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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Lawyers issue letter of demand to Gordhan, Eskom over load shedding News24 reports that several high-profile law firms, leaders and NPOs have threatened Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan and Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter with legal action over their failure to provide a stable power supply to the country. The letter issued to Gordhan and De Ruyter on Monday, was addressed to them by Mabuza Attorneys and at least six other law firms. The legal team has received the backing of UDM leader Bantu Holomisa, Build One SA leader Mmusi Maimane, policy analyst Lukhona Mnguni, the IFP, the National Union of Metalworkers of SA and several NPOs. The lawyers said their clients had instructed them to demand that load shedding be stopped with immediate effect and, if not, a full explanation be provided of why the government could not stop it. Alternatively, they demanded a specific timetable for when load shedding would end, and the reasons for the timetable. The team said the state should develop and make publicly available a clear plan to end load shedding, which had specify the resources available to ensure it was realised. The lawyers also demanded that the 18.65% tariff increase granted by the National Energy Regulator of SA (Nersa) should not be implemented, pending the determination of the court challenge their clients intended to institute. Eskom and Gordhan have until 20 January to respond to the letter to avoid legal action. "It cannot be disputed that the state, as represented by the ministry of public enterprises and Eskom, has not taken any reasonable measures to provide vulnerable South Africans with adequate and reliable energy, whether electricity or any other alternative forms of energy. In so doing, the state has contravened its duty to provide energy as imposed by the Constitution, national legislation, and contract," the lawyers argued. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Iavan Pijoos & Juniour Khumalo at News24. Read too, Fed-up SA readies for legal battle over load-shedding and energy crisis, at BusinessLive (subscriber access only) Eskom bosses delay briefing on Monday as they head for head for emergency meeting with President Moneyweb reports that embattled power utility Eskom was forced to postpone its latest load shedding media briefing on Monday afternoon after Eskom bosses were summoned to an emergency meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa. Eskom announced its decision to postpone the briefing – meant to update the nation on the state of its systems – a little over an hour before it was scheduled to take place. Eskom spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha indicated: “While we aim to hold the media briefing as soon as possible, the date and time can only be confirmed once meetings with the president are concluded.” The emergency meeting is said to be another clear indication of the worsening power crisis in the country, with five straight days of Stage 6 load shedding having taken place. In a power alert issued later on Monday afternoon, Eskom said the intensity of power cuts would be reduced from Tuesday – to Stage 4 from 05:00 and 16:00, and Stage 5 from 16:00 to 05:00. It said it expected 14 generators to return to service during the week and that it had managed to procure another 50 million litres of diesel in the first week of January. The postponement of Eskom’s briefing came after the president cancelled his plans to travel to Switzerland this week for the World Economic Forum (WEF) gathering in Davos. Ramaphosa took the decision to stay behind to deal with the country’s worsening energy crisis. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Akhona Matshoba at Moneyweb Private power generation the only way to alleviate energy crisis, says Solidarity EWN reports that according to Solidarity, Eskom's inability to alleviate SA’s power crisis means that the country needs to urgently head towards private generation supply. The trade union has joined opposition political parties and organisations in threatening to take Eskom to court over the crippling impact of rolling power cuts. The United Democratic Movement, Build One SA and Solidarity said they would be in court in the next two weeks. They claim Eskom has failed to provide a comprehensive plan to resolve the crisis. "Nersa has now agonised over an increase for Eskom but Nersa should be publicising every month to the public how many private generation registrations they've actually received and how many they've approved and as long as there's no visibility on that, we're sitting in the dark with no possibility of a turnaround," said Connie Mulder, head of Solidarity's Research Institute. He went on to say: "We're in deep, deep trouble. The coal fleet is just simply at the end of its life, which it is officially. You can do as much maintenance as you'd like, if you drive a car at 200 kilometres an hour for 40 years, stuff will break and that is what we're seeing happening and the main problem is we have nothing in the pipeline to be added. This was the DMRE's job but nothing has been done, nothing has been planned." Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Thabiso Goba at EWN. Read too, Focus on improving the energy availability factor as a quick win to stop load-shedding, at Mail & Guardian Calm restored to Durban suburb after residents blocked roads, burnt tyres in protest against power outages News24 reports that residents from Phoenix, Durban, took to the streets on Monday to protest against power outages after they had suffered multiple days in the dark. Condemning the violent protests, Community Policing Forum Umesh Singh reported that angry residents burnt tyres, blockaded roads and took to the streets after enduring days of power outages. Residents accused the eThekwini municipality of failing to address the challenges that have caused power outages in the area. Singh indicated: "We understand that there is load shedding but, unfortunately, people have been without electricity for days, and they're not certain about where the problem is. It's either shoddy workmanship from the side of the eThekwini municipality or they don't have the equipment to resolve these issues affecting people terribly in that area." He added that while the grievances raised by residents were valid, criminality was a concern. DA MPL Bradley Singh reported that power was briefly restored for about an hour before it shut down again. He said ward councillors were unfairly blamed by frustrated residents who demanded answers. Durban metro police spokesperson Boysie Zungu advised that protest action had been suspended after a meeting between residents and local leaders. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Cebelihle Bhengu at News24 Poultry sector warns of rising prices due to load-shedding BL Premium reports that SA’s poultry industry has warned that prices will surge exponentially if the government does not move to zero-rate chicken, as the sector is hamstrung by intensified load-shedding. Preferred by many South Africans as the main source of protein, chicken has been in short supply in recent weeks as fewer chickens are being slaughtered as a result of power outages that have only intensified in recent weeks. Chair of the SA Poultry Association, Izaak Breytenbach, advised that the effects of load-shedding were devastating for the sector’s operations even as both large and small scale farmers grapple with high input costs that have pushed prices of chicken up about 17% in 2022. Local producers have also been competing with an influx of imports flooding the market. Explaining that poultry producers run 24-hour operations and slaughter 3-million chickens a day, he said during every hour there was no power, losses were being incurred. The shortages are being felt by fast food restaurants such as KFC, and Breytenbach warned that they are now spilling over to the retailers and the wholesale trade. Last week agriculture, land reform & rural development minister Thoko Didiza met with leaders of the agriculture sector to assess the effects of load-shedding on business activity and plans for the sector. Stakeholders called for the establishment of a sector task team comprising the government, industry participants and energy specialists to monitor the effects of load-shedding. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Michelle Gumede at BusinessLive (subscriber access only) Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Petra’s historic Koffiefontein diamond mine to be placed on care and maintenance Mining Weekly reports that Petra Diamonds announced on Monday that the historic Koffiefontein diamond mine was to be placed on care and maintenance. It was reported in May last year that together with its black economic empowerment partners, Petra, which owns 74% of the asset, was exploring a responsible exit from its investment in the Koffiefontein operations. The view expressed by Petra at the time was that it might be feasible for another owner to extend the mine’s life, but a buyer has not been found and the mine, situated in the Free State province about 80 km from Kimberley, will now be shut. Petra CEO Richard Duffy stated: “The board, in ongoing consultation with its stakeholders, has taken the difficult decision to cease operations and place Koffiefontein on care and maintenance. Engagement with our key stakeholders remains constructive as we seek to ensure an inclusive and responsible process towards mine closure.” The asset has been loss-making for several years and low morale remains a risk to the mine’s safety performance. A Section 189(3) notice was issued to Koffiefontein employees last year informing them of the economic realities of the mine and inviting them to join a collaborative process to determine the optimal way forward towards achieving the mine being placed on care and maintenance. Operations were halted to ensure assessed risks were mitigated. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Mining Weekly NUM pushes back against RBCT’s decision to end Optimum’s use of terminal to export coal Mining Weekly reports that the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) Highveld Region has noted “with regret” the decision taken by the Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) board in terms of which Optimum Colliery, which remains under business rescue, will no longer be allowed to export coal using the allocated terminal. The NUM said the decision would have a negative impact on the livelihoods of mine workers and the community depending on them in the Steve Tshwete municipality in Mpumalanga. “What is disturbing more is the fact that the RBCT board did not even bother to engage with the NUM, the recognised labour union in Optimum Colliery. The board decided willy-nilly to take such a resolution that, in our view as the NUM, is detrimental and regressive,” the union said in a statement last week. According to the NUM, the assigned business rescue practitioners (BRPs) were not assisting the situation. It alleged that the BRPs were taking advantage of the coal price and were embarking on a self-interested profit-making endeavor instead of rescuing the business. The NUM said the first beneficiaries should be former employees of the Optimum coal mine and that the primary focus of the BRPs should be to ensure that those employees were employed so that they could continue to support their families. The NUM will be requesting a meeting with the BRPs, the RBCT board and the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy about the matter. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Mining Weekly Other labour / community posting(s) relating to mining
Cosatu affiliate Ceppwawu given until September to hold national congress to elect new leaders Sunday Independent reports that one of Cosatu’s troubled affiliates must hold its long-delayed national congress by the end of September after years of bickering among its leaders, mainly over the mismanagement of investments worth billions of rand. Following leadership clashes at the Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers' Union (Ceppwawu) – primarily over the union’s company Ceppwawu Investments which has a portfolio worth nearly R2 billion – the union was placed under administration following Registrar of Labour Relations Lehlohonolo Molefe’s intervention. Its former leaders, members and employees have launched several Labour Court applications in bids to wrestle control of Ceppwawu away from a succession of administrators appointed by Molefe to run the affairs of the beleaguered union. Further challenges before the Labour Appeal Court are pending. Last month, Acting Judge Sean Snyman of the Johannesburg Labour Court extended Ceppwawu’s administration until 12 December this year and declared that business rescue specialist Sipho Sono would continue to be the union’s administrator, with full powers, during that period. The judgment provides that “Sono shall appoint an experienced and reputable facilitator to ensure that congresses (are) convened in terms of the constitution of Ceppwawu to elect a new national leadership of Ceppwawu”. Snyman set a deadline of 30 September 2023 for the election of leaders. “The control, management and affairs of Ceppwawu shall be handed to the new leadership elected… upon expiry of the period of administration under this order on December 12, 2023, unless extended further by this court on application by the registrar (Molefe),“ Snyman indicated. He ordered that Sono be required to consult with interested parties when deciding the proper and effective governance and administration requirements to be put in place for Ceppwawu. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Loyiso Sidimba at Sunday Independent
British American Tobacco may have to retrench even more local workers as its cigarette sales fall 40% Fin24 reports that SA’s largest tobacco manufacturer, British American Tobacco SA (BATSA), says falling cigarette sales mean it may have to cut another 200 jobs at its local operations. Since 2020, the company has retrenched more than 30% of its workforce, equating to around 500 positions. It has now entered into retrenchment negotiations relating to a further 200 staff layoffs. BATSA – whose brands include Dunhill, Peter Stuyvesant, Rothmans and Pall Mall – says this is due to a 40% decline in its cigarette sales since the start of the pandemic. The local arm of British American Tobacco (BAT) has long argued that ban on the sale of cigarettes during SA’s pandemic lockdown led to a boom in illegal sales. The tobacco producer believes that the illicit market now accounts for 70% of SA’s total cigarette market. The ban, which was fiercely contested by SA's tobacco industry, was instituted by the government in a bid to lessen the impact of Covid-19 on SA's hospitals. It was later found to be unconstitutional. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jan Cronje at Fin24. Read too, British American Tobacco SA may restructure putting 200 jobs at risk, at BusinessLive. And also, British American Tobacco to retrench workers amid ‘ballooning’ illicit tobacco trade in SA, at The Citizen
Durban Metro Police looking to hire 200 traffic officers, with submissions open until midday on Friday IOL reports that Durban Metro Police is looking to fill at least 200 vacancies, with submissions open until midday on Friday. The chosen applicants will perform basic duties, including working point duty at traffic intersections and issuing notices for traffic violations. The appointed persons will also attend vehicle accident scenes and report details to the control room, as well as deal with criminal offences and attend court to submit evidence. As per the job spec, the applicant must have completed Grade 12, needs to be older than 18, have permanent residence in SA and will have to undergo a medical examination. She or he must be physically and mentally fit to be appointed to the post. Interested participants can drop off their application form at the Kings Park Athletic Stadium until Friday, 20 January, at midday. Application forms can be obtained online at www.durban.gov.za Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Se-Anne Rall at IOL
SAPS ordered to pay damages of R300,000 to senior officer falsely accused of racism GroundUp reports that the SA Police Service (SAPS) has been ordered to pay R300,000 in compensation to a senior police officer for failing to take action against two subordinates who “disparaged and humiliated her” and falsely accused her of racism. Johannesburg Labour Court Judge Portia Nkutha-Nkontwana has also ordered SAPS to apologise, in writing, to Lt Col Annemarie Oosthuizen for the indignity she suffered as a result of the racial abuse. The judge said police management had “dismally failed” to put a stop to the “racial harassment” of her, instead doing everything to protect the perpetrators and thereby being vicariously liable. Oosthuizen, who was represented by trade union Solidarity, argued that the Employment Equity Act (EEA) prohibited unfair discrimination in the workplace, and yet the respondents, SAPS, the Minister of Police and National Commissioner of Police, had failed to deal with her grievances. She was the commander of human resources at Klerksdorp police station in 2017 when she took “corrective action” against two warrant officers because of their absenteeism. In her ruling, Judge Nkutha-Nkontwana said it was “absolutely clear” that Oosthuizen had been racially harassed by the two warrant officers who were motivated by insubordination and animus. The judge said it was apparent that the bosses at SAPS were oblivious to their statutory duties in terms of the EEA. When they should have taken all steps to eliminate the racial harassment, they had, instead, acted in a partial manner, protecting the perpetrators at the expense of the victim. She ordered that the respondents pay Solidarity’s costs. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tania Broughton at GroundUp
Cape Town's Central Line still running a limited service, but it may be fully restored by the end of February EWN reports that Cape Town's Central Line is still running a limited service, but it may be fully restored by the end of February. The line, which is one of the City’s busiest, has not been fully open since 2019, due to cable theft, vandalism and squatters on the tracks. The Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) advised that services would continue to be limited until more trains were introduced on the line. Prasa said it was still busy with Central Line repairs between Cape Town’s CBD and Langa, while government’s Housing Development Agency has been tasked with relocating informal settlers on or near rail tracks at Langa. Prasa said this was delaying efforts to get trains back on tracks, and the agency was unable to confirm progress. But the Central Line is not the only one affected by challenges. Along the Northern Line, although services were restored between Eerste River and Bellville, the line feeds into the Stellenbosch and Strand routes which are still being repaired. At this stage, Prasa cannot indicate by when all train services in the Western Cape will be performing at full capacity. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Melikhaya Zagagana at EWN Other internet posting(s) in this news category
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