In our Friday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South African
labour-related reports.
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Cosatu members demand serious action by government News24 reports that Cosatu and its affiliates embarked on a nationwide strike on Thursday, demanding that the government should take action on the state of the economy, load shedding, poor governance and the bad living standards of workers. In the Western Cape, about 500 Cosatu members marched to the provincial legislature and then to Parliament, where they handed over a memorandum of their grievances. Workers said they wanted the government to take their concerns about violent crime on the Cape Flats, corruption, job losses, unemployment, and high interest rates and tariffs, seriously. Cosatu's provincial secretary, Malvern de Bruyn, said their memorandum outlined their disappointment in the government's failure to address these concerns. "We want the provincial and national governments to hear us loud and clear on these matters. They must regard this strike as just a first warning of more mass action to follow, should our demands not be heeded," De Bruyn stated. Cosatu gave the government 14 days to respond to its demands or face "more protests". The demands included: fixing unemployment; preventing crime and corruption; ending gender-based violence; reducing interest rates; solving the water and energy crises urgently; and eliminating the gender pay gap in all workplaces. In Durban, hundreds of Cosatu members marched from King Dinizulu park to the eThekwini city hall. Cosatu’s KZN secretary, Edwin Mkhize, said: "We are concerned about the cost of living, which has been persistently increasing, and this is having a negative impact on workers. They are struggling to pay for their home and vehicle loans." He added that the union planned to revive its campaign against some employers' continued use of labour brokers. In Gqeberha, a 200-strong crowd marched from Nangoza Jebe Hall in New Brighton to the city hall in the CBD where a memorandum was handed over to Nelson Mandela Bay Mayor Gary van Niekerk. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lisalee Solomons, Nkosikhona Duma & Candice Bezuidenhout at News24 Analysts give their views on effectiveness of Cosatu’s national protest Ernest Mabusa writes that it is unlikely government will be galvanised to immediately respond to the Congress of South African Trade Unions’ (Cosatu’s) demands made during its national day of action on Thursday. This was the view expressed by analysts as Cosatu held 12 marches nationwide protesting rising levels of unemployment, wage cuts, poverty and inequality. Among the union federation’s demands was that government raise the R350 social relief of distress grant to the food poverty line of R663 in the October mini budget, and that it should extend the presidential employment stimulus to accommodate one million active participants in October 2023 and two million in February 2024. Political analyst Piet Croucamp said government would not be able to meet Cosatu’s demands in the short term: “Government will say they want to address the issues raised by Cosatu but can only address them if resources are available and there is strong economic growth.” He said the march was a way for Cosatu to show its strength, but this was difficult as only about 12% of workers belonged to unions. Noting that it was a political strike under section 77 of the Labour Relations Act, labour analyst Andrew Levy commented that Cosatu achieved a number of things by such strikes: “They give membership something to focus on. The best way is to build unity. It does set a ‘them and us’ situation. It engenders solidarity.” Levy said the strike was also a way unions could show government that “look at us we are strong and we carry weight”. Political analyst Ralph Mathekga said Cosatu had to be seen by its membership to be doing something about the problems facing the workers and its demands were reasonable. He expressed the hope that the march was complementing other efforts Cosatu was making within the tripartite alliance. “The reality is they are sitting within the tripartite alliance and there is a lot they should have achieved within,” he commented. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ernest Mabuza at TimesLIVE Premium (subscriber access only). Read too, Cosatu leader tells government to listen to union demands or face the results at the polls next year, at GroundUp Other internet posting(s) in this news category
One in 10 SA doctors being investigated by HPCSA consider suicide, survey shows TimesLIVE reports that a survey of 204 doctors has shown that one in 10 have suicidal thoughts during Health Professions Council of SA (HPCSA) investigations into allegations against them of unprofessional conduct. Conducted by the Medical Protection Society (MPS), which protects the professional interests of 30,000 healthcare professionals in SA, the survey was done among those investigated by the HPCSA between 2018 and 2022. Eighty-three percent said the investigation caused stress and anxiety, while 61% said it had a detrimental effect on their mental wellbeing. Nineteen percent considered leaving the medical profession or SA to practise in a different country as a result of their investigation. One in 10 (11%) said they experienced suicidal thoughts during the process. In addition, 71% of practitioners said the length of the HPCSA investigation affected their mental wellbeing, for some lasting many years, while 81% said the initial, unexpected notification of the investigation affected them most. Doctors spoke of a “guilty until proven innocent” tone in the initial HPCSA letter. This has prompted the MPS to call for “significant changes in how the HPCSA investigates allegations of unprofessional conduct against healthcare practitioners”. The MPS advised: “The constructive engagement we have had with the HPCSA on this issue and their willingness to consider a number of our recommendations is positive. We hope to continue this dialogue.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Suthentira Govender at BusinessLive Limpopo Shoprite manager killed by robbers, suspects flee with two braai packs, three cellphones and R650 IOL reports that police in Letsitele, Limpopo, have launched a manhunt for four suspects who robbed a popular retailer and killed the manager. They responded to a robbery incident on Wednesday evening and found the manager of the Shoprite store, a 26-year-old man, shot dead in Shihoko Village. Staff at the store were also attacked by the group. Provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba confirmed a case of murder and business robbery was being investigated. “It is reported that at about 7pm, a group of four suspects entered the retail store and demanded money from the manager. In the process, the manager was shot and died at the scene, while the other five employees were assaulted and sustained minor injuries. The suspects managed to rob two 5kg braai packs, three cell phones and cash in the amount of R650 after failing to open the safe,” Ledwaba reported. The suspects had already fled the scene when the police arrived with the emergency services. The deceased manager has been identified as Shaile Chipape, from Seshego outside Polokwane. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Robin-Lee Francke at IOL Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Eight VIP protection officers linked to N1 assault of motorists suspended TimesLIVE reports that the eight members of the police VIP protection unit seen in video footage of the assault on motorists on the N1 in Johannesburg over the weekend have been suspended. National police commissioner Gen Fannie Masemola confirmed the suspensions on Thursday. He was updating the media on progress in police nationwide high-density operations named Operation Shanela and said: “As we wrap up this briefing, it is important that we apprise the nation of the incident on Sunday that involved members from our protection and security service, commonly referred to as VIP protection.” He said when police were alerted to the incident they launched an investigation to identify the victims and the officers and to determine the circumstances that led to it. “I can confirm those members have been identified and are being subjected to our internal processes in line with our discipline regulations and labour relations prescripts,” Masemola indicated. He added they have also identified and traced the victims and confirmed a criminal case had been opened and was under investigation by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid). “Thus far, eight members have been issued with suspension notices and temporarily removed from their posts pending the outcome of our investigation,” Masemola advised. He added: “The SAPS does not condone such behaviour. No amount of provocation can justify or validate what we saw on the video clip, pending the outcome of the investigations.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Phathu Luvhengo at BusinessLive
'We are under siege': Illegal mining led to fatal Boksburg gas leak, says Gauteng premier News24 reports that according to Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, the gas leak that caused 17 people to die in Angelo informal settlement in Boksburg was caused by illegal mining activity. He said he witnessed illegal mining activities at the informal settlement when he arrived there on Wednesday night. Apparently illegal miners cut open one of the cylinders that contained the gas, causing it to leak. Forensic experts have since removed other gas cylinders from the scene. Sixteen people died on the scene and a seventeenth person died in hospital. The youngest victim was one year old. “We witnessed that illegal activity was taking place. We also saw the gas canister [that caused the leak]. We were briefed on what could have caused the fatalities. It means people were doing an illegal business that harmed 16 people, including a one-year-old. It was heartbreaking to see that child,”Lesufi stated. He said illegal mining activity was keeping the government under siege in Gauteng. "I am calling for a completely new strategy in confronting this thing. We need a well-resourced strategy capability of our law enforcement from a higher level and a need to respond as if we are in a war zone. The figures indicate we are under siege. We have to respond," he indicated. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ntwaagae Seleka at News24 Gauteng legislature calls for illegal mining to be eradicated after gas leak claims 17 lives TimesLIVE reports that the Gauteng provincial legislature’s portfolio committee on community safety has called for the eradication of illegal mining, which it says amounts to economic sabotage. This followed the deadly incident which claimed the lives of 17 people who inhaled nitrate oxide gas at the Angelo informal settlement in Boksburg. “Illegal mining has brought enormous and devastating challenges to maintaining the rule of law in the province,” lamented the committee's chair, Bandile Masuku. He said the committee had noted allegations that the gas cylinder that caused the accident was part of an illegal mining operation carried out by zama-zamas in the area. Masuku said the province had over the years witnessed the “senseless loss of innocent lives” at the hands of illegal miners and “now calls for law enforcement agencies to develop dedicated and specialised units that will see the complete eradication of illegal mining in Gauteng”. He advised that the committee awaited a detailed report from police in the province that would “give an account of what happened and what is being done to eradicate illegal mining in Gauteng”. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Phathu Luvhengo at TimesLIVE Other internet posting(s) in this news category
EU warns that unemployment crisis could spark a ‘revolution’ in SA BL Premium reports that the EU has implored SA to address its unemployment scourge, which is among the highest in the world, to realise much-needed economic growth and create jobs. This as government leaders warned that failure to address the crisis could ignite a “revolution” in a country where the unemployment rate in the first quarter increased to 32.9%. The youth unemployment rate reached 62.1% in the first quarter and 71.2% using the expanded definition. Addressing a jobs expo in Johannesburg on Thursday, which was attended by employment and labour minister Thulas Nxesi, EU ambassador to SA Sandra Kramer bemoaned the unemployment crisis in SA. “Unemployment, youth unemployment figures are extremely high and that is bad for the SA economy and society,” Kramer said. According to the EU, a number of interventions could be carried out to “improve that”. Kramer said a “space” should be created for small and medium-sized enterprises as they had potential to create job opportunities. Those entities, she said, needed oxygen to operate sufficiently and contribute to economic growth and they “do not need red tape.” Kramer also said the EU wanted to be the government’s partner in improving the employment figures. Delivering the keynote address at the expo, Nxesi admitted that youth unemployment was a “major challenge” and noted that young people remained vulnerable in the labour market and posed the “greatest risk to social instability in the country”. Characterising joblessness as a structural phenomenon, Nxesi said fixing the crisis should not be his department’s responsibility alone and that the private sector had a role to play. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
German firms warn SA visa gridlock threatens operations that support 100,000 jobs Bloomberg News reports that the gridlock affecting work-permit applications in SA was limiting expansion by German companies in the country and threatening operations that supported 100,000 jobs, an industry association warned. While the country is taking steps to improve the approval system and make it easier and quicker to get permits, the snarl-up that was worsened by the Covid-19 pandemic has limited the entry of skilled workers. Between 2014 and 2021 just 25,298 skilled-worker permits were approved. “The visa matter spans the entire hierarchy of German business in SA” ranging from CEOs to technicians, the Southern African-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry said on Thursday. It commented that this was not only a concern to German business but also to the country itself as German companies operating in SA provided jobs for 100,000 people along their supply chains. Companies operating in SA struggle to find skilled workers, a result of a dysfunctional education system and worsened by emigration. The chamber said companies not being able to get permits for executives at local subsidiaries was endangering investment and “the same goes for technicians not being able to enter the country, while there are no skilled workers available to service machinery.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Antony Sguazzin at BusinessLive
Postbank appoints ooba executive as new CEO Fin24 reports that Cabinet advised in a statement on Thursday that Ntomboxolo Nikki Mbengashe has been appointed as CEO of Postbank SA for a period of five years. Postbank is struggling to achieve government's ambition of becoming an independent, state-owned bank. It has been separated from the hemorrhaging Post Office, but still needs to secure a banking licence from the SA Reserve Bank (SARS) to offer credit and other banking products. Instead, the SARB has warned Postbank that it is at risk of being expelled from the national payment system because its security is not up to scratch. Last year, Postbank lost more than R18 million in just three months to cybercrime attacks. In October 2021, cybercrime cost Postbank at least R90 million in a single month. The SARB has given Postbank until December 2023 to sort out its security shortcomings, including "serious irregularities" in the issuing of Sassa cards. Mbengashe joined mortgage broker ooba as chief operating officer two years ago. Previously, she was chief operating officer of Woolworths Financial Services for almost five years. She also spent almost five years with Absa in various positions, including as chief operating officer of its retail bank. Mbengashe has an NDip Industrial Engineering from Nelson Mandela University and also earned an MBA from the University of Cape Town. Read the full original of the report in the above regard compiled by Helena Wasserman at Fin24
Pros and cons of Artificial Intelligence on recruitment and hiring The Citizen reports that advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have revolutionised the world of work and AI programmes like ChatGPT have proved their worth, not just in the actual work processes, but also in recruitment and hiring. Paul Byrne of Saongroup Africa says it is crucial to explore AI’s impact in recruitment. Although he believes the future of recruitment lies in the synergy between AI and human intelligence, Byrne admits that AI has both pros and cons. Hiring bias is not only detrimental to job seekers, but also to recruiters, employers and businesses too, through unconscious biases. AI could potentially reduce human bias since it can be programmed to focus on important factors such as skills, work experience and qualifications. Manually going through job applications can be time consuming for recruiters and AI could dramatically reduce the time spent through a more automated selection process. Using chatbots and virtual assistants could improve feedback turnaround time. But, since AI relies on keywords to process job applications and CVs, this could make it easy for candidates to “trick” the system – by strategically arranging keywords to present themselves as a good fit. And although AI may reduce human bias in hiring, it may overlook candidates with atypical work experience, even though they might be the best fit based on personality and ‘soft skills.’ Assessing character traits and personal attributes still requires human judgement. “Although AI certainly has the potential to change the landscape of recruiting to some degree, it is not a silver bullet that can solve all hiring challenges,” Byrne noted. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Vukosi Maluleke at The Citizen
Limpopo cop accused of stealing bail and fine money granted R3,000 bail TimesLIVE reports that a Limpopo warrant officer, Matshidiso Virginia Sealetsa, who was arrested on Wednesday for alleged theft, was granted R3,000 bail in the Bela-Bela Magistrate's Court on Thursday. The 47-year-old police officer from the Rust de Winter police station was accused of failing to deliver money to the clerk of the court to deposit and allegedly used it for her personal gain. She will appear again on 1 August as police investigations continue. Limpopo police spokesperson Col Malesela Ledwaba said that between September 2022 and February this year, Sealetsa was tasked with the collection of bail money, traffic fines and admission of guilt fines from the community service centre for delivery to the court. Suspicion was raised during an inspection when the receipts were not attached on 14 occasions, amounting to more than R29,000. That prompted managers to conduct an investigation, which culminated in the arrest of the suspect on Wednesday. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Phathu Luvhengo at TimesLIVE
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