-renewal of his contract. According to Nemutandani, who is also the president of the Health Professions Council of SA (HPCSA), he applied for a renewal of the contract in December 2020, which was due to end in August 2021. He said the health department approved his contract renewal on condition that Wits supported it. Apparently, he met with the dean of health sciences, Professor Shabir Madhi, in June 2021. Nemutandani said Madhi told him he would approve the reappointment when the head of human resources returned from leave. At the same meeting, Nemutandani informed Madhi that he had received a job offer from another university, but said he was encouraged not to accept it and stay at Wits. After that meeting, Nemutandani claimed Madhi informed him that some staff members threatened to resign if he was reappointed. They accused Nemutandani of being "tribal". He was later told that the university did not support his reappointment, which was when he approached the CCMA. "The allegations made by Prof Simon Nemutandani are denied," said Wits university spokesperson Shirona Patel. She indicated that the university would present its case to the CCMA. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tebogo Monama at News24
DA demands Gauteng health department blacklists companies linked to Tembisa Hospital corruption News24 reports that the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng has criticised the provincial health department for not blacklisting companies implicated in corruption tenders at Tembisa Hospital. DA health spokesperson Jack Bloom said it was wrong for the department not to blacklist 12 companies that received R381 million in contracts from Gauteng hospitals over the last three years. But, during answers in the Gauteng legislature, Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko said: "A company can only be prevented from doing business with the department if the matter has been investigated and if the investigation report recommend that the company must be prevented from doing business with the department." It was previously reported that the companies were linked to Hangwani Morgan Maumela – a family member of President Cyril Ramaphosa – and his relative Aluwani Titus Maumela. A purchase order report showed that Tembisa Hospital ordered 50 flat-bottomed round bowls at a cost of R496,555 in May 2020 from Sunshine Gauteng Trading, registered under Aluwani. In September 2021, Tembisa Hospital ordered 50 stainless steel kidney dishes at R456,960 from Major Goods Suppliers, registered under Hangwani. Nkomo-Ralehoko previously told the legislature that the companies did not have SA Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra) approval to sell medical products. Sahpra has since announced it was investigating "a breach of the Medicines and Related Substances Act". Some of the contracts the 12 companies won were identified as "possibly fraudulent" by murdered whistleblower Babita Deokaran. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tebogo Monama at News24
Pretoria train stations brought back to life after years of closure GroundUp reports that according to Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa), it has spent a total of R40.4-million to fix up the stations in Pretoria and rehabilitate the rail infrastructure. Some 400 Prasa stations were vandalised during the Covid lockdown. In August 2021, GroundUp reported on the dilapidated state of train stations in Pretoria. At the time, Prasa said trains on the Pretoria-Pienaarspoort line would be functional by the end of March 2022 and that stations would be refurbished by December 2022. Prasa has indeed made some progress. A number of stations, including Pienaarspoort, Mears, Rissik, Walker, Loftus, Hartbeesspruit and Mamelodi, have been repaired and renovated, and are operational. When the Pretoria-Pienaarspoort line resumed services early this year, after being closed since lockdown in 2020, trains were not stopping at Mears, Rissik, Walker, Loftus and Devenish stations because these had been so badly vandalised. Trains also only ran twice a day. Now trains appear to be operating hourly and stopping at these stations once again. Prasa spokesperson Andiswa Makanda said the Pretoria-Pienaarspoort line has on average over 16,000 commuters per day and over 82,000 per week. She noted that that the line “is one of our busiest lines, with numbers running in the thousands during high-peak hours”. According to Makanda, Prasa has beefed-up security at stations to ensure that there is no more vandalism. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ezekiel Kekana at GroundUp
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