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 Thursday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South African
labour-related reports.
|
Hospitals and government offices disrupted as Nehawu’s public sector wage strike intensified on Wednesday GroundUp reports that striking members of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) protested across the country on Wednesday, with some strikers closing down hospitals and disrupting health services and government offices. Government considers the 2022 wage negotiations settled, but Nehawu and some other unions are still holding out for an increase of at least 10%. “You have shown the power of the people by closing all the hospitals. The employer says people are dying. It is not our responsibility to keep people’s lives,” Nehawu’s Western Cape provincial secretary Baxolise Mali told striking members on Wednesday. Mali said Nehawu’s intention was to “collapse the provision of government services” to force the government to the negotiating table. Speaking to strikers outside the Khayelitsha Hospital in Cape Town, Mali stated: “Our tactics involve closing workplaces, to force workers to get out and switch off their computers.” Meantime, Nehawu’s Gauteng provincial chairperson Mzikayise Tshontshi told GroundUp that the battle for a wage increase was far from over. He claimed that Nehawu had been called to the Public Sector Bargaining Council on Thursday. “Our negotiators will be there, but the rest of us will continue shutting down public services. We believe our strike has been resoundingly successful. From Monday to today, the numbers have been growing. Tomorrow we want to intensify the strike,” said Tshontshi. In Tshwane, striking workers closed down the offices of the Department of Public Service and Administration, shouting and insulting some workers who were inside the offices. The GroundUp report goes on to detail developments in Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Free State, North West, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal. Read the full original of the informative report on the strike by Vincent Lali, Chris Gilili, Liezl Human, Tariro Washinyira, Nombulelo Damba-Hendrik, Thamsanqa Mbovane & Mkhuseli Sizani at GroundUp Striking nurses at Stanger Hospital in KZN assail ambulance carrying critically ill child TimesLive reports that striking nurses allegedly assailed an ambulance crew transporting a child in critical condition to Stanger Hospital in KwaDukuza, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), on Wednesday and assaulted a paramedic. IPSS Medical Rescue said an ambulance was surrounded by nurses who attempted to stop the vehicle from entering the hospital. “Nurses attempted to forcefully remove the young patient from our ambulance, but thankfully crew managed to get through to casualty with the patient,” the emergency medical service said in a statement. The crew was then prevented from leaving. “Thanks to local security and KwaDukuza municipality peace officers, after some time our crews were out safely, although one member was assaulted but with no serious injuries. The critical child is safe and being attended to at the hospital,” IPSS indicated. On Tuesday, the provincial health department said operations were disrupted at some of its health facilities during a strike by members of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu). “This industrial action has resulted in the blockage of access to various hospitals by certain individuals, which has hindered access to several facilities, as well as work stoppages following the intimidation and removal of staff from their posts and the burning of tyres,” the department indicated. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Suthentira Govender at BusinessLive Patients told to leave Joburg’s Charlotte Maxeke Hospital amid Nehawu strike News24 reports that several patients admitted to the Charlotte Maxeke Hospital in Johannesburg were discharged, without notice, while others were shown away on Wednesday. This was amid ongoing protests by members of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu). Nehawu and several other public servant unions have been locked in a wage dispute with the government. The union is demanding a 10% salary increase, while the government is offering 4.7%. The protest, which entered its third day on Wednesday, has affected many people seeking healthcare in Johannesburg and other parts of the country. The streets around the Charlotte Maxeke Hospital were barricaded with rocks, bins and trash as police monitored the situation. Affected patients, who were discharged without notice, had a hard time getting hold of their families. Some had to make a long uphill walk to their families as cars were not allowed inside the premises, while others left the hospital to catch taxis. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Alfonso Nqunjana at News24. Read too, Charlotte Maxeke Hospital workers demand wage increase, better working environment, at SowetanLive Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Security guard threatens to sue Royal AM bosses after alleged assault The Citizen writes that the Durban derby between AmaZulu FC and Royal AM may have ended in a draw, but the drama off-the-field was exciting. So tense was the situation between the two sides that a fight broke out between the two camps in the VIP suites of the Moses Mabhida Stadium on 25 February. And now a security guard who was allegedly hurt in the fight with Royal AM bosses Shauwn “MaMkhize” Mkhize and her son Andile Mpisane is considering legal options. According to a report, security officer Nkosinathi Mbanjwa was left with a swollen face after getting a few slaps from MaMkhize and son. “I got attacked for doing my job. Andile and his mother kept asking me if I knew who they were and threatened to get me arrested. They assaulted me and people were scared to intervene because MaMkhize is known by high-profile people,” Mbanjwa is quoted as saying in the report. The fight had apparently been over accreditation for the duo to sit in the VIP suites which they were allegedly denied. Mbanjwa added: “The following day I went to open a case of assault. I am still waiting for my case number, but I got a call from the investigator asking some questions.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard at The Citizen
Harmony Gold reports fatality at Free State mine Reuters reports that Harmony Gold on Wednesday reported a fatality at its Tshepong North mine near Welkom in the Free State province, following a rigging-related incident. The gold producer said the accident occurred on 7 March and internal investigations were under way. This was the fourth fatality reported in Harmony's current financial year, which runs to June 2023. The company recorded 13 deaths in the last financial year. Read the original of the short report in the above regard at Fin24 Marikana mineworkers to know on Friday whether they will face murder charges IOL reports that seventeen Marikana mineworkers will know on Friday whether charges against them are to be dropped or whether they will stand trial on murder charges related to events shortly before the 2012 massacre at the Lonmin platinum mine. The mineworkers appeared in the North West High Court sitting in Mogwase on charges related to the murder of 10 people in the days preceding 16 August 2012, the day on which 34 mineworkers were killed by the police during a wildcat strike at Lonmin. The NPA said the matter was set for trial from 6 to 10 March, but one of the accused was not present on the first day and the matter was rolled over to the next day. “The State indicated on the record that it was ready to proceed with the trial. However, the defence attorneys are reluctant to proceed as they want the matter to be postponed or struck off the roll, pending the outcome of the review application they registered with the Gauteng division of the High Court, to have all charges against them withdrawn," National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson in the North West division, Henry Mamothame advised. “The State opposes this move as an order was granted by the North West judge president for the trial to resume amid the pending review application. The State also believes it is in the interest of justice for the trial to commence, considering the interest of the families of the deceased and of society in this matter,” Mamothame indicated. Both the State and the accused’s legal representatives have completed their arguments and the sitting judge is expected to make a judgment on Friday on the postponement, or whether the court will exercise its inherent jurisdiction to strike the matter off the roll. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Molaole Montsho at IOL
ANC prepares for legal fight with Andre de Ruyter over corruption claims BL Premium reports that having received no response from former Eskom CEO André de Ruyter on its demands to provide it with evidence that it has benefited from corruption at Eskom, the ANC says it is finalising legal action against him. The party had given de Ruyter seven days from 28 February to provide evidence of ANC-linked looting and corruption at the state-owned power utility, following an explosive televised interview with eNCA in which the former CEO accused the party of using the utility as a “feeding trough”. The interview, which was televised on the eve of De Ruyter's departure from Eskom, attracted criticism from senior members of the governing party, including president Cyril Ramaphosa and public enterprises minister Pravin Gordhan. The ANC asked that De Ruyter and Eskom issue a retraction and an apology, saying his comments were aimed at defaming the governing party and tarnishing its good name. However, the former Eskom CEO has not responded to the ANC’s demands, according to Krish Naidoo, the lawyer briefed by the ANC on the matter. “We have had no response from Mr De Ruyter. The summons is almost finalised and we hope to issue and serve in due course. Eskom informed us that our letter, demanding a retraction and apology, is receiving attention. Eskom also undertook to forward our letter of demand to Mr De Ruyter’s last-known address,” Naidoo added. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Thando Maeko at BusinessLive (subscriber access only). MPs want answers from De Ruyter about Eskom graft, to establish inquiry The Citizen reports that Parliament has resolved to establish an inquiry to investigate allegations of corruption and malfeasance at Eskom. The Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) met on Wednesday to discuss issues relating to Eskom. In a letter, African National Congress MP Bheki Hadebe asked Scopa to consider calling former Eskom CEO André de Ruyter to appear before the parliamentary committee following his allegations of wrongdoing and criminality at the state-owned power utility. At the meeting, Hadebe said he was concerned that De Ruyter, before leaving Eskom, never raised these issues with Parliament. In his view, the allegations “should not be taken lightly”. Scopa chair Mkhuleko Hlengwa was also convinced that the committee needed to perform its oversight function on Eskom. “I think it would be a missed opportunity by the committee if we do not consider [the allegations] seriously,” he stated. While MPs agreed to look into establishing an inquiry, Scopa decided to invite De Ruyter to elaborate further on his claims. “Of course, Mr De Ruyter would be the first to appear and then assist in us structuring an inquiry however we move forward. That is important,” Hlengwa indicated. A draft terms of reference for the inquiry into Eskom will be tabled next Wednesday. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at The Citizen. Read too, Scopa wants to hear from De Ruyter about corruption claims at Eskom, at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
Irvin Jim moves to push Zwelinzima Vavi out as general secretary of Saftu GroundUp reports that Irvin Jim, general secretary of the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa), has given Zwelinzima Vavi notice that the union intends to recall Vavi from his role as general secretary of the SA Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU). Numsa is Saftu’s largest member. According to a letter dated 28 February 2023 from Jim, Vavi was elected Saftu general secretary as an official of Numsa and, at a meeting of the Numsa national executive committee, Numsa decided that Vavi’s conduct “does not serve the best interests of NUMSA’s members and the working class in general”. The letter points out that the Saftu constitution stipulates that a Saftu office-bearer can be recalled by the affiliate which provided the office-bearer “if the member violates the constitution of the affiliate, or brings it into disrepute, or if the affiliate considers that the person failed to represent the best interests of the union’s members and the working class in general”. According to Jim, Vavi’s “conduct over a protracted period of time has plainly brought Numsa as an organisation in disrepute”. Jim then gives examples of the conduct that Numsa’s NEC considers disreputable, beginning on 18 March 2022. Jim demands that Vavi give written reasons by 9 March why Numsa should not recall him from his position at Saftu, and hints that Numsa may initiate disciplinary action against Vavi. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by James Stent at GroundUp
Former Bergrivier municipal worker accused of pocketing R1.3m from selling electricity tokens News24 reports that a former Western Cape municipal employee has been granted R500 bail for the alleged theft of R1.3 million of electricity. Pieter Jacobus Adams is alleged to have issued more than 700,000 units of free electricity tokens to customers with prepaid meters in exchange for cash. He appeared in the Piketberg Magistrate's Court in the Western Cape on Tuesday, when his case was transferred to the Bellville Specialised Commercial Crime Court for his first appearance on 24 March. Adams has been charged with 473 counts of fraud for allegedly allocating free electricity to households and businesses, thereby pocketing more than R1.3 million paid by the recipients of that electricity. National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson, Eric Ntabazalila, said Adams had been a chief credit control clerk in the Bergrivier Municipality from 1 July 2002 until his resignation on 25 November 2019. "His responsibilities included ensuring that electricity is provided to the correct consumers, adding new prepaid meters to the prepaid system, and submitting any suspected tampering of metering units to the water/electricity department for further investigation," said Ntabazalila. The State alleges that Adams issued electricity to people every month from 2016 to 2019, for which the municipality received no payment. "The State further alleges that Adams issued 'free' replacement tokens to meters which were not replaced, and no documentation could be found for any of the above-mentioned meter numbers," said Ntabazalila. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tshepiso Motloung at News24
Go George bus service conducts test drives for expansion rollout one week after petrol bomb attack News24 reports that test drives ahead of the expansion in the rollout of the Go George bus service to Thembalethu are taking place this week under the watchful eye of police and law enforcement agencies. The purpose of the test drives is to check the time required to complete the proposed routes against the provisional timetables. Last week, passengers were injured when a petrol bomb was hurled at one of the Go George buses in Pacaltsdorp, a day after the announcement that services would soon be extended to the Thembalethu area. Eleven passengers required medical care, with eight people treated for burns and three for shock. Local taxi associations denied that they were involved in the incident. George Municipality and the Western Cape government are offering a reward for information that leads to the conviction of the attackers. George Mayor Leon van Wyk said: “We are abhorred at the atrocious act and want to see those responsible [face] the full brunt of the law. We need the cooperation of the community to come forward with any information that could lead to the conviction of these persons. We cannot and will not allow this type of action to jeopardise the safety of our residents and the operations of our much-needed public bus service." GOOD party ward councillor Theresa Jeyi pleaded with "possibly aggrieved stakeholders" to not resort to violence that puts people's lives at risk. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tammy Petersen at News24 Limpopo police arrest two after mob attack on alleged robbers posing as Bolt drivers TimesLive reports that police in Polokwane have arrested two suspects alleged to be behind the mob murder of alleged bogus Bolt drivers. In February, four men were stripped naked and assaulted in Polokwane streets by community members after allegations that they were renowned for robbing riders while posing as drivers for the e-hailing service provider. They were alleged to have used stolen company profiles. According to police spokesperson Brig Motlafela Mojapelo, one of the victims died of his injuries soon after he was admitted to the hospital. A second victim died after four days in hospital, while a third died after nine days. The fourth victim survived the attack. “The two suspects we arrested are charged with three counts of murder and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm after an incident that occurred on February 14 in which four men were allegedly stripped naked and severely sjamboked in Polokwane. This after they were accused by a group of vigilantes of robbery,” Mojapelo indicated. Mojapelo added that more arrests were possible as police investigations continued. The suspects are scheduled to appear in Polokwane Magistrate's Court on Thursday. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Belinda Pheto at TimesLive
|
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page