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.
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The electricity state of disaster that wasn’t because crisis measures were ‘already in place’ BL Premium reports that the government has terminated, with immediate effect, the national state of disaster declared less than two months ago over the electricity crisis. The decision was motivated by the fact that measures needed to respond to the electricity crisis had already been in place before the state of disaster was declared, argued deputy minister of co-operative governance & traditional affairs Parks Tau on Wednesday. Tau noted that since the state of disaster was declared on 9 February, a new executive authority had been established to focus on electricity in particular. “The reality is … we don’t need extraordinary measures [to address the electricity crisis]. We have determined that in fact we have the measures in place,” Tau said. Trade union Solidarity and lobby group Outa (the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse), which challenged the state of disaster through court action, said on Wednesday they had received a letter from the Pretoria state attorney announcing that the state of disaster pertaining to the energy crisis and the relevant regulations under the act would be withdrawn. Solidarity and Outa were requested to withdraw their court application to have the state of disaster scrapped. “The withdrawal of the state of disaster less than two months after it being instituted is an indication that Solidarity was right from the outset in contending that the state of disaster was mere political theatre,” Solidarity CEO Dirk Hermann said. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Denene Erasmus at BusinessLive (subscriber access only). Lees ook, Ramptoestand oor krag ‘was nodig’ – regering, by Maroela Media Government says no state of disaster means no need for legal challenges Fin24 reports that, based on a review, government on Wednesday terminated the state of disaster on the energy crisis. It was terminated because no additional powers were required by government to address the energy crisis, said Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Parks Tau. The decision came amid legal challenges – launched by trade union Solidarity and the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) – to have the state of disaster reviewed and set aside. Government had not submitted responding court papers, and dates for the court hearings had not yet been set. But both organisations on Wednesday received notice from the state attorney that the state of disaster would be withdrawn. Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Tau said various considerations were made to end the state of disaster, which included the impending litigation. He indicated: “Of course, we look at litigation and ask yourself, if we don't need a state of disaster, do we need to be in court? If you don't need the state of disaster, you do not then brief senior counsel and say, 'take me to court just so we can be in court.' It doesn't make sense.” Tau said that with the state of disaster falling away, the legal challenge became moot. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lameez Omarjee at Fin24 Electricity Minister says termination of state of disaster will not impede his work to tackle loadshedding TimesLive reports that Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa says the termination of the state of disaster will not impair his work. According to Ramokgopa, he will continue with his job unhindered as the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) gives him room to tackle loadshedding head-on. The government’s ability to procure directly from the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), for instance, was catered for in the Act. This was one of the things that the state of disaster had been earmarked to achieve when it was promulgated. Speaking at a media briefing on Wednesday, Ramokgopa said the Infrastructure Development Act also gave the government space to procure new energy generation capacity outside the state of disaster. “The provisions exist, so you don’t need the Disaster Management Act. You're going to act within this framework, and the point that is being asked is that the removal of the state of disaster is going to undermine the agility, pace and responsiveness of procurement, the answer is an emphatic no,” Ramokgopa stated. His remarks came as the government, through the department of cooperative governance and traditional affairs, announced that it was terminating the state of disaster announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa in his state of nation address just two months ago. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Kgothatso Madisa at TimesLive Other internet posting(s) in this news category
U-turn on Eskom financial reporting exemption is just temporary, Godongwana tells MPs BL Premium reports that Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana indicated on Wednesday that the withdrawal of the notice exempting Eskom from disclosing irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure in its annual financial statements for three years would be temporary while the Treasury engaged with the auditor-general on tighter checks and balances. He anticipated a revised exemption notice under the Public Finance Management Act to be gazetted by the time the audit of Eskom’s financial statements begins in May. The revised exemption will balance the requirements of a sound Eskom balance sheet and fiscal sustainability with the need for transparency and accountability in its financial statements. The withdrawal of the notice – announced in parliament on Wednesday – followed a public uproar, with critics saying the exemption would serve to conceal the corruption that has become rife at Eskom. Members of the five parliamentary committees that met with Godongwana and a Treasury team were unanimous in their condemnation of the exemption, which they said undermined transparency and accountability and would serve to conceal fraud and corruption in Eskom. Committee members welcomed the withdrawal of the exemption. Standing committee on public accounts chair Mkhuleko Hlengwa said the necessary consultations should have taken place before the exemption notice was gazetted. He called for the exemption to be withdrawn “completely and forever”. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Linda Ensor at BusinessLive (subscriber access only) Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Police officer who gunned down pregnant ex-wife at Brits hospital hands himself over to police TimesLive reports that a 39-year-old police sergeant who allegedly gunned down his 35-year-old pregnant ex-wife handed himself over to Brits police on Wednesday morning Allegedly, the police officer, stationed at Rapid Rail in Silverton, Pretoria and residing at Ga-Rankuwa went to Brits hospital where his ex-wife was working. The wife, who worked as a switchboard operator, was at the hospital entrance when the suspect fired several shots and instantly killed her. North West police spokesperson Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said the suspect, who handed himself over to the police after the incident, was expected to appear soon before the Brits Magistrate’s Court.” He advised that the motive for the incident was presently unknown and investigations by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) were under way. North West Health MEC Madoda Sambatha visited the hospital following the incident and observed: “This a gruesome experience. It has shocked the family and our staff. Thanks to the hospital management who acted swiftly to provide counselling and support. I believe the police and other law enforcement agencies will not let the family down but will ensure that justice is served.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Shonisani Tshikalange at TimesLive Two men arrested for ambushing and attempting to murder KZN investigating officers News24 reports that two men were arrested in Vryheid in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) on Tuesday for allegedly ambushing and trying to kill investigating officers linked to the provincial police task team. "The brave police officers returned fire and that compelled the suspects to flee into the nearby bushes. The officers were not harmed, however their colleague (an administration clerk) sustained gunshot wounds [to] both arms and was rushed to hospital for treatment," police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda reported. A search for the suspects began immediately and with the help of the K9 Unit, the men were found. They continued firing more shots at the police before surrendering. An AK-47 assault rifle and two pistols, one of which was licensed, were found in their possession. Netshiunda said a preliminary investigation revealed that a brother of one of the men, who is in custody for the murder of police Sergeant Sakheyedwa Mlambo, was due to appear in court on the same day and one of the officers was opposing his release on bail. Mlambo, who was attached to Vryheid Crime Intelligence, was shot dead in Hwanqana in December 2021. One of the arrested men was also wanted for the murder of Mlambo's father, Bhekuyise, who was shot dead at his home in January 2020. The suspects are scheduled to appear before the Vryheid Magistrate's Court on Thursday on three counts of attempted as well as unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Kaveel Singh at News24 Hero petrol attendant rescues Joburg passengers from burning taxi News24 reports that a petrol attendant has emerged as a hero after rescuing passengers trapped in a taxi that was burning right next to the petrol pumps. After ensuring everyone was safe, 35-year-old Abdullah James rushed to get a fire extinguisher and doused the flames before they could spread. "It all happened so quickly that my first instinct was just to save the people from burning," said James about the 31 March incident, at the Engen Bramley service station in Johannesburg. The taxi had just filled up and was preparing to leave when it burst into flames. In CCTV footage, people can be seen frantically trying to get out of the taxi while its doors seemed to be jammed. People sitting at the back were the first to jump out, while others broke the window of the taxi, leaving shattered glass everywhere. While some people fled, James – who was busy assisting a customer two pumps away – can be seen rushing to the burning taxi to free some of the screaming people trapped inside as smoke quickly engulfed it. James can be seen in the video frantically trying open the taxi door which seems to be stuck. James and his colleagues offered first aid assistance to the injured while waiting for the ambulance to arrive. He commented that it was essential for petrol stations and all businesses to ensure their employees received safety training and indicated: "Every year, we get safety training where we are trained on putting out fires. It came in handy as I was able to help people who were injured in the fire." Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tshepiso Motloung at News24 Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Numsa on strike over 100 retrenchments and pay cuts at automotive company in Gqeberha The Citizen reports that the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) has demanded the immediate reinstatement of all 100 workers who were dismissed at an automotive company based in Gqeberha following failed negotiations at the CCMA in March. The strike action and picket at Tenneco Inc. started on Tuesday. Numsa spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola said that the CCMA facilitation process started at the beginning of this year and collapsed on 31 March 2023. “This entire retrenchment process and conduct of Tenneco management is what has provoked the strike action by Numsa and workers in general. The reason that Tenneco introduced retrenchments was motivated by greed and by their desire to cut wages of ordinary workers by 50%,” said Hlubi-Majola. She went on to indicate: “As part of their rationale, Tenneco management during the CCMA consultation process cited the fact that they want to bring those earning R114 down to R67 in order to address what they call a wage anomaly which has resulted in workers earning different wages.” Numsa said it demanded the immediate reinstatement of all 100 workers who have been dismissed, the rate of R114 per hour for the dismissed workers to be retained and the equalisation of rates for all employees doing the same work at the rate of those earning R114 per hour. The union said the indefinite strike would continue until all demands were met. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Siphumelele Khumalo at The Citizen Intercape says it won’t be affected by bus commuter strike threatened by Numsa Cape Times reports that with the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) having threatened a nationwide bus strike over a wage dispute on the eve of the Easter long weekend, Intercape has indicated it will not be impacted. According to Intercape, the company will be operating as usual over the period as its drivers do not belong to any unions, despite which, “we negotiate fairly when it comes to salary increases and company benefits.” The company said in a statement: “Intercape is aware that members of several unions in the transport industry will be on strike over the Easter weekend, affecting a number of bus operators across the country. We appeal to all those on strike to please refrain from acts of intimidation and violence and to allow our business to operate as normal. In addition, we call on law enforcement agencies across the country to ensure that all activities related to the industrial action take place within the parameters of the law.” The looming strike could have a serious effect on public transport, affecting commuters across the country and also those hoping to travel to neighbouring countries over the long weekend. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Okuhle Hlati at Cape Times
Protest at US embassy on Wednesday by unions, workers from Makro, Game, Builders Warehouse Pretoria News reports that trade unions representing workers employed by American-based companies Walmart and Massmart have called on all patriotic South Africans to boycott the groups’ subsidiary stores because of union bashing and ignoring the plights of workers. On Wednesday, scores of workers from Makro, Game and Builders Warehouse descended upon the American embassy in Pretoria, demanding, among other things, the reinstatement of dismissed workers and for the companies to abide by SA labour laws while negotiating with unions representing workers. Under the leadership of the SA Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers’ Union (Saccawu) and supported by labour federation Cosatu and its affiliates, the unions alleged that the US companies had since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic waged a “serious offensive” on unions and workers. They claimed that the total takeover by Walmart had led to a deterioration in industrial relations wherein draconian measures had replaced cordial industrial relations and had similarly led to the unfair dismissal of almost 600 workers. Darlington Ndlovu, union chairperson at Makro and Saccawu, said the employer was using dismissals as a form of retrenchment simply because workers had demanded a fair increase. Among the worker's demands were agreement to an across-the-board increase of R900 or a 12% increase, a minimum wage of R8,000 per month, and improved commission from 10% to 20% for salespersons. "The message to the American Embassy is that if a company which we gave permission to come to this country is behaving as if it owns the country, it must go back. South Africans must be patriotic about their own country and countrymen and women," Ndlovu explained. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Goitsemang Matlhabe at Pretoria News
Cosatu disappointed with Ramaphosa's broken promise on reversing Eskom tariff increase Fin24 reports that trade union federation Cosatu said on Wednesday that it was disappointing that President Cyril Ramaphosa had not honoured his commitment to organised labour to reverse Eskom's 18% tariff increase, which came into effect on 1 April. Ramaphosa made the commitment in a meeting with the labour caucus of Nedlac in January. He also told various meetings of the ANC that he had asked Eskom to consider halting the price hike. Cosatu said in a statement: “This is deeply disappointing because this increase remains a blow to workers and businesses struggling to survive in an economy still reeling from Covid-19 lockdowns and rampant inflation. We call on the President to honour this important commitment that he made to workers.” At the time, Eskom said that it had not been asked by Ramaphosa to forgo the increase, which it had no authority to do. It noted that only the National Energy Regulator of SA (Nersa) had the authority to preside on Eskom's tariff increase, which, once announced, could only be undone by a court order. In the statement, Cosatu also raised concerns about the ongoing unbundling of Eskom, which it described as "an unnecessary, concealed, and unjustifiable exercise". The federation said the consequence of unbundling would benefit the private sector and increase prices for the working class, but it would also not solve Eskom's problems. Read the full original of the report in the above regard cmpiled by Carol Paton at Fin24
Gauteng woman behind bars for allegedly defrauding her employers of R15 million over five years IOL reports that Lerato Patricia Mufamadi, 40, who is charged with theft and fraud totalling more than R15 million, appeared in the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Tuesday. Captain Lloyd Ramovha, spokesperson for the Hawks in Gauteng, said Mufamadi allegedly stole the money from her employer in Rosebank. “Mufamadi, a former employee of Mine and Metals Group-SA (Pty) Limited, was an executive assistant and office administrator whose responsibilities included petty cash reconciliations and processing of supplier invoices. The Hawks’ serious commercial crime investigation has revealed that for a period of about five years, from May 2017 to October 2021, she fraudulently altered suppliers’ banking details to hers. Invoices were processed for payments that ended up in her bank account for self-gain. Her employer was prejudiced an amount of over R15 million as a result,” Ramovha advised. On Tuesday, the case was postponed until 11 April for a bail application. Mufamadi was remanded in custody. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jonisayi Maromo at IOL Other internet posting(s) in this news category
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