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 Friday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South African
labour-related reports.
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Moves under way to appoint acting Eskom CEO, as De Ruyter’s interview sends shockwaves Mining Weekly writes that according to the SA government, an acting Eskom CEO will be appointed “in due course” following the sudden departure of CEO André de Ruyter. His exit more than a month before his expected departure on 31 March was confirmed hours after the airing of an explosive television interview in which he offered startling details about high levels of criminality at the utility and also indicated that a high-ranking “politician” was directly involved in corruption at Eskom. In a statement issued the day after the Eskom board announced that De Ruyter had been “released from his position with immediate effect”, the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) reported that Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan and the Eskom board were finalising the appointment of an acting CEO and would make an announcement in due course. “Government assures South Africans that there will be no leadership vacuum. The Eskom management team continues with daily operations and work to end loadshedding and secure our energy supply continues in earnest,” the statement indicated. In his interview with eNCA, De Ruyter estimated there to be ongoing theft amounting to about R1-billion a month relating mostly to coal and fuel oil. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Mining Weekly ‘Out of touch’ De Ruyter embarrassed Eskom, says board chairman Makwana BL Premium reports that according to Eskom chairman Mpho Makwana, the decision to cut short CEO André de Ruyter’s notice period was made by the state-owned power utility’s board and there was no meddling by the government. Makwana indicated that board members were “aghast” at a televised interview in which the outgoing De Ruyter pointed fingers at the highest ranks of the ANC and the government for the malaise at the utility. After the eNCA interview was aired, the chair of the board convened a meeting of the board on Wednesday. It was decided that De Ruyter, who resigned in December, should vacate his office immediately – one month before his planned departure. Makwana said the Eskom executive committee would make a decision on an acting CEO. He dismissed rumours about interference from government in the decision taken to hasten De Ruyter’s departure. Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) Minister Pravin Gordhan, who is the utility’s political head, also maintained that the cutting short of De Ruyter’s notice period was “solely handled” by the board. The DPE said Gordhan did not convene board meetings of state-owned enterprises and the Eskom board “made a decision on the departure of [De Ruyter] and the minister concurred with the decision”. Makwana said Eskom had suffered reputational damage because of the assertions De Ruyter made in the interview. De Ruyter has in the past been frank about the deluge of crime and corruption at Eskom – a scourge that has seen president Cyril Ramaphosa deploying soldiers at some of its power plants. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Denene Erasmus, Sam Mkokeli & Thando Maeko at BusinessLive. Read too, De Ruyter ‘economical with the truth’, says Enoch Godongwana, at BusinessLive Godongwana strikes back, claiming De Ruyter was 'economical with the truth' about corruption claims Fin24 reports that according to Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, former Eskom CEO André de Ruyter "was economical with the truth" in his comments about corruption at Eskom in a recent television interview. The interview, which was screened on eNCA, led to De Ruyter's immediate departure from Eskom at the board's request. Answering questions from MPs in Parliament on Thursday on the national budget, Godogwana said: The [former] CEO of Eskom was economical with the truth because when he raised the issue of corruption at Eskom, particularly in Mpumalanga, an investigation was done, and indeed some syndicates were operating, which also included police. The government set up a task team and moved into Megawatt Park and arrested a number of people. So, I find it difficult to accept his statement [that nothing was done].” Godongwana also briefed MPs on the debt solution for Eskom. A bailout will see the Treasury take over R254 billion in debt repayments and interest costs for the next three years and take over R70 billion of loan debt. The bailout will take the form of an interest-free loan with conditions attached. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Carol Paton at Fin24 Cosatu still waiting for a meeting with Ramaphosa about electricity minister News24 reports that according to trade union federation Cosatu, it was left behind regarding Cabinet discussions and the proposed introduction of an electricity minister by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the State of the Nation Address (SONA) this month. In a press briefing on Thursday, Cosatu President Zingiswa Losi said the federation was not informed of the introduction and appointment of an electricity minister ahead of SONA. "We did indicate after the State of the Nation Address that we had no idea of that ministry. We all heard [about it] for the first time when the president was making an announcement at the State of the Nation Address," Losi indicated. She said Cosatu, which is part of the tripartite alliance, needed clarification on the terms and conditions of the newly appointed electricity minister and said it was still waiting for a meeting with Ramaphosa and the ANC to get answers about the new role. "What exactly would be the difference of that ministry in terms of... what it is expected to do in the [energy] crisis? Is it linked to the national state of disaster? Is it linked to the period of that state of disaster? Or is it a new ministry now that is going to be permanent even if he does his reshuffle? We're waiting for a sit down for us to be able to get those answers," she stated. Losi also said that although the federation welcomed the state of disaster announced by Ramaphosa, the government should not repeat previous offences during Covid-19 and "syphon" funds for themselves. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Malaika Ditabo at News24 Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Public sector wage demands ‘will not cause rift with Cosatu’, ANC reckons BusinessLive reports that the ANC says it is not afraid of a potential political fallout between it and its alliance partner, labour federation Cosatu, ahead of next year’s national elections. This as the government pushes ahead with plans to avoid unaffordable public sector wage bill settlements, which have been flagged as a big risk to the fiscus. Preliminary polls show that the ANC is set to see a decline in electoral support in the 2024 national and provincial elections. Cosatu, which has 21 affiliated trade unions representing workers in various sectors including health, education and the police, has traditionally mobilised its more than 1.5-million members to vote for the ANC in successive elections since 1994. But, it has accused the government of conducting wage negotiations in bad faith by undermining collective bargaining and announcing an allocation of only R45.6bn to provide for the carry-through costs for the 2022/2023 public-service wage increase. This is as negotiations between unions and the government for the 2023/2024 financial year are supposed to be ongoing. “We do not think of our alliance as a hostage situation where demands are listed and a ransom must be paid. When negotiations between government and labour are taking place, it is on the basis of workers pursuing their economic interests as they should. An amicable agreement between government and labour will be found,” Zuko Godlimpi, deputy head of the ANC’s economic transformation committee (ETC), commented. “The reality is that public servants are not respected by government ... whether this will be a political cost, the ANC must calculate,” Cosatu president Zingiswa Losi said on Thursday. Cosatu added: “It is obvious that they are intent on balancing the books by pickpocketing nurses, teachers, and other hardworking public servants.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Thando Maeko at BusinessLive Cosatu calls on government to mend relationship with public workers after budget speech News24 reports that labour federation has urged the government to "mend" its relationship with public sectorworkers, who have become "disillusioned" and "overworked", to improve and develop the country's economy. It released a statement on Tuesday in response to the wage bill, unemployment, and the bailout of state-owned entities, as discussed by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana during his budget speech. Cosatu called the proposed 3.3% wage bill increase, in contrast to the 4.5% salary increase allocated from the same budget for Cabinet members and MPs, scandalous. It said the government should have communicated with organised labour at the Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council to develop a suitable wage package that considered public workers' demands and protected them from inflation. Cosatu president Zingiswa Losi pointed out that government negotiators proposed the 3.3% increase the Friday before the speech without including the workers' demands. "Once you table them [the demands], and then you move the following week to a budget vote, literally you are saying it does not matter whether your constituencies agreed to or not, but we are pronouncing them. So, you are not negotiating; you are telling them that this is what I am going to give you," Losi commented. Cosatu welcomed the 2.5% economic growth in 2022 and the Presidential Employment Stimulus, which has created 500,000 job opportunities for the youth. However, it expressed concern about the stagnant 60% youth unemployment. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Malaika Ditabo at News24
Concerns raised at BRICS meeting over declining trade union membership in SA The Citizen reports that trade union membership in SA is declining at an alarming rate and currently stands at 23%. This was revealed on Wednesday during a BRICS meeting in Muldersdrift attended by Brazil, Russia, India, China and SA, the organisation’s five member states, along with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the African Union (AU), as well as Zimbabwe, Botswana, Eswatini, Namibia and Malawi as invitees. Jahni de Villiers of Labour Amplified told the meeting the dwindling union membership in the country constituted a real threat to social dialogue. She said this was a problem for both employers and employees because unionised workplaces had better and easier communication structures. “Collective bargaining and social dialogue are cornerstones of policy-making; thus the existence of tripartite institutions like Nedlac,” De Villiers pointed out. Thembinkosi Mkalipi, chief director responsible for collective bargaining in the labour market policy unit of the Department of Employment and Labour, indicated: “In South Africa, fewer and fewer people are likely to be represented by trade unions and this is typical of the global situation. Trade unions have been weakened and for decent work to be attained you need strong representatives of workers.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard at The Citizen
No fall of ground fatalities in SA so far in 2023 Mining Weekly reports that so far this year, no fall-of-ground (FoG) fatalities have been recorded in SA’s mines. This was reported by Mandela Mining Precinct (MMP) advanced orebody knowledge programme manager Michelle Pienaar on Wednesday. “We are incredibly encouraged by this significant progress and hope this is a great step toward reaching zero fatalities soon. But the work is not done. We must keep the momentum,” she said. Pienaar was speaking at an awards ceremony in Johannesburg, hosted by the MMP and the Minerals Council SA (MCSA), where mining technology company Reutech Mining was honoured as the winner of the Rock Hazard Identification and Safe Removal Innovation Challenge. The challenge, which was organised by the MMP and the MCSA, in partnership with mining companies Sibanye-Stillwater and Impala Platinum, was aimed at identifying novel solutions in rock hazard identification and safe rock removal with a focus on reducing FoGs and improving worker safety. The initiative was part of the FoG Action Plan (Fogap), which was developed and approved by the MCSA’s CEO Zero Harm Forum, in collaboration with the MMP's Advanced Orebody Knowledge (AOK) programme. The AOK programme strives to increase geological confidence at and beyond the rockface, whereas the Fogap aims to reduce FoG deaths, which have historically been identified as one of the primary causes of worker fatalities in the mining sector. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Mining Weekly Other general posting(s) relating to mining
Numsa gears up to fight Telkom over looming retrenchments BusinessLive reports that the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) has added its voice to mounting calls from labour groups which want to stop proposed retrenchments at fixed-line operator Telkom. Up to 1,800 jobs could be lost. Numsa said it was preparing to defend jobs and fight against retrenchments at Openserve, the group’s fibre subsidiary. Openserve is the country’s largest telecommunications infrastructure provider and operates the largest fibre network in SA. Numsa’s challenge comes a week after the Communication Workers Union (CWU) condemned Telkom’s plan to shed jobs as part of a cost-cutting exercise. Last week, Telkom indicated it could shed 15% of its workforce as it announced the commencement of a consultation process with affected employees as part of a wider effort to reduce costs and increase profitability. The latest staff number is from September 2022 at 11,788 employees. The first consultation with unions will take place on 24 February under the supervision of the CCMA. Numsa blames the government, as the largest shareholder in Telkom, and the ruling ANC for the problems at Telkom. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mudiwa Gavaza at BusinessLive
Announcement of UCT vice-chancellor’s exit delayed over ‘exoneration’ in media statement News24 reports that the announcement of the departure of vice-chancellor Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng from the University of Cape Town (UCT) is being delayed by a difference of opinion between her and the university council about what the media statement on the matter should say. Apparently, Phakeng is "hellbent" on being "exonerated" in the statement announcing her exit from UCT. A settlement agreement signed by Phakeng on 17 February did not mention anything about her being exonerated and the UCT council decided on Tuesday night that an independent investigation into allegations of poor governance would continue. Phakeng is being accused of misleading the senate about the true reasons for the early departure of deputy vice-chancellor Lis Lange last year. The independent panel will also draw on a report by the former university ombudsman outlining numerous allegations of bullying against the vice-chancellor. Even though the council approved the settlement with Phakeng on Tuesday night, the university has remained tight-lipped on the issuing of a statement. Phakeng’s last day as university head will be 3 March. She will be paid R12.5 million to leave before her second term expires in 2028. This includes a R4.2 million salary for the next 12 months, during which she will take a sabbatical and work for the university's education department. A further R8.3 million ‘ex gratia’ lump sum will be paid to her when she leaves the university at the end of February 2024. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Marvin Charles & Adriaan Basson at News24. Read too, Stony silence over Phakeng's UCT exit deal involves a wrangle over semantics, at TimesLive
VUT vice-chancellor Dan Kgwadi threatens legal action against university for placing him on special leave News24 reports that Vaal University of Technology vice-chancellor Professor Dan Kgwadi is considering pursuing legal action against the institution after being placed on special leave. Kgwadi said the suspension came after he took 14 days' sick leave in January, during which he was hospitalised for five days. He apparently worked from home after he was discharged from hospital, and has records of online meetings which he had attended during this period. However, according to Kgwadi, VUT chairperson Professor Mandla Radebe scolded him on his return for being "forever sick" and recommended that he medically board himself. On 17 February, Kgwadi received a letter informing him of the council's decision to place him on special leave, pending a review of his probationary process. "This is contradictory. I don't know, at the moment, what they meant when they said that my [employment] contract is not confirmed and that I am put on leave." According to the letter, Kgwadi had been required to serve six months' probation from the date of employment, 1 February 2022. This was extended to 31 January 2023, on the condition Kgwadi’s probation report would have been submitted by then. Kgwadi’s position now is that he wants VUT to pay his retirement package for the remainder of his contract. "I want them to pay out my contract. I still have four years with them. We don't have to work together. My lawyers will communicate with them. They can volunteer a settlement, or we can go to court," he stated. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Cebelihle Bhengu at News24
Two Limpopo cops accused of demanding R15,000 bribe over nonexistent case denied bail The Citizen reports that two Limpopo police officers accused of soliciting a bribe will remain in jail after their bail was denied. Takalani Carlos Mokwena and Masiakwala Masilo David appeared in the Tiyani Magistrate’s Court for a bail hearing this week. The state opposed the granting of bail and it was denied. The officers, who are attached to the Sekgosese police station, are facing one count of corruption. It is alleged that the pair demanded a bribe of R15,000 from a complainant under the pretence that there had been a case opened against him by his girlfriend. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Limpopo spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi reported: “The complainant gave them R10,000, and the suspects then further demanded the outstanding amount of R5,000. The complainant then reported the matter to the police and the suspects were arrested in possession of R1,000 after the trap was set.” Malabi-Dzhangi advised that the matter was adjourned to 24 March 2023, for further investigations, and the suspects would remain in custody. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at The Citizen
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