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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Saccawu suspends plan to strike at Massmart group companies to give arbitration at Makro a chance Fin24 reports that the SA Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers’ Union (Saccawu) has opted to suspend plans to strike at all of Massmart Group's companies over a dispute at Makro, and will attempt to seek an arbitrated solution instead. Saccawu had said last week that it would get members at five other Massmart companies to hold sympathy protests as workers at Makro continued their campaign for major wage increases. But instead of a 15,000-strong protest at Game, Builders Warehouse, Rhino, Fruitspot, Shield and Jumbo, the union has joined Makro at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration (CCMA) to seek a negotiated solution to the wage impasse. Among other things, the union is demanding an across-the-board increase of R900 or 12%, whichever is the greater, a minimum wage of R8,000, an increase to the commission on sales of 20%, and a moratorium on retrenchments. Saccawu spokesperson Sithembele Tshwete advised that the union and Makro would be spending much of this week in an arbitration process at the CCMA, rather than going ahead immediately with the planned action. Massmart’s Brian Leroni indicated that the company and Saccawu would hold a follow-up meeting at the CCMA on Tuesday afternoon. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Khulekani Magubane at Fin24
Two security officers shot dead at Mossel Bay garbage transfer site IOL reports that two security guards were shot in the head and killed on Monday morning at the Loerie Fourie Road garbage transfer site near Kwanonqaba in Mossel Bay, Western Cape. According to The South African, the victims – believed to have been on guard duty at the location the previous evening – were discovered on Monday before 5am. The two security officers, both 28 years old, were discovered outside the guard station with gunshot wounds to the head. Police spokesperson Sergeant Christopher Spies said crime scene investigators searched the area for clues but the cause of the murder was still unknown. “The suspects are still at large and a search for those responsible for the incident is under way,” Spies indicated. Meanwhile, the Mossel Bay Municipality confirmed that the transfer station was reopened to the public on Tuesday morning. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sibuliso Duba at IOL Popcru concerned about dangerous conditions in Eastern Cape prisons, saying guards are ‘at the mercy of prisoners' Mail & Guardian reports that according to the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru), prisoners are in control of prisons in SA, and its members are at the mercy of prisoners. The union has urged the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) to hire more guards and build more prisons in the Eastern Cape to address overcrowding. Popcru blamed the increasing spate of attacks against warders on staff shortages and overcrowding at Eastern Cape prisons. Two inmates stabbed three guards inside St Albans prison last Wednesday, and a week earlier a guard was stabbed in the eye at the same facility. Last week's attack, during which the two inmates used sharpened metal objects to stab the warders, is believed to be an attempt to avenge the death of a 28s gang member who was killed during clashes with guards at the facility in September 2019. Popcru pointed out that no new prisons had been built by the ANC government since it took over the country in 1994, and this contributed to overcrowding. Combined, the Eastern Cape’s 45 prisons' overcrowding figures stood at 170.39%, while there was an 8.13% vacancy rate for guards. According to Popcru’s Xolani Prusente, there were 21,145 inmates in the province's prisons and only 5,121 DCS personnel watching over them. Prusente added that only 60% of the workforce were guards trained to deal with prisoners, while 40% were support staff who worked in offices. The 60% prison guard complement consisted of 40% women, meaning that most females were working in prisons housing male inmates. DCS spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said that currently, the department had 1,008 learners at its colleges who would be deployed for experiential learning from 22 December 2022. They will be replaced by another group of 1,032 learners early in 2023. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Malibongwe Dayimani at Mail & Guardian (subscriber access only) Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Gold Fields CEO Chris Griffith steps down as he takes the blame for failed Yamana deal BL Premium reports that Gold Fields CEO Chris Griffith has taken the blame for the failed deal to buy Yamana Gold, a rival in Canada, and will step down at the end of December. “The board and I agree that the company’s strategy, including growing the value and quality of the portfolio, continues to be the right one, but we also felt that the Yamana setback should not be allowed to impede the company’s strategy. So, as CEO I felt that I should take responsibility and allow the company to move forward under new leadership unencumbered by the Yamana transaction,” Griffith said in a statement issued by the gold producer. Yamana Gold accepted a rival offer from Agnico Eagle and Pan American in November. Thanking Griffith for his commitment and dedication, company chairperson Yunus Suleman said ““We were all disappointed that the Yamana deal did not go through, as we felt it was a compelling deal which would have created a strong company and created value for all our shareholders.” Martin Preece, executive vice-president for SA, will become the interim CEO. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nico Gous at BusinessLive (subscriber access only) Chris Griffith fell on his sword “to allow company to move forward”, says Gold Fields chairman Miningmx reports that according to Gold Fields chairman Yunus Suleman, it was CEO Chris Griffith’s decision to leave the gold producer rather than a fallout or a major bust up with the board. Suleman added that Gold Fields’ strategy of finding a replacement deal for its failed bid for Yamana Gold in November remained intact, even though it might take up to 12 months to appoint a new, full-time CEO. “We agreed the Yamana setback should not be allowed to impede the company’s strategy so as CEO Chris felt he should take responsibility and allow the company to move forward under new leadership unencumbered by the Yamana transaction,” Suleman explained. He advised that headhunters had been engaged to find a new CEO and that the board would also consider internal candidates. Interim CEO, Martin Preece, who is currently running Gold Fields’ South Deep mine, indicated in response to a media question that he would “take the weekend” to decide whether he wanted to apply for the job full time. Asked if the company, having lost up to two-thirds of its executive team in the last three months, was vulnerable to a hostile takeover, Suleman said he did not think so. Gold Fields’ executive team has been hollowed out. In addition to the departure of Griffith, the firm’s top legal executive, its head of strategy, and its head of corporate affairs have all announced decisions to leave the company by April. Suleman said those executive positions were expected to be filled by April. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by David McKay at Miningmx Optimum Coal Mine ‘depends on mini-pit contractors’, business rescue practitioners assert BusinessLive reports that the business rescue practitioners (BRPs) of Optimum Coal Mine (OCM) have defended the use of mini-pit contractors, whom they say provide a lifeline for the operation. The view is contained in court papers filed this week in support of their case to have preservation orders over the assets of the mine suspended pending an appeal. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), which was granted the preservation orders, is opposing the application. The NPA obtained the preservation orders on the grounds that the mine was obtained unlawfully by the Guptas in the course of their business dealings with the administration of former President Jacob Zuma. The NPA wants the mine forfeited to the state so that it can be sold at market value. In a presentation to MPs on Monday, the NPA’s Ouma Rabaji-Rathabatha expressed concern at the erosion of the mine’s value. She said the curator of the mine had reported that the mini-pit contractors earned R6.3bn in the seven months from March, while OCM had earned only R28.5m in royalties. In an affidavit filed on Monday, BRP Kurt Knoop claimed that the income from the mini-pit contractors was crucial for OCM to keep operating. The NPA’s claim that value was being dissipated was hollow, he asserted. The revenue generated by the mini-pit mines had enabled OCM to meet its monthly obligations, including its care and maintenance obligations. Without them, OCM would have been liquidated, Knoop said. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Linda Ensor at BusinessLive Other general posting(s) relating to mining
Thousands of new police recruits ready to hit the streets The Citizen reports that it was raining new recruits in Pretoria on Tuesday at the SA Police Service (SAPS) passing-out parade at the Tshwane Academy. But not even the rain could keep the thousands of new constables away from the parade, where they were welcomed into the force by President Cyril Ramaphosa, Police Minister Bheki Cele and National Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Fannie Masemola. Tears of joy flowed as friends and family cheered on the new constables parading for the first time, before joining them on the field to congratulate the newbies. Cele said 9,831 young men and women had presented themselves to various police academies across the country in April. He noted that it was a ground-breaking milestone given that a maximum of 10,000 trainees were recruited and trained. “These new constables have completed the longer and more intensive nine-month basic police development learning programme. Trainees have also been equipped with critical skills required at community service centres (CSC),” Cele said. He asserted that the new constables also had the necessary insight into crime detection, understanding the elements of crime, statement taking and investigations across the spectrum. Professor Jaco Barkhuizen said it was a step in the right direction, but “it is just a drop in the ocean of the crime we are experiencing currently in South Africa.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Marizka Coetzer at The Citizen New police recruits joining a broken organisation, low on morale and resources The Citizen reports that the SA Police Services (SAPS) this week welcomed 10,000 new recruits. But, a recent study by the Solidarity Research Institute (SRI) indicates that this cohort are joining the ranks of members largely demotivated by the sorry state of affairs in the police, where they will find it almost impossible to fight crime. On Tuesday, President Cyril Ramaphosa told 2,938 of the recruits at the Tshwane police academy that their passing-out parade asserted their readiness to help eradicate crime, serve and protect. But according to the findings of the SRI’s survey on the working conditions and challenges of the SAPS, seemingly more than just the recruits’ resolve will be tested. Other than having no vehicles or equipment to carry out their duties, the recruits will find that they will also have to grapple dreadful working conditions. More than half of the 400 police officers sampled for the survey decried lack of equipment, resources, and support, as well as awful working conditions, as the biggest sources of their despair. Even basic forensic equipment such as gloves and fingerprint powder or swabs used for taking DNA samples did not exist at some stations. Police officers have to take turns to use computers and wait to use a single telephone while the backlog of cases increases. Some resort to using their own cell phones without compensation. This was also the case with stationery and printers, with detectives using outdated computers and unlicensed software. Researchers noted that the general safety of police members was another cause of great concern, with some stations not even fenced off and others not having holding cells. The report pointed out that the respondents became police members to serve their communities, but national government and top police management made it impossible to do so. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sipho Mabena at The Citizen (subscriber access only)
Zimbabweans hesitant about applying for alternative visas BL Premium reports that according to Department of Home Affairs (DHA) Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, just 6,000, or 3%, of the estimated 178,000 Zimbabweans living in SA under the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) had by September applied for alternative visas. But, in a written reply to a parliamentary question, Motsoaledi added that “more applications are streaming in on a daily basis”. Simba Chitando, a legal representative for the Zimbabweans covered by the exemption permit, said many weren’t applying because the visas and permits were too expensive and because many applications had been rejected. Motsoaledi gave notice at the end of last year that the ZEP introduced about 10 years ago would expire at the end of 2022. Then in September he extended the deadline for Zimbabweans to apply for other types of permits to end-June 2023. Motsoaledi emphasised that there would be no further extensions for Zimbabweans to regularise their status in SA under the Immigration Act. His decision to terminate the permit is being challenged in court by the Helen Suzman Foundation. In his written reply, the minister said 1,195 Zimbabweans had applied for a critical skills visa, 19 for business visas, 62 for general work visas, 1,006 for relative visas, 443 for study visas, and 19 for retired persons visas. Chitando, who is representing Zimbabweans in the court case challenging the termination of the ZEP, said there was a huge backlog in dealing with the applications, as was the case with all types of other visas. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Linda Ensor at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
ActionSA calls for arrest of teachers involved in Mpumalanga matric exam cheating scandal The Star reports that despite the fact that Department of Basic Education (DBE) spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga has confirmed that they will investigate allegations of a matric exam cheating scandal in Mpumalanga, ActionSA has called for the arrest of the teachers involved. This call followed reports that money was allegedly paid to teachers to help matric pupils cheat in their final exams by providing answers in WhatsApp groups. Allegedly, pupils paid R1,500 to the teachers to join the WhatsApp group. During exams, the pupils seemingly went to the toilets to check the answers on their phones. "Those teachers who have been found to have acted unlawfully must be discharged, prosecuted, and jailed," ActionSA demanded, while calling on DBE Minister Angie Motshekga to urgently suspend the alleged conspirators and nullify the results of the learners found to have unduly benefited from the cheating scheme. In a statement on Monday, the Mpumalanga DBE requested that time be given for the investigation to take place and requested the cooperation of all those who had information about the cheating and misconduct. “The Department will henceforth await the outcome of the investigation before determining the cause of action to be undertaken going forward," the department indicated. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Anita Nkonki at The Star
Over 300 government officials on suspension for alleged fraud, theft, rape paid in excess of R130 million Pretoria News reports that the government has paid more than R130 million to more than 300 public servants who are on suspension with full pay and benefits. One, an employee of the Gauteng Economic Development, has been on full pay for four years. These were among the damning revelations of Acting Minister of Public Service and Administration, Thulas Nxesi, in his written reply to questions from the DA’s public service and administration spokesperson, Dr Mimmy Gondwe, in the National Assembly. In his reply, Nxesi said a Gauteng official had been suspended for four years (1,604 days) for fraud. Another official had been suspended for 902 days for misuse of a petrol card. Three assistant directors were on suspension for fraud and another on theft charges. A deputy director is facing charges of poor performance, insubordination, and fraud. Nxesi also gave shocking details of sex allegations against some officials. Gondwe responded by saying that the Department of Public Service and Administration should urgently implement a discipline management strategy so government departments could finalise disciplinary cases within the 90-day period stipulated by Public Service Regulations. “It is grossly unfair that, year in and year out, the already burdened South African taxpayer pays such a heavy price,” Gondwe complained. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Baldwin Ndaba at Pretoria News
Hawks raid Tembisa Hospital over 'illegally' awarded R850 million contracts flagged by slain whistleblower Babita Deokaran News24 reports that the Hawks (Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation) descended on Tembisa Tertiary Hospital on Tuesday to conduct a search and seizure operation over allegedly illegal multimillion-rand contracts awarded at the institution. Gauteng Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said the operation emanated from an inquiry into allegations of fraud and corruption at the hospital. She indicated that they had received information about R850 million in irregular contracts awarded to 217 service providers by supply chain management at the hospital. "These were allegedly issued as purchase orders between 2016 and 2022. These orders were reportedly conducted or allocated unlawfully and illegally, resulting in the hospital being prejudiced by over R850 million,” Mogale indicated. She added: "In some contracts, hospital employees are said to have received gratification. The investigation team is to seize all relevant materials, including documents and electronic gadgets, which are deemed important in the investigation's progress." The investigation comes after the assassination of whistleblower Babita Deokaran, a chief director of financial accounting at the Gauteng health department. Deokaran was killed outside her south Johannesburg home in August 2021 after flagging irregular and dubious payments at the hospital. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Alex Patrick at News24. Read too, Corruption at Tembisa Hospital involves firms flagged by Babita Deokaran, at BusinessLive. En ook, Fluitjieblaser se vermoede oor Tembisa bevestig, by Maroela Media
Sexual assault case against former Oudtshoorn deputy mayor postponed to next year News24 reports that the former Oudtshoorn deputy mayor, who faces charges of sexual assault, will remain in custody until next year. Mlandeli Nyuka, who was arrested in October after a 37-year-old employee in his office opened a case of sexual assault against him, made a brief court appearance in the Oudtshoorn Magistrate's Court on Tuesday. The case was postponed to January for further investigation and a possible regional court date. Nyuka resigned last month as deputy mayor amid the allegations against him. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Marvin Charles at News24 (scroll down)
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