Today's Labour News

TOP STORY – EFF NATIONAL SHUTDOWN

SA army on standby for Monday's planned national shutdown, defence minister assures

City Press reports that Defence Minister Thandi Modise has issued a stern warning to those who take part in the planned national shutdown on Monday that soldiers will be on standby. Speaking during a media briefing of the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster (JCPS) on Thursday, Modise stated: “We are on standby. If there is a weakness in the security cluster, it is that we have allowed people to use social media to plan and intimidate, and we have not followed up. We want to assure you this time we will not let it go. That is the weakness we will accept, that is the weakness we are in the process of remedying.” Modise’s comments followed those of Police Minister Bheki Cele, who assured everyone that next Monday would be business as usual, despite the planned mass protests.   "We want to assure everyone in the country that the 20th of March will be a normal business day. All ports of entry, land, sea and air will be operational," said Cele. He went on to indicate: "Anyone who intimidates, stops anyone from going to work, barricades the roads and highways and uses any form of violence to try and stop our people from going on with their lives will face the full might of the law. We also want to caution against the spreading of messages of fear, intimidation or inflammatory statements that could incite violence. This is a criminal offence. We are aware of many social media accounts claiming that hundreds and thousands of followers are being mobilised to support the protest."

Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Abram Mashego at City Press (subscriber access only). Read too, Ramaphosa warns EFF anarchy will not be tolerated, at BusinessLive. En ook, Cele waarsku betogers oor #NationalShutdown, by Maroela Media

Sacci says shutdown is clear abuse of political process, while Solidarity demands that employers remain open

Business Report writes that the SA Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Sacci) was warned that a national shutdown will not achieve any positive objective. Noting the call for a shutdown by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), the business body pointed out on Thursday that the country was facing significant headwinds and said that, “whilst the right to peaceful protest is enshrined in our constitution, this right cannot be exercised at the detriment of others.”   Sacci added: “Our challenges of economic growth, unemployment, poverty, and inequality cannot be resolved by resorting to extra parliamentary and negligent political action that disrupts economic activity. We also urge the organisers to do everything in their power to condemn the apparent intimidation and threats of looting businesses and interfering with those who choose not to participate in the shutdown.”   Meanwhile, Solidarity said that its members would work on Monday and demanded that employers should remain open.   The trade union said it had sent letters to more than 1,200 companies where it was represented in which it indicated that its members would show up for work on Monday and employers were expected to remain open so that Solidarity members could work. Dr Dirk Hermann, Chief Executive of Solidarity, pointed out that Solidarity members had a contractual duty to work and the employer had a duty to provide work in a safe and responsible way. According to Hermann, Solidarity members would offer their services and employers could not send them on compulsory leave or close office and not pay them for it. In its letter, Solidarity encouraged employers to hold Julius Malema in person and the EFF civilly liable, for any damages caused.

Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ashley Lechman at Business Report. Lees ook, Solidariteit oor #NationalShutdown: ‘Ons sal werk’, by Maroela Media

If people are not at work on Monday, it’s not due to EFF’s call but because of Tuesday’s holiday, minister asserts

BL Premium reports that Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni asserted on Thursday that the EFF should not claim an easy victory if there was a mass stayaway from work on Monday as many people would take the day off ahead of Tuesday’s public holiday to have a long weekend. Tuesday is Human Rights Day. “People should not be fooled. If people are not at work [on Monday] it is not because of the shutdown or calls for protest for people not to go to work. If people are not at work its because people have long planned that they are going on holiday with their families,” Ntshavheni said at a post-cabinet media briefing on Thursday. The security cluster is preparing action plans to deal with the day of protests called by the EFF against load-shedding, unemployment and the high cost of living, and to call for the resignation of President Cyril Ramaphosa.   SA’s security services have been place on high alert to prevent a repeat of the July 2021 riots, which devastated businesses in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. Ntshavheni, along with ministers in the justice, crime prevention and security cluster briefed the media on government’s plans to deal with the protest.   “Attempts to cause disruption and disturbances in the country will be met with the full might of the law. We must also clarify that no amount of political adventurism should sway any South African,” Ntshavheni said.

Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Linda Ensor at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)

NEHAWU WAGE STRIKE

Union ends strike, returns to negotiating table after deal with government

GroundUp reports that negotiations between National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) representatives and the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) continued on Thursday, according to the union. The Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) announced on Wednesday that the parties had reached an agreement, bringing to an end a nationwide wage strike. The Council said in a statement that the settlement included the end of hostilities between all parties and a return to work. Issues arising from the 2022-23 wage dispute would be dealt with as part of the 2023-24 wage negotiations, and a minimum service level agreement would be concluded. The 2022-23 wage increases were at the heart of Nehawu’s strike action. The union refused the 3% wage increase offered by the government for that year and went on strike calling for at least a 10% increase. The text of the PSCBC agreement has not yet been released to the public. The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru), the Democratic Nursing Organisation of SA (Denosa) and the SA Policing Union (Sapu) were also part of the agreement to return to negotiations.   The Nehawu strike commenced on 6 March and affected clinics and hospitals across the country. Some hospitals shut down.

Read the original of the report in the above regard by Liezl Human at GroundUp. Lees ook, Nehawu-staking verby, by Maroela Media

No gain for public sector strikers after bitter wage strike

Fin24 reports that writes that striking public servants who have agreed to return to work have not won a further salary increase and will face deductions on pay for the next four months as the no-work, no-pay rule is implemented. The 3% cost-of-living increase, which the government had offered before the strike, has already been implemented for all employees in the public sector.   The only concession on pay to striking trade unions is that they will be permitted to raise historic issues from the 2022/23 wage settlement in talks on the 2023/24 financial year.   But there is no guarantee any further concessions will be made, particularly as negotiations for the new year are already close to conclusion. A second concession is that no disciplinary action will be taken against employees for participating in the illegal strike. Deductions for no work, no pay will be staggered over the next four months. The settlement between the striking unions – which included Nehawu and Popcru – and the government states: “This agreement is a full and final settlement of the disputes that emanated from the negotiations on the bettering of conditions of service for the 2022/2023 financial year…Parties agree that trade unions will have the right to table proposed additions… to address their concerns… as part of the 2023/24 wage negotiations.” The striking unions will now join the process to negotiate the 2023/24 wage settlement, which they boycotted up until now.

Read the original of the report in the above regard by Carol Paton at Fin24

E-HAILING PROTEST

Uber and Moove seek solution after traffic jam protest on M1 highway on Wednesday afternoon

TimesLive reports that Uber SA says it is aware of the concerns raised by a small group of drivers on the Uber platform who “rent to-own” vehicles from ‘vehicle solutions company’ Moove. This after a motorcade protest on Wednesday afternoon by some e-hailing drivers, which caused lengthy delays for motorists. The e-hailing operators protested in a drive-slow motorcade on the M1 north and N1 south. Uber SA’s Mpho Sebelebele, said: “Vehicle-solution companies assist drivers to access vehicles for rental only or for rent-to-own purposes. We are engaging with Moove to assess the issues and encourage them to find workable solutions with drivers. We recognise drivers as independent contractors and are available to listen to their concerns and provide support.” According to Moove, after a misunderstanding regarding its drive-to-own contract, several round-table meetings were held with its customers. The company said it had recently agreed on a way forward. “We are always willing to engage with customers. Through our Drive-to-Own (DTO) programme, Moove has created thousands of jobs and we are fully committed to our customers and SA.   We will continue to work hard for our customers and listen to their needs and concerns,” it indicated.

Read the original of the report in the above regard by Shonisani Tshikalange at TimesLive

COST OF LIVING

Eskom’s 18.65% hike has been tabled in Parliament, opening way for 1 April implementation

Mining Weekly reports that the average tariff increase for various categories of Eskom customers arising from the National Energy Regulator of SA’s (Nersa’s) recent allowable revenue decision has been tabled in Parliament, as is required for those increases to be legally implemented on 1 April. On 12 January, Nersa approved revenue of R318-billion for the state-owned utility for 2023/24 and R352-billion for 2024/25. Translated into increases in Eskom’s standard tariffs, these revenue increases amount to a hike of 18.65% for this financial year and 12.74% in 2024/25. In its tabling to Parliament, Eskom indicated that Nersa approved a tariff hike of 18.65% for most tariff categories, together with an average increase for municipal customers of 18.49% with effect from 1 July 2023. However, the hike for Homelight 20A customers, or poor residential customers, will be been limited to 10%. Eskom will now publish a tariff book on its website to provide more detail on what increases will be implemented from 1 April, which will also affect the municipal adjustment from 1 July. The implementation of the tariff hike on 1 April is not going to be affected by legal challenges to the hikes, after the DA and the Tebelia Institute withdrew their respective applications for urgent interdicts against the implementation of the increases. An urgent aspect of an UDM-led case, with a focus on loadshedding, will proceed next week in the Gauteng High Court.

Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Mining Weekly

DISPUTED QUALIFICATIONS

Amid degree fraud saga, Noxolo Kiviet remains in Cabinet as Ramaphosa waits for outcome of SIU probe

News24 reports that President Cyril Ramaphosa will not be removing Public Service and Administration Minister Noxolo Kiviet from his Cabinet amid allegations that she holds two fraudulently acquired degrees from the University of Fort Hare. Instead, he will wait for the conclusion of a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) probe into allegations of a degree-conferring scam. This comes after the Eastern Cape university submitted an affidavit to the SIU alleging that Kiviet had registered and obtained her honours and master's in public administration without a junior degree.   The affidavit, signed by a senior official of the university, was submitted as part of evidence to the SIU, which is investigating an alleged degree-conferring scam at the university.   It was Ramaphosa who authorised the SIU investigation after the university's current vice-chancellor, Professor Sakhela Buhlungu, reported fraud, allegedly under his predecessors, to the president. In a document to the SIU, the university claimed that when Kiviet registered for her honours, she was only in possession of a matric certificate and had a non-credit-bearing short-course certificate with handwritten results.   Kiviet has denied the allegations.   She served as the premier of the Eastern Cape from 2009 to 2014. She also served as the speaker of the Eastern Cape legislature.

Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Malibongwe Dayimani at News24

DISMISSALS

International Trade Union Confederation demands Massmart reinstate some 400 workers

BusinessLive reports that the International Trade Union Confederation (Ituc) has called on retailer Massmart to unconditionally reinstate nearly 400 employees it fired for striking over a pay increase. The Ituc, which represents 200-million workers in 168 countries including SA, said Massmart’s conduct breached the UN’s sustainable development goals on decent work and economic growth.   Massmart owns brands including Game, Makro and Builders Warehouse. In a letter dated 15 March to Massmart CEO Jonathan Molapo, Ituc’s Owen Tudor said the confederation was deeply concerned that the company, owned by US retail giant Walmart, had elected to bypass SA laws on dispute settlement and resorted to “victimising workers for exercising their rights to freedom of association and expression”. Makro employees affiliated to the SA Commercial Catering and Allied Workers Union (Saccawu) embarked on strike in December 2022 to demand a pay increase, but the company refused to increase its offer of 4.5%.   Saccawu’s Sithembele Tshwete said about 379 workers from Makro stores were dismissed about two weeks ago, while about 140 were suspended. The union is challenging the “unfair dismissals” and suspensions at the CCMA and is waiting for a date. Massmart’s Brian Leroni said the dismissals, which were implemented in March, followed a three month long investigation and a disciplinary inquiry that included opportunity for Saccawu to make representations. He said the disciplinary process had been “in every respect substantively and procedurally fair”. He added: “These dismissals could have been avoided if the union and the Makro shop stewards had responded to our repeated requests on the days of the strike, to ask picketing employees to stop behaving unlawfully.”

Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinessLive

'Dangerous' special-needs school teacher fired after severely assaulting colleague

News24 reports that the Education Labour Relations Council has upheld a decision by the Western Cape Education Department to fire a teacher who severely assaulted her colleague, leaving her injured and semi-conscious. The victim's three-year-old child witnessed the attack. The teacher, Lulama Gagela, who has a history of violence, took the matter to the council, claiming the dismissal had been unfair.   However, the council arbitrator, Arthi Singh-Bhoopchand, said the department had dismissed Gagela to protect the school's best interests and the learning environment. "It is evident that this is not the first time that the applicant [Gagela] has transgressed. It is unlikely that training and instruction will result in her not repeating the misconduct. The misconduct is in any event too serious given that it impacts on the safety of fellow educators," said Singh-Bhoopchand. Gagela and her colleague, identified only as Ms Sonkqayi, worked at Khayelitsha Special School – a facility for children with special education needs. Gagela, a traditional healer, is a qualified sangoma and Sonkqayi was an initiate under Gagela's tutelage. Gagela was found to have severely assaulted Sonkqayi, who had to have multiple surgeries and was out of work for six weeks.

Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tshepiso Motloung at News24

CAPE TOWN MAYCO SUSPENSION

City of Cape Town Human Settlements Mayco member suspended after police raid on his office

News24 reports that City of Cape Town Human Settlements Mayco member Malusi Booi has been suspended after the police raided his office on Wednesday. On Thursday, Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis advised that he had suspended Booi with immediate effect. He reported: "The SAPS informed me this morning that the investigation is at an early stage but is potentially serious and relates to alleged fraud and corruption and that further details cannot be disclosed at this time. As a result, I have suspended councillor Booi from his position on the mayoral committee." Hill-Lewis has appointed James Vos as the acting Mayco member for human settlements. He went on to state: I have further assured the SAPS of the City's full support in the ongoing investigation. The City has a zero-tolerance approach to fraud and corruption and will not hesitate to act in the interests of good governance.” Apparently, the police swooped in on Booi's offices and took his phone, staff members' devices and documents. No one was arrested. Police spokesperson Andrè Traut said the operation was part of an investigation into fraud and corruption.

Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Marvin Charles at News24

ALLEGED CORRUPTION / FRAUD

Senior official implicated in Eastern Cape driving licence 'fraud' transferred to another unit

City Press reports that a senior official in the Eastern Cape transport department has been transferred to a different unit after allegedly sitting on an investigative report into a syndicate that fraudulently gained access to government's national driving licence issuing system. The move has allegedly caused panic within the department and the department’s director for admin and licensing Gopolang Masike, who was allegedly sitting on the report, was transferred early this month from the headquarters in Qonce (formerly King William’s Town) to the scholar transport unit in East London pending investigation into the allegations against him. Although Eastern Cape transport department spokesperson Unathi Binqose said the department was unaware of the Hawks' investigation, he said they were aware that a whistleblower within the department had opened a criminal case with the Hawks. He confirmed that Masike had been temporarily transferred to scholar transport as a precautionary measure to allow an investigation to proceed without interference and hindrance. According to reports seen by City Press, officials with the department and Ndlambe Local Municipality in Alexandria and Port Alfred allegedly colluded since 2013 to allow unqualifying traffic officers to have access to the National Traffic Information Systems (NaTis). The department renders NaTis-related services, which include applications, processing and issuing of learner and driving licences. Some of the officials implicated in the reports were found to have committed similar instances of fraud and corruption at the Komga licensing department in the Great Kei municipality in 2018. It remains unclear whether the alleged syndicate did so to sell driving licences.

Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Msindisi Fengu at City Press (subscriber access only)

COMMUTING / TRANSPORT

At last Prasa partly opens Cape Town’s Central Line from Nyanga to Maitland

GroundUp reports that after a long wait, commuters will at last be able to use a train from Nyanga to Cape Town on Monday, when the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) resumes service on part of the Central Line.   The new blue trains will run from Nyanga to Maitland and back, and commuters wishing to go to Cape Town will have to change trains at Maitland. The trains will stop at all stations on the way to Maitland except Netreg, where extensive damage to the station still has to be repaired. A new blue train was tested on the route on Wednesday. Regional engineering manager Raymond Maseko advised that for now the train would not run all the way to Cape Town as final repairs were necessary to the line between Woodstock and Cape Town to prepare for the extra load. “Once that section is fixed we will then be able to run all the trains all the way to Cape Town,” he indicated. “After Nyanga the next line we are opening is the Northern Line, from Eerste River to Strand, and from Eerste River to Muldersvlei,” Maseko said. A limited service has been running between Eerste River and Bellville since January.   Except for a brief period, the Central line has been suspended since 2018 and completely closed since October 2019. This was the busiest line in Cape Town, serving the poorest communities, and used to serve Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain.

Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tariro Washinyira at GroundUp

ARTICLES OF INTEREST

• What would happen if SA's electricity grid collapsed, at Fin24
• Munisipale beamptes en spookwerker aangekeer, by Maroela Media