In our roundup of weekend news, see
summaries of our selection of South African
labour-related stories that appeared since
Friday, 28 April 2023.
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ANC's Ramaphosa addresses Cosatu May Day rally without disruptions EWN reports that ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa was welcomed on Monday without any disruption at Cosatu's main May Day rally in the Free State. Ramaphosa was able to take to the podium to address the workers gathered at the stadium in Bethlehem. Last year, Ramaphosa was booed and forced to abandon the May day rally, after angry Sibanye-Stillwater workers disrupted the proceedings and refused to allow him to speak. Ramaphosa was then whisked away in a police nyala. This year, Ramaphosa told workers: "Much as Workers' Day is taking place today during a very difficult time for our country, we want to say that, yes, issues such as poverty, unemployment, inequality are challenges that can only be effectively addressed if we, as the alliance, continue working together, if we as the alliance continue holding hands to ensure that the ideals set out in the national democratic revolution are indeed achieved." Workers across the country commemorated May Day, with many unions ventilating issues surrounding working conditions. In KwaZulu-Natal, union federation Saftu held its main event in Durban and paid homage to workers in the city who stood up for their rights. Metalworkers’ union Numsa said that it was unfortunate that the May Day celebrations were against the backdrop of increasing poverty, inequality and unemployment. The union blamed the ANC government for creating the most unequal society in the world. Meantime, Nehawu spokesperson Lwazi Nkolonzi said that workers must unite to fight against what it called capitalist exploitation, poverty wages and growing inequality. "We are celebrating the national Workers' Day against the background of a deepening crisis of capitalism which has resulted in a global crisis of unemployment, high levels of inequality and extreme poverty," he stated. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at EWN. Read too, Cosatu celebrates Workers' Day with clarion call ‘to advance working class struggles’, at News24 Unhappy crowd challenges ANC’s Mashatile at Workers’ Day Saulsville rally The Citizen reports that ANC deputy president Paul Mashatile was met by a tough crowd as he delivered his first Workers’ Day rally at Saulsville Arena in Pretoria on Monday. The event usually attracts thousands of workers, but yesterday, the 4,000-seat hall had rows of empty seats. After the event, Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi refused to speak to The Citizen about the plight of Gauteng workers. “I won’t speak to you because you are a publication of boers. Even if I were to comment, you will write whatever you want. You can write that I waived my right of reply,” Lesufi said. Members of Cosatu, Nehawu, the SA Communist Party and other ANC-affiliated organisations disrupted the programme multiple times, drowning out Mashatile and Lesufi. As Mashatile took to the podium, a large crowd stormed the venue in song, forcing him to stop his address for a while. Mashatile responded that they had heard the cries of the workers and would take their concerns to the president and the party’s highest decision-making body, the national executive committee (NEC). Cosatu Gauteng chair Amos Monyela said the working class was under siege under the current leadership. He threatened to collapse the government if it continued to ignore the plight of the workers and went on to warn: “We are waging war against our government. We are giving you six months to fix the state of our country.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lunga Mzangwe at The Citizen (subscriber access only) Workers still battling poverty and inequality, says Amcu on Workers' Day as it reflects on impact of Marikana massacre TimesLive reports that as the country celebrated Workers’ Day, the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) called for a reset of politics and the economy to create and protect employment. According to the union's president, Joseph Mathunjwa, Workers’ Day in SA has been overtaken by events such as the Marikana massacre, which became a tipping point in the broader nexus of working-class struggles. He said the massacre reflected current struggles for workers who faced difficult working conditions with less bargaining power as the state and capital continued “to tighten screws on employment and slave wages”. Amcu called for Workers' Day to be moved from 1 May to 16 August to reflect the unique South African working-class context. Amcu also demanded a review of the Labour Relations Act to protect workers by encompassing changes brought about by the pandemic. With more and more workers working from home, the legislative framework needed to change to deal with hours of work, time and attendance, discipline and occupational injuries and diseases among other things, it said. Job security, Mathunjwa stated, was threatened by the fourth Industrial Revolution which sought to champion profiteering at the expense of employment creation. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Phathu Luvhengo at TimesLive Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Second body guard to Fort Hare vice-chancellor reportedly killed The Citizen reports that police in the Eastern Cape are working to confirm reports that a second bodyguard for Fort Hare University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sakhela Buhlungu, has been killed in a hit-and-run car crash. The University of Fort Hare (UFH) reportedly confirmed the incident to independent pay-to-air news channel, Newzroom Afrika. Apparently, the deceased, who was the second man hired to provide personal protection to Buhlungu, was on his way to the Alice campus on Sunday morning when the incident took place. He was also rumoured to be a crucial witness in the upcoming murder trial of Buhlungu’s first slain body guard. The hit-and-run comes three months after Buhlungu’s first body guard, Mboneli Vesele, was gunned down in what is suspected to have been an assassination attempt. That shooting took place outside the vice-chancellor’s Alice residence and Buhlungu escaped unharmed. Five suspects have been arrested in connection with the murders of two UFH employees, including Vesele and the institution’s fleet manager Petrus Roets. The suspects include two former UFH employees who are facing multiple charges of murder and attempted murder of employees attached to the university. Read the full original of the report in the above regard compiled by Narissa Subramoney at The Citizen Assassination attempt on Mkhambathini speaker’s life leaves bodyguard dead The Witness reports that Mkhambathini council speaker Thembalikho Gwala survived an assassination attempt when gunmen in two vehicles fired a volley of bullets into his car killing a bodyguard. Gwala and two other bodyguards were not hit in the incident. They were returning from a community meeting in Njobokazi near Eston on Thursday afternoon at around 5 pm when the vehicle came under heavy gunfire. It is Gwala’s belief that an informer at the meeting informed the gunmen of his movements, especially when he left the meeting for home. “As the gunmen sprayed my car with bullets my bodyguards returned fire. My driver lost control and drove into a sugarcane plantation. One of my bodyguards was killed and the other two and myself were not hit. I still don’t know how it is that I was not hit,” said Gwala. He added that the gunmen were carrying AK47s, R5s assault rifles and pistols. However, Gwala does not believe that the attempt on his life was linked to a scramble for leadership positions in the municipality. He has since resolved to beef up his security Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Chris Ndaliso at The Witness. Read too, Bodyguard of KZN municipality's speaker shot dead, at News24
All Truck Drivers Forum disappointed with low turnout for Sunday’s national 'shutdown' EWN reports that All Truck Drivers Forum and Allied SA (ATDF ASA) expressed disappointment at the dismal outcome of its planned national shutdown of roads on Sunday. Last week, the group announced a national strike against what it called safety issues, the use of labour brokers, and the employment of foreign truck drivers. Motorists were warned to avoid major routes and police were placed on high alert amid concerns of violence and road blockades. However, police said there were no disruptions on major routes. ATDF ASA secretary Sifiso Nyathi reported that there had been a number of gatherings around the country. But, Nyathi conceded that they failed to bring about a complete shutdown of SA's main routes: "There was a shutdown, although it’s not successful. But we won’t sit back, we’ll keep on fighting until [there's] zero percent foreigners in trucking." Read the original of the short report in the above regard Bernadette Wicks at EWN. See too, Some incidents of violence reported in KZN in connection with truck drivers' protest, at eNCA. And also, Truck drivers’ protest leads to sporadic disturbances, no major delays, at The Citizen
‘Criminal justice system failing miners’, says Sibanye-Stillwater about scourge of illegal mining Business Times reports that Sibanye-Stillwater says the biggest challenge in combating illegal mining is that SA’s criminal justice system is ill-equipped to prosecute those responsible. In its 2022 annual report released last week, the precious metals producer said surface illegal miners were generally only charged with trespassing and required to pay a R300 admission-of-guilt fine. “Reported incidents of illegal mining are reduced by the bribery, or coercion, of employees, contractors and officials in an effort to have them turn a blind eye to illicit activity in return for the equivalent of up to four months’ salary in cash," the company reported. According to Sibanye, SA’s sociopolitical instability manifested itself through the breakdown of the rule of law and the “wanton disrespect” of property rights. “Illegal mining, and the inability of the authorities to prevent it, is one of the most pernicious manifestations of this,” Sibanye said. With public security services stretched to contain surging levels of crime, the company said it needed to take extra steps to ensure the safety of its employees and assets. Sibanye spokesperson James Wellsted said illegal mining presented a growing material risk for Sibanye's operations. “It seems to be getting worse, and to protect our operations we are compelled to consider all legal measures available to stop the scourge.” In 2022 Sibanye recorded 363 incidents of illegal mining and 1,115 arrests, up from 187 incidents and 473 arrests the previous year. Sibanye charged 200 employees, including contractors, for aiding and abetting illegal miners in 2022, down from 239 in 2021. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Dineo Faku at Business Times (subscriber access only) African Rainbow Minerals appoints a new CEO BL Premium reports that African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) CEO Michael Schmidt stepped down from his position on 1 May, after just more than a decade at the helm. However, he will stay on as the executive in charge of growth & strategic development in the chair’s office. After a comprehensive headhunting process, the board appointed ARM’s COO Velile Phillip Tobias as CEO, subject to approval by the shareholders at the next AGM. Before his COO role, Tobias was the COO of business development, corporate strategy & capital projects at Harmony Gold and held various executive positions at Anglo American Platinum and Gold Fields. ARM chair Patrice Motsepe remarked: “Schmidt provided outstanding leadership as the CEO of ARM and we are grateful for his many years of dedicated service. We are also pleased to welcome Tobias as the new CEO and we are confident that he will contribute to the success and global competitiveness of ARM” Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Katharine Child at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
Refinery Sapref cuts 350 jobs after 'severe' flood damage Fin24 reports that a year after halting operations indefinitely, Sapref has announced the conclusion of a retrenchment agreement with labour. The refinery, which is jointly owned by Shell and BP, halted operations in March last year after it announced it would freeze spending at the largest crude refining facility in the country. A month later, in April, the refinery was hit by extensive flood damage after Durban experienced severe flooding that resulted in Sapref being submerged in up to three meters of water. Given the three to five-year estimated duration for repairs and uncertainties on the future of the refinery, Sapref took the decision to right size the organisation and launched a consultation process with affected staff in October last year. The extensive engagement and consultation ended in January 2023 with 350 employees to be retrenched as compared to the 492 staff members who were initially identified as being potentially affected. Sapref said all employees had been offered psychological care and financial guidance. "Retrenched employees will be given priority consideration in the event of future availability of employment opportunities," the company indicated. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lisa Steyn at Fin24
Former North West health MEC Dr Magome Masike appointed new HPCSA boss News24 reports that Health Minister Joe Phaahla has appointed former North West health MEC Dr Magome Masike as the new CEO of the Health Professions Council of SA (HPCSA). Masike takes over from the former acting CEO and registrar, Dr Thabo Pinkoane, who acted in the position for eight months. Masike assumed his duties on 1 May. Masike is a former MPL in the province, chairperson of the Portfolio Committee for Finance in the Office of the Premier, the council's former chairperson of the Undesirable Business Practice Committee and member of the Audit Committee. According to HPCSA spokesperson Tsatsawane, the appointment was met with optimism for stability in the council. Tsatsawane stated: "The new registrar boasts a wealth of knowledge in the healthcare sector as well as extensive experience in leadership and governance." Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Cebelihle Bhengu at News24
Gauteng Premier deploys 4,000 'crime prevention wardens' onto Gauteng streets News24 reports that at a media event on Friday, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi announced that 4,000 crime prevention wardens would take to the streets, starting on 1 May, to protect residents and fight crime within townships, informal settlements and hostels. He indicated that the much-anticipated Crime Busting Unit had its "own limitations", but that the wardens would graduate on Sunday. The four-month-long process targeted at Gauteng residents was intended to tackle crime which had crippled communities throughout the province, as well as reduce youth unemployment, said Lesufi. As to what the training of the wardens entailed, Lesufi advised: "They got all the necessary training that was needed. I can take you through the areas of training they went through: respect for human rights, efficiency, responsiveness, integrity, and honesty. We are mainly releasing them to provide all the necessary support to the law enforcement agencies." The unit will a conduct a second round of recruitment to reach the proposed target of 6,000 wardens later this year. Lesufi explained that the recruitment programme consisted of verifying the applicants' nationality with the assistance of the Electoral Commission of SA (IEC). The verification of matric certificates and vetting of criminal records were also conducted, along with confirming if applicants resided in Gauteng. Gauteng traffic department spokesperson Sello Maremani said the wardens were well-equipped and trained to handle crime. Lesufi said that the training of the wardens was an ongoing process. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Malaika Ditabo at News24
Two more G4S employees arrested in connection with Thabo Bester's prison escape, bringing total to eight so far EWN reports that police have arrested two more G4S employees in connection with the prison escape of convicted rapist and murderer Thabo Bester. He escaped from the Mangaung prison last May by faking his death in a fire and was re-captured in Tanzania in April. The prison is managed on behalf of the government by a private security firm, G4S. To date, police have arrested eight people in total for aiding and abetting Bester. Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe indicated: "The pair will appear before the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday on a charge of assisting an inmate to escape from lawful custody as well as defeating the ends of justice. The team investigating this case has so far arrested eight suspects and cannot rule out the possibility of effecting more arrests." Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Thabiso Goba at EWN
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