In our Tuesday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South African
labour-related reports.
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Up to 700 junior management jobs under threat at Pick n Pay Fin24 reports that Pick n Pay has embarked on a retrenchment process that could affect up to 700 junior management jobs. The retailer confirmed on Monday it was in the early stages of a retrenchment programme, which is currently before the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration. David North, chief business transformation officer at Pick n Pay, indicated that the retailer could not release any numbers on potential job losses as it was still consulting with staff, but up to 700 junior manager jobs could apparently be affected. Pick n Pay has some 90,000 employees. North said the company was "modernising" its store management structures, removing roles which were no longer required. "But we are also creating new roles that provide greater service and flexibility in our stores. While some roles will no longer be required, others will be created. Overall more jobs will be created in stores than exist at present. If staff are prepared to be flexible about [their] roles, then there may well be jobs for them and there will be more jobs overall than there were at the beginning of the process,” North pointed out. Separately, the company is in the process of a voluntary severance programme, which North said Pick n Pay had in recent years undertaken every two to three years and was "not to be confused" with the retrenchment process. North could not give any numbers on staff who had asked to take voluntary retrenchment packages, adding that applications had only just closed. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nick Wilson at Fin24
'It is not safe at all', say Cape Town social workers as they come under attack while trying to help people at home News24 reports that Cape Town social workers want to help people in their homes, but are being attacked in certain areas, leaving the provincial social development department concerned. Social Development MEC Sharna Fernandez reported that in the course of conducting their work, social workers were faced with verbal and physical attacks from members of the public. "Criminals also target government infrastructure like vehicles and buildings in hotspots," Fernandez indicated. The areas of concern include Khayelitsha, Philippi, Nyanga, and Gugulethu, with recent attacks having occurred between 27 and 31 March. Social workers have reported being assaulted and hijacked, and have faced numerous break-ins at the social development building in Atlantis. Noluvu Volufu, a social worker at the department, indicated that working and conducting home visits in areas such as Nyanga and Gugulethu put their safety at risk. "It is not safe at all. Last year, two social workers conducting home visits at Old Crossroad were robbed of their cellphones, and the car was stolen," she reported. Volufu recalled a traumatic experience when she was robbed at knifepoint in 2017 during a home visit. She indicated that home visits had decreased to avoid social workers risking safety, and they did more desk and office work with community members. Social workers frequently approach the SA Police Service (SAPS) to escort them into dangerous areas, but police are often short-staffed. The provincial social development department said "a whole-of-society approach" was needed. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lisalee Solomons & Na'ilah Ebrahim at News24
Bullets fly in Ekurhuleni suburbs as zama zamas’ turf war threatens residents’ lives Sunday Times reports that an intensifying turf war between groups of zama zamas is threatening the lives of residents who stay across from the Simmer and Jack Landfill in Germiston, Ekurhuleni. Over the past few months, some of the residents have had to rely on security companies and community policing forum patrollers to escort them to their homes, as they fear for their lives due to daily gunshots. Natalie Meachan, a resident of Simmerfields suburbs about 60 metres from the landfill site, likens the area to a “little war zone”. She indicated: “They have these fights every other week or every second week. I am not sure what kind of guns they use, but they are very loud. They wake everybody at night when they are fighting in the dump site. It is not safe for any of us residents who are in the area. We are very scared, we don’t go outside when we hear them [gunshots]. We lock our doors, hide in the houses, that’s all we do — we can’t fight them either. On one occasion we saw a group of about 20 zama zamas fighting and shooting at each other and screaming.” Mike Robinson from Spider Tactical Response, a security company in the area, said the turf war had been going on for a few years, but had intensified in the past year. Robinson’s company is one of the security companies that escort residents to their homes. He said residents from Primrose and Simmerfields were the most affected. City of Ekurhuleni spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said it was a matter of concern and they had been working closely with the police to ensure they continued to patrol the area and monitor the situation. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Phathu Luvhengo at Sunday Times (subscriber access only) Former mineworkers in the Eastern Cape urged to apply for disease compensation Mining Weekly reports that the Eastern Cape provincial government will, together with three national departments, be embarking from 18 to 21 April on an outreach programme to former mineworkers in the OR Tambo and Chris Hani district municipalities. The outreach will aim to provide former miners with a one-stop-shop service to claim for outstanding benefits. The programme will start at the Ngqeleni Methodist Church on 18 April before moving to the Libode Town Hall on 19 April and the eNgcobo Indoor Sports Centre on 20 and 21 April. The programme will include screening, verification, medical examination and payment of benefits to eligible former mineworkers who have contracted tuberculosis or silicosis while working at various mines between March 1965 and October 2019. The outreach will be implemented with various mining industry stakeholders to enable eligible former mineworkers or their beneficiaries to submit claims for compensation. Government has urged claimants to bring all relevant documents such as their identity documents, employment cards and service records from their former employers, as well as available medical records, death certificates, if relevant, and autopsy reports, if available. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Mining Weekly Other labour / community posting(s) relating to mining
Other general posting(s) relating to mining
Derek Hanekom appointed interim SAA chair and seven other interim board members installed BL Premium reports that public enterprises minister Pravin Gordhan has appointed a new eight-member interim board for the national carrier SAA, with former tourism minister Derek Hanekom taking up the post of chairperson. Acting CEO and non-executive director John Lamola remains in his position. Gordhan said in a statement that the newly appointed interim board was “highly skilled and diverse” and brought together an “exceptional team of experts with experience across various fields”. Their appointment, he said, marked a “significant step forward in the national carrier’s ongoing transformation”. Gordhan added that Hanekom, as a former tourism minister, had a deep understanding of the aviation industry’s crucial role in promoting travel and economic growth. The appointments were effective from 15 April and will continue until SAA’s proposed strategic equity partner, the Takatso Consortium, acquire a 51% stake. The long-delayed transaction is undergoing regulatory review. Priorities facing the new interim board will include implementing cost-saving measures, expanding route networks, elevating customer satisfaction, and expediting all requisite regulatory preparations to ensure a seamless transition as the Takatso Consortium assumes its role as majority shareholder. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Linda Ensor at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
How menstrual leave could work in SA Leila Moosa of Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr writes that as the emphasis on diversity and inclusion in workplaces gains momentum globally, some employers have elected to provide their employees with the benefit of menstrual and menopause leave. Spain recently approved legislation that entitles relevant workers, who have medical approval, to menstrual leave. The list of nations that legally recognise menstrual leave in some form include Japan, Indonesia, Taiwan and Vietnam. While the SA government and the labour environment more broadly have yet to consider the implementation of menstrual leave or leave entitlements aligned with physiological fluxes such as menopause, the introduction of menstrual leave is said to be a welcome and progressive enhancement of workplace accommodations that recognise forms of temporary incapacity, due to biological processes, such as dysmenorrhea, that affect women. This advances gender equality and normalises menstruation in the workplace and the effects it may have on women. Moosa points out that if an employer is considering implementing a menstrual leave benefit, it is important that it considers all the relevant factors. An employer will need to determine what would be a reasonable leave entitlement and whether this entitlement can be accumulated monthly. Whether an employee will require medical approval to access the leave will also need to be determined. Given that the nature of the leave has implications on privacy issues, employers must be both sensitive to and cautious around requirements for an employee to confirm menstruation or gender identity. Also, employers should guard against the possibility that menstrual leave may reinforce false and sexist positions relating to workplace productivity and people who take menstrual leave should not be prejudiced in terms of promotion and work opportunities due to an increase in time off from work. Read Leila Moosa’s full article at Fin24
Stellenbosch University council appoints committee to probe nepotism claims against vice-chancellor News24 reports that on Monday, Stellenbosch University's council decided to appoint a committee to probe allegations of nepotism against vice-chancellor Professor Wim de Villiers. Acting council chairperson Dr Nicky Newton-King confirmed that a motion in terms of the university's statute to dismiss De Villiers was tabled during the council meeting. The motion was placed on the agenda by the DA's Stellenbosch constituency head and council member Leon Schreiber and seconded by Jan Heunis, the president of the university's convocation. The council agreed the matter should first be referred to a council committee of three people, of which one would be an independent legal professional. The committee will investigate the facts underlying the motion, including allegations of nepotism and a possible breach of related rules in relation to De Villiers' discretionary placement of family members at the university. It was reported earlier this month that De Villiers had used his discretionary right to secure a place for his wife's nephew at the university's medical school. The council also decided to review the vice-chancellor’s discretionary placement policy in its totality. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Marvin Charles at News24
Former UCT vice-chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng takes early retirement as maths education professor News24 reports that according to University of Cape Town (UCT) council chairperson Babalwa Ngonyama, former vice-chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng has decided to retire early from her position as professor in the school of education. In a statement addressed to staff and students on Monday, Ngonyama advised that Phakeng had been due to retire as a UCT professor on 30 March 2024. "However, she has since elected to take early retirement as a professor in the school. The early retirement took effect as from 1 April 2023. Council has noted Professor Phakeng's departure from UCT," Ngoyama noted. Phakeng's last day as UCT vice-chancellor was on 3 March. Phakeng is being investigated for allegedly misleading the senate about the true reasons for the early departure of deputy vice-chancellor Lis Lange last year and an independent panel was appointed to look into allegations of poor governance. Meanwhile, it was reported on Sunday that President Cyril Ramaphosa had appointed Phakeng to the 11-member national orders advisory council. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Marvin Charles at News24
Windfall for pensioners 20 years after Joint Municipal Pension Fund’s near collapse BL Premium reports that the Joint Municipal Pension Fund (JMPF), a defined benefit pension fund for municipal workers of the old Transvaal province, is to pay its remaining pensioners a once-off bumper increase two decades after it almost collapsed. The fund that is almost 100 years old approved a 7.5% increase for its remaining 1,100 pensioners at its AGM at the end of March. That inflationary increase means the fund will effectively pay pensioners a once-off special increase of 22.3%, which includes a 7.5% inflation adjustment as compensation for the lack of increases during the fund's prior troubled years. The 22.3% increase will be made at the end of April 2023. “This is quite a strong example of how focused attention in the retirement fund space can ensure that you have a solidly constructed investment plan that pays off over time,” commented Monika Kraushaar, the fund’s investment consultant from RisCura Solutions. She went on to say: “A very strong collaboration between the fund’s trustees and their appointed service providers has ensured that a bespoke solution could be created for the fund, which has supported the significant turnaround in the funding level as well as consistently strong investment growth over time.” The JMPF lost 44% of its capital in late 2002 after brokerage WJ Morgan & Associates made a series of disastrous investments in maize futures on behalf of the fund. The JMPF reportedly lost almost R2bn, resulting in it having to reduce benefits of its pensioners and members. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Garth Theunissen at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
NPA seizes assets of R165m from KZN businessman, former provincial police commissioner and others News24 reports that the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) has seized assets belonging to KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) businessman Thoshan Panday and his ex-wife, former provincial commissioner Lieutenant-General Mmamonnye Ngobeni. In a statement, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said the Investigating Directorate (ID) had been granted a provisional restraint order of R165 million against Panday, Ngobeni and seven others. The court order was executed on Monday morning in and around Durban. The other defendants whose assets were restrained were former police members Colonel Navin Madhoe and Captain Ashwin Narainpershad, as well assets belonging to Panday’s mother, ex-wife, brother-in-law, sister and assistant. The order is linked to a criminal case in the Durban High Court, in which an alleged criminal syndicate is accused of defrauding the SA Police Service (SAPS) of over R47 million before and during the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup. The State alleges that the three former police officers manipulated the procurement process to allow them to procure accommodation for SAPS members “on an urgent basis and at inflated rates” only days before the World Cup was due to start. Panday’s company was also awarded around 80% of the accommodation order for the World Cup at higher rates than other bidders. The accused face fraud, corruption, forgery, bribery, and money laundering charges. The case is expected to return to court on 25 August. Read the full original of the report in the above regard compiled by Nicole McCain at News24 Free State couple allegedly used employee's name, without his consent, to open a company News24 reports that a Free State couple allegedly used an employee's name to open a company and make him the director, without his consent. After handing themselves over to the Hawks, Johannes Lotter and Chantele Lotter appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court on Monday on charges of fraud and forgery. They were granted bail of R20,000 each. Free State Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Fikiswa Matoti said Lotter, the owner of Dirk Lotter Transport, registered Sebete Transport as another company. Lotter then allegedly registered an employee of his at Dirk Lotter Transport as the new company's director, without his consent. "The complainant was ordered to sign documents without a chance to read and understand the documents. After the complainant discovered that he was registered as a director of the company, he questioned his employer about his position and role in the new company," Matoti reported. The employee was later dismissed for asking about his position at Sebete Transport. "Further information revealed that his signature was forged as if he had resigned from the company," Matoti indicated. After the employee was dismissed, Chantele became the owner of Sebete Transport. The matter was postponed to 19 May for further investigation. Read the original of the report in the above regard by Tshepiso Motloung at News24
Prasa trains safe for passengers to ride again, says regulator as it grants 29-month permit The Citizen reports that the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) has been deemed safe by the Railway Safety Regulator (RSR) to operate as a commercial mode of transport. Prasa Group CEO Hishaam Emeran expressed pleasure that the RSR had finally granted it an operating permit, which was valid for 29 months, as it now afforded the business operational certainty. “It also allows us to focus on our accelerated corridor recovery program to bring back more trains along key routes,” he indicated. Emeran explained that Prasa had been able to satisfy the requirements set out by the RSR and, accordingly, was now authorized to carry out its railway operations in accordance with the National Railway Safety Regulator Act of 2002. A safety permit is mandatory for all railway operators and the RSR requires railway operators to have a documented Safety Management System. The holder of the Safety Permit must have demonstrated, amongst other things, the capability to mitigate identified risks and achieve set safety goals and objectives. In 2018, Prasa had been given a deadline by the RSR to furnish reasons as to why its safety permit should be retained after two trains collided in Kempton Park injuring 320 people. Read the full original of the report in the above regard compiled by Devina Haripersad at The Citizen. Read too, RSR issues 29-month operating permit for Prasa, at Engineering News
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