In our Friday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South African
labour-related reports.
|
Putco buses to hit the road again on Friday after ‘high level talks’ with Gauteng government BusinessLive reports that Putco bus services will resume on Friday after high-level talks between the company, the Gauteng roads and transport department and Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi on Thursday. More than 230,000 passengers were stranded when the company halted its operations on Thursday due to a diesel shortage. Putco said it had not received subsidies from the provincial department needed to operate its fleet of 1,400 buses after diesel stocks ran low on Wednesday. The company spends R61.4m monthly on fuel. The halt to Putco operations came barely three weeks after the bus sector signed a 7% pay increase deal for the 35,000 workers employed in the industry in April. After the high-level talks on Thursday, Putco MD Franco Pisapia told reporters that the company did not have enough money because of long-term “underfunding” of contracts entered into with the provincial government. “Most bus companies find themselves in the same predicament. The fuel price has [increased] 110% in the last period and that has affected all bus companies,” Pisapia said. Gauteng roads and transport MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela said her department had engaged all bus operators in the province and was “finalising negotiations” as it wanted to ensure an affordable and reliable bus service for the people of Gauteng. Lesufi acknowledged challenges facing the sector and made an undertaking the issue would be resolved. Earlier on Thursday, a department of roads & transport spokesperson said the department’s payment to Putco for March had been captured and would only reflect in Putco’s bank account on Monday. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinessLive. Read too, Putco to resume operations on Friday following meeting with Gauteng government, at The Citizen Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Man accused of killing Eastern Cape court orderly in hospital after shooting at Anti-Gang Unit News24 reports that a man accused of stabbing a member of the public and shooting a court orderly dead at the Motherwell Magistrate's Court on Wednesday is fighting for his life in hospital after Anti-Gang Unit members shot him. It is alleged that Andile Nyoka, 26, stabbed someone outside before he entered the court building, grabbed a firearm from the waist of the orderly, 42-year-old Sergeant Mario Angelique Nel, and fired a single gunshot at him. The orderly died at the scene. Nel, a police officer for 17 years, had been putting up the court rolls for the day when Nyoka approached from behind and grabbed his service pistol. A police incident report reveals that Nel wrestled with Nyoka to regain control of the firearm, which was pulled out of his holster causing the retention cord to break. Nyoka shot Nel before fleeing with the firearm. He used the firearm to force a taxi driver at gunpoint to drive him away from the scene. The driver jumped out of the taxi at a traffic intersection three streets from the court building. Nyoka then saw members of the Anti-Gang Unit driving by, and he fired shots at them, triggering an exchange of gunfire. He was wounded in the process and is under police guard in hospital. Commuters in the taxi were not injured. Nyoka faces charges of murder, armed robbery and hijacking. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Malibongwe Dayimani at News24 (subscriber access only) Four gunmen on the run after shooting doctor dead at his private practice in Gqeberha on Wednesday News24 reports that Eastern Cape police have launched a manhunt for four people who shot and killed a doctor inside his private medical practice in Gqeberha on Wednesday night. The victim has been identified as Bantu Noqekwa. Police spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge said that shortly after 19:00, four armed men went into the doctor's surgery in Njoli Street, Zwide, and shot the victim in the head. "He died on the scene, then [the men] left the scene and, at this point, it is unknown what the motive for the killing is," Beetge indicated. The murder is under investigation. "The health sector is poorer for this senseless and callous killing as it has robbed the community of the Eastern Cape a fine general practitioner. He was a source of healing to those he served," health MEC Nomakhosazana Meth said. According to the department, a robbery occurred on Wednesday night at another doctor's practice in the same area. "We are comforted that his [the other doctor's] life was spared, though [we] can empathise with the trauma associated with such an experience," the MEC said. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lisalee Solomons at News24 Five suspects accused of killing two University of Fort Hare staffers apply for bail News24 reports that the bail applications of five men accused of the murders of University of Fort Hare (UFH) fleet manager Petrus Roets and the vice-chancellor's bodyguard Mboneli Vesele commenced in the Dimbaza Magistrate's Court in the Eastern Cape on Thursday. One of the accused, Bongani Peter, a suspended chief transport officer at the university, testified during his application that a co-accused, Wanini Khuza, had asked around seeking Roets' address. Khuza had retired but had returned to work at the university. Roets died in a hail of bullets on 19 May 2022 while on his way home from the Alice campus. At the time, Roets' murder was thought to be linked to a clampdown on corruption within the university's fleet network. Vesele, who had been Buhlungu's bodyguard, was killed on 6 January when gunmen opened fire on the vice-chancellor's vehicle at his home in Alice. Buhlungu, who was not in the vehicle, was taken to a safe house. In the dock with Peter and Khuza was a former student at the university, Sicelo Mbulawa, who ran a car repair workshop that did business with the UFH's fleet department, as well as Mthobisi Khanyile and Mthobisi Dlamini Zondo. Peter faces a string of charges, including the murders of Roets and Vesele, the attempted murders of Buhlungu and his office manager Nozuko Mabombo, as well as fraud and corruption. Mbulawa and Khuza have been charged with the murder of Roets, fraud and corruption. Khanyile and Dlamini Zondo have been charged with the murders of Roets and Vesele, the attempted murders of Buhlungu, Mabombo and Professor Renuka Vithal, as well as the possession of a firearm and ammunition. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Malibongwe Dayimani at News24 Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Froneman’s R110m pay cut was due to a fall in Sibanye’s share price, not restraint by remuneration committee Financial Mail writes that Sibanye-Stillwater’s remuneration report for 2022 shows that CEO Neal Froneman’s remuneration was reduced by a whopping R110.6m, but he was still left with a hefty R189.7m, which was not quite as indignation-creating as the R300.3m he was awarded a year earlier. But, as with most other listed companies, the trimming of enormously generous remuneration packages this year has been due to general market weakness and lower share prices and not some miraculous restraint by remuneration committees (remcos). Crotty says that suggestions that the Sibanye remco took heed of the fuss last year, when news of the R300m coincided with a miners’ strike, and pared back this year’s payment as a result, is little more than wishful thinking. The long-term share incentives put in place in 2019 meant that couldn’t happen, even if the remco wanted it to. The committee did make some tweaks to the remuneration policy, but the effect was nothing Froneman would have noticed in his pay packet. Instead, the latest reduction was entirely due to the lower share price. On total guaranteed pay and short-term incentives, where the remco might have had some discretion, Froneman scored a 30% increase to R35.4m from R27.2m the previous year. Ironically, changes that were implemented because of last year’s furore could shelter Froneman and his executive colleagues from the full impact of any sustained share price weakness. In its latest report the committee says it has “introduced a new methodology for moderating the applicable share price used in LTI [long-term incentive] awards and vestings”. The committee has also provided for increased discretion to deal with “anomalous” LTI outcomes. Sibanye’s continued generosity helps to ensure the mining sector remains the standout in the pay stakes. This used to be a position jealously guarded by the banks, but thanks to the sky-high commodity prices of a few years ago, the miners have risen to the top. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ann Crotty at Financial Mail (subscriber access only)
Gauteng premier ramps up youth jobs with intake of 6,000 trainee solar technicians TimesLive reports that the Gauteng government has announced the “first of many programmes” to offer young people job opportunities in the province with the upcoming intake of thousands of young people to be trained as solar technicians. On Thursday, Premier Panyaza Lesufi unveiled a partnership between Gauteng and manufacturing, engineering and related services sector education and training authority (merSETA) that will see 6,000 young Gauteng residents receive training and qualifications in solar installation. The training will run over 12 months in various stages. The project itself will run over 36 months. The training will cover areas such as installation, maintenance and repair of different aspects related to solar energy, concentrating on hybrid solar photovoltaic systems. It will also provide learners with business and entrepreneurial skills designed to help them start businesses in the growing energy sector. Lesufi explained that the launch was the fruition of an announcement made during his maiden state of the province address earlier this year as well as the province's inaugural energy expo. Applications for the programme will be from 8 May until 8 June and will be open to residents under 35 with matric or higher qualifications. Lesufi added that they would target young people from townships, informal settlements and hostels, who will be paid a monthly stipend of between R4,000 and R7,000 depending on their level of qualification. The project will be funded by merSETA with an initial investment of R175m. Additionally, the SA Photovoltaic Industry Association (Sapvia) will oversee the quality of training and the qualification handed out to successful trainees. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Khanyisile Ngcobo at TimesLive Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Nehawu welcomes the ‘change’ of guard at Ingonyama Trust Board IOL reports that the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) in KwaZulu-Natal has welcomed the appointment of the “new” chairperson of Ingonyama Trust Board. The union said that even though there were attempts to scupper the appointment by “certain individuals, seemingly with a double agenda", as Nehawu “we however welcome the announcement of Inkosi Thanduyise Mzimela as new chairperson of the Ingonyama Trust Board, as nominated by King Misuzulu kaZwelithini and announced by the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development.” The union said in a statement that it was “hoping that the appointment of Inkosi Mzimela would bring the much-needed change.” It added that under the chairmanship of former Judge Jerome Ngwenya, there has been financial mismanagement and workers had faced hardships like a salary freeze and pending retrenchments. “Workers have had to endure hardships and toil for years without any increment and also have been tormented by a section 189 retrenchment process under the leadership of Ngwenya. As the only recognised workers’ union at Ingonyama Trust, we are indeed hoping that Inkosi Mzimela will hit the ground running in addressing all the predicaments and finally improve the working conditions of all our members and workers,” said Nehawu. But there is a stalemate between Ngwenya and Mzimela over who exactly is the rightful chairperson. Early this week the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development said it still recognised Mzimela as the chairperson because King Misuzulu had not withdrawn his nomination. Ngwenya insists that he is still in charge and he is challenging his removal by Minister Thoko Didiza in court on procedural grounds. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sihle Mavuso at IOL
Business Unity SA requests government to let medical schemes continue under NHI BL Premium reports that Business Unity SA (Busa) is lobbying the government to allow medical schemes to continue operating under National Health Insurance NHI, arguing this will ensure the private healthcare sector remains viable and reduce the load on public health facilities. The organisation made its case at SA’s second presidential health summit, a high-level meeting aimed at improving care provided to patients across the spectrum. The two-day closed meeting focused on NHI, the government’s proposed reforms for achieving universal health coverage. The NHI Bill now before parliament would provide for the establishment of a central NHI fund that will pay for healthcare services procured from the public and private sector, and would limit the role of medical schemes. “What we are proposing is some flexibility to section 33 of the NHI bill, to enable a multipayer, multiprovider system,” Busa’s Stavros Nicolaou explained. Section 33 of the Bill says that once NHI is fully implemented, medical schemes may provide only complementary cover for services not covered by the fund. Busa acknowledged there were problems with the private healthcare sector. It supported reforms to widen medical scheme membership to employed people who could not afford cover, which could be achieved with the low-cost benefit option framework being developed by the Council for Medical Schemes. This had the potential to reduce the burden on public health facilities, which were struggling to provide services in the face of a growing population, an increasing burden of disease and budget cuts, Busa said. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tamar Kahn at BusinessLive (subscriber access only). Read too, Busa affirms support for an NHI backed by public/private collaboration, at Engineering News
SANDF deployment at Eskom plants ‘still not notably deterring crime’, but protest have declined BL Premium reports that the presence of SA National Defence Force (SANDF) troops at certain Eskom power stations has still not resulted in a notable reduction in crime at those sites. But, according to Eskom’s head of security, Karen Pillay, they have experienced a decrease in protest actions since the deployment. It has been about five months since President Cyril Ramaphosa deployed troops to Eskom power stations in Mpumalanga in December and later in Limpopo in response to the growing threat posed by theft, vandalism and corruption at the utility. Pillay reported that there had been no suspected sabotage cases reported at Eskom in March and April. However, there were 27 other incidents in February 2023, which was a slight decline from the 32 incidents recorded in January 2023. A total of 35 incidents were reported in March 2023. “These incidents include cable theft, common theft, theft of diesel and malicious damage to property with an intent to steal. Some of the incidents recorded also include those that occurred outside the power stations, such as theft of laptops from employees [during their commute to and from work],” Pillay advised. She added: “The SANDF deployment may still not have [had] a notable affect on deterring criminal activity at certain plants. However, because the deployments are mostly focusing on the entrance and exit points of the power stations, they have had a positive effect in reducing frequency of protest actions by members of the public.” Highlighting the ongoing problems, Pillay said the theft of fuel oil was a highly organised criminal activity run by syndicates. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Denene Erasmus at BusinessLive (subscriber access only). Read too, BLSA defends R18m support for private crime and corruption investigation at Eskom, at Mining Weekly Boksburg accountant pleads guilty to stealing more than R500 million from employer over 13-years News24 reports that an accountant from Boksburg, Hildegard Steenkamp, has been convicted of stealing more than R500 million from her former employer over a 13-year period. Steenkamp recently pleaded guilty in the Johannesburg Commercial Crimes Court to 336 charges related to the theft of R537 million from Medtronic (Pty) Ltd, where she had been employed as an accountant. Steenkamp created several business enterprises to justify her lifestyle. Her husband and son were initially charged as well, but the charges were dropped because there was not enough evidence against them. It was reported in 2018 that Steenkamp duplicated payments and transferred the money into her late husband's bank account. It was also reported that after her arrest, the Hawks seized and attached 11 luxury cars, motorbikes and seven immovable properties, as well as furniture and appliances. Sentencing proceedings were postponed to 14 and 16 August. Read the original of the short report in the above regard compiled by Alex Mitchley at News24 Two Northern Cape cops, accomplice in court, accused of defrauding state of R80,000 informer’s reward claim News24 reports that two Northern Cape police officers and a third person were arrested on Thursday for fraud and defeating the ends of justice and appeared in the Kuruman Magistrate's Court. Captain Godfrey Nogaga, Sergeant Kenny Tshilo and Thuso Mehlo allegedly defrauded the state of R80,000, which had been paid as a reward claim. The court granted Nogaga, Tshilo and Mehlo bail of R5,000, R4,000 and R500 respectively. According to Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Tebogo Thebe, Nogaga, attached to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation's Serious Organised Crime Unit in Kathu, submitted and recommended that an informer's reward claim of R100,000 be paid to Mehlo, who posed as the informer. The police's claim committee approved a payment of R80,000. Tshilo, stationed at the Kuruman police station, was an alleged accomplice to the crime because he allegedly recruited Mehlo. Thebe said Nogaga allegedly took R70,000 and paid his alleged accomplices R5,000 each. The case was postponed to 19 June for further investigation. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Cebelihle Bhengu at News24 Hawks uncover R7.8m worth of illicit cigarettes in gas tanker IOL reports that a 49-year-old man is expected to appear in the Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court on Friday after he was found in possession of illicit cigarettes worth R7.8 million. The cigarettes were being transported in a gas tanker truck. According to the North West spokesperson for the Hawks, Captain Tlangelani Rikhotso, the suspect was arrested on Wednesday in Potchefstroom. “A total of 482 master cases containing 50 cartons of illicit Chelsea cigarettes were discovered. Additionally, in a separate compartment, 109 master cases containing 25 cartons were also found. All the cigarettes and the gas tanker truck were seized for further investigation,” Rikhotso advised. The suspect faces charges of possession of illicit cigarettes and contravention of the Customs and Excise Act of 1964. Acting on a tip-off on Monday, law enforcement teams impounded a truck carrying 1,000 master cases of illicit cigarettes with a tax value of R20m in Bronkhorstspruit. SA Revenue Service (Sars) Commissioner Edward Kieswetter said that the illicit cigarettes had been imported through Beitbridge where they were falsely declared as tea leaves. The truck was carrying 1,000 master cases of illicit cigarettes valued at a tax prejudice of R20m. On being approached, the driver fled the scene and the truck and its consignment were seized. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Robin-Lee Francke at IOL. Lees ook, Miljoene se onwettige sigarette in gastrok versteek, by Maroela Media
|
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page