In our Tuesday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South African
labour-related reports.
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Five trucks torched in Mpumalanga only hours after six were set alight on N3 TimesLIVE reports that just hours after six trucks were set alight on the N3 in the early hours of Sunday morning in what has been described as “a co-ordinated attack on the road freight sector”, another five were torched under similar circumstances in Mpumalanga. Provincial police spokesperson Brig Selvy Mohlala confirmed the incident and reported: “Five trucks were set alight [on Sunday] evening at Waterval Boven. We don't know the motive for the incident. The information at our disposal is that two vehicles, a Toyota Hilux bakkie and a sedan, stopped the trucks just before the Waterval Boven tunnel and set them alight without telling the drivers the motive.” The drivers were instructed to take their personal belongings and vacate the trucks. Mohlala said no arrests had been made. On Sunday morning the N3 toll route was forced to close after six trucks were set alight on Van Reenen's Pass by unknown assailants. The drivers managed to escape unhurt. Reacting to Sunday’s incident, All Truck Drivers Forum and Allied SA’s KwaZulu-Natal secretary Gugu Sokhela said they could not confirm or deny whether any of their members were involved. “We don't know anything in terms of factionalism within our organisation. Our organisation is as united as ever. Regarding the torching of the trucks now, we cannot confirm yet whether it is our members. But [members are angry] regarding government not doing the right thing,” he said. Sokhela explained this, saying the government's failure to implement regulations reserving jobs within the industry for South Africans had left members angry and might have possibly led to the torching incident. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Khanyisile Ngcobo at BusinessLive. Read too, Five trucks set alight in Mpumalanga, at News24. En ook, Nóg vyf trokke brand in Mpumalanga, by Maroela Media Ramaphosa expects intelligence report on truck torchings, expresses concern about economic impact News24 reports that President Cyril Ramaphosa is expecting an intelligence report on attacks on trucks in SA after he expressed concern about the impact of the incidents on the economy. He commented after six trucks were set alight on Van Reenen's Pass, KwaZulu-Natal, on Saturday night. Police reported that armed men ambushed the truck drivers, forced them to get out of the vehicles and set the vehicles alight. The incident coincided with the anniversary of unrest that broke out in parts of SA in July 2021, causing massive economic losses. On the sidelines of the ANC NEC meeting on Sunday, Ramaphosa told the media he expected law enforcement agencies to take action. He stated: “I have a concern about these incidents that take place and have a negative impact on our economy. It is almost like economic sabotage because six trucks on the great artery of our economy being torched is concerning. The intelligence agencies are going to be giving me a report on that shortly, and the police themselves will be taking steps to ensure that we foresaw [sic] whatever follow-up activity that those who are behind this might be planning.” Shortly after he made the comments on Sunday night, five trucks were set alight in Waterval Boven, Mpumalanga. It is unclear when Ramaphosa will receive the intelligence report. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Zintle Mahlati at News24. Read too, ‘It’s pure criminality’, says Cele as he hints at imminent arrest of suspects behind truck arson on N3, at The Citizen Truckers deny hand in latest attacks, but vow protests as ‘truck companies are still employing foreign drivers’ SowetanLive reports that while the truck drivers’ forum claims it had nothing to do with the latest attack on trucks on the N3 at Van Reenen’s Pass, it is threatening to intensify protest action against foreign truckers. Six trucks were torched in the early hours of Sunday in what the Road Freight Association (RFA) has described as a “co-ordinated attack”. In comment, All Truck Drivers Forum and Allied SA ATDF ASA secretary Sifiso Nyathi pointed out that they signed a task team implementation plan document in June last year that would have ensured minimal employment of foreigners as truck drivers. “We addressed these issues with the government and it was never sorted out. It is just people talking but nothing is done, companies are still employing foreign nationals,” he stated. Nyathi said they would protest soon about their grievances, but did not say when. Part of what was contained in the signed document was confirmation of driving licences and professional driving permits of foreign drivers, identifying foreign driving licences that were invalid and that all trucks transporting goods must register with the bargaining council. But, according to Nyathi, none of these points has been implemented. “[The] government is fooling us because they are not taking any action against the employers,” Nyathi said. The RFA’s Gavin Kelly also said the critical things from the task team implementation plans had not yet been implemented, adding that had they been implemented “I don’t think we would be where we are today”. According to Kelly, the extension of the Zimbabwean Exemption Permits and the recent ruling around permits by the Pretoria High Court will “bring further headache”. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jeanette Chabalalan at SowetanLive Police launch manhunt for suspects after three trucks torched in Limpopo on Monday morning TimesLIVE reports that Limpopo police have launched a manhunt for six suspects linked to armed robbery and malicious damage to property after three trucks were burnt in Sekhukhune on the R547 Lydenburg road on Monday morning. Police spokesperson Col Malesela Ledwaba said the complainant was driving on the Lydenburg and Sekhukhune road to deliver chrome at a mine when he was accosted by six unknown men on the road. “Two suspects were armed with firearms. A firearm was pointed at him and he was instructed to block the road with the truck and to disembark through the window, and then the suspects burnt the truck,” said Ledwaba. Two trucks driving behind were also burnt by the suspects who fled the scene. Police and firefighters were called to the scene. The motive for the incident is still unknown. Police opened a case of armed robbery and malicious damage to property. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Phathu Luvhengo at TimesLIVE Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Electricity technician in hospital after being shot and robbed at Boksburg substation SowetanLive reports that an Ekurhuleni electricity technician is in hospital after he was robbed and shot at while responding to a fault at a substation. The City of Ekurhuleni said the employee was responding to a multiple power outage in the area of Boksburg when he was shot and robbed at the substation in Dayanglen at about 8pm on Saturday. “The employee had to be rushed to hospital where he is recovering,” said metro spokesperson Zweli Dlamini. The technician was also robbed off his firearm, wallet and cellphone. The suspects are unknown at this stage. Dlamini said such incidents were becoming a major problem and causing employees to be reluctant to attend to power outages at night. “The employees’ behaviour is quite understandable because this job is turning out to be life threatening because of these acts of criminality. The unfortunate part is that this means that our customers and residents alike will now have to deal with extended power outages,” said Dlamini. The incident forced the team to withdraw from the electricity restoration process on Saturday evening. The work resumed on Sunday morning. Boksburg ward councillor Ash Hoods reported that this attack on a technician was the second one in the area recently. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Koena Mashale at SowetanLive. Lees ook, Elektrisiën tydens kragonderbreking geskiet, by Maroela Media Durban e-hailing driver kills two ‘riders’ who tried to rob him, police hunt for two other suspects including teen girl IOL reports that two passengers who attempted to rob an e-hailing driver in the Wentworth area in Durban have been killed after the driver fired fatal shots at the group, KwaZulu-Natal police said on Monday. The incident took place at the corner of Pascal Grove and Mia Avenue in Wentworth at around 4pm on Sunday. Police said a teenage girl had requested the ride. Upon arrival at the pick-up spot, the driver was confronted by three more people, who informed him that they were riding with the teenager, who sat at the front seat. According to information, during the ride, one of the occupants requested to be dropped off and this was when they all pounced on the driver. The riders allegedly pointed a firearm at the driver and tried to rob him of his cash and cellphones, but he managed to break free and fired at the group of four. KZN police spokesperson, Constable Thenjiswa Ngcobo reported that two of the suspects were rushed to hospital where they were declared dead. The teenager and another suspect fled the scene. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jolene Marriah-Maharaj at IOL
Police confirm suspension of eight officers involved in N1 assault TimesLIVE reports that police on Monday confirmed the suspension of eight officers who were involved in the notorious N1 assault on motorists. They had been part of Deputy President Paul Mashatile's VIP protection unit. Police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe said in a two-sentence statement: “All eight police officers that were involved in the N1 assault case have been suspended in terms of the SAPS disciplinary regulations as of Monday July 10. The SAPS wishes not to discuss the matter further.” It was not immediately clear what had led to the police's latest move regarding the suspension. Last week, police announced the group had been removed from their VIP protection duties, with Mathe saying they were not suspended but designated office-bound work for the duration of an investigation. The officers are accused of attacking people travelling in a private vehicle the weekend before last. It was later established that the four occupants of the vehicle were SA Defence Force members. According to well-placed sources, the officers' version that the men they assaulted had interfered with their work was not accepted by police management. Mashatile was not with the eight-man team at the time of the assault. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Phathu Luvhengo at TimesLIVE. See too, Eight VIP cops in Mashatile convoy suspended over highway assault, at News24
Post Office business rescue puts 7,000 jobs on the line BL Premium reports that the SA Post Office (Sapo) collapsed into the arms of business rescue practitioners on Monday with a plan that puts 7,000 jobs on the line to save more than R1.3bn in annual salaries. Business rescue is a court-ordered process that halts payments while turn-around specialists restructure the business. Communications Minister Mondli Gungubele said in court the entity needed to be saved as it played an essential role in providing grants and services in rural areas, which have limited access to financial services. He also pointed out that SA was a signatory to international treaties that required it to have postal services. The interim business rescue practitioners are Anooshkumar Rooplal and Juanito Martin Damons, subject to a vote by creditors and approval by the financial services regulator. The judgment acknowledged that Sapo, which owes creditors more than R9bn, was in financial difficulties due to structural issues. “The harsh reality is that the facts point to the SA Post Office’s workforce needing to be extensively curtailed for the Post Office to survive, but business rescue proceedings are prone to have a less severe impact on the workforce than final liquidation,” Judge Elmarie van der Schyff of the Pretoria High Court said. Sapo was placed in provisional liquidation in February. That forced the government to investigate placing the state-owned entity into business rescue to avoid final liquidation. It is estimated that Sapo employs more than 12,000 people, though the Communications Workers Union disputes this, saying it is not known how many are employed. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Katharine Child at BusinessLive (subscriber access only). Read too, Post Office now the fourth SOE in business rescue, at The Citizen. En ook, Poskantoor in sakeredding geplaas, by Maroela Media
Germany wants SA-trained nurses to fill ‘500,000 vacancies’ BL Premium reports that the government is in talks with Germany to employ SA-trained nurses to fill vacancies in Europe’s largest economy, which has been struggling with a critical labour shortage crisis. The Democratic Nursing Organisation of SA’s (Denosa’s) Khaya Sodidi confirmed that Germany wanted SA to train nurses for them – mainly the unemployed youth – and added that Germany had a shortage of about 500,000 nurses, while SA had about 20,000 unemployed nurses. He confirmed that there were continuous engagements about nurses between Germany and SA and stressed that Denosa would not “block this programme while our youth are faced with the crisis of unemployment”. The plan was confirmed by Department of Employment & Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi, who said they had just concluded an agreement with Germany about the nurses. “There’s [also] an agreement with Ireland. It’s shocking, the number of construction workers who are in Ireland from SA. There are South Africans who are looking for opportunities outside,” he said at a jobs expo last week. Labour analyst Michael Bagraim said in respect of the talks between Germany and SA that the government was probably trying to “cover up the fact that people who have got skills are struggling to find employment in SA and are taking those valuable skills elsewhere”. He said Nxesi needed to take the country into his confidence about the deal. About Ireland’s supposed deal, Bagraim said getting a job in a construction company has got “nothing to do with government at all”. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
Bell Equipment CEO Leon Goosen quits after five years at helm BL Premium reports that Bell Equipment announced on Monday that its CEO Leon Goosen had resigned after five years in the top job to pursue other interests. Goosen will stay on until December, Bell said in a statement. Goosen joined the board of the family business 14 years ago before moving up the ranks to be chief operations officer from 2014 and then CEO in 2018. The company said a process to appoint a new CEO would be initiated in due course. Carson Mitchell, managing member of Shipyard Capital Management which has shares in the company, commented: “Goosen’s appointment to CEO was supposed to bring new transparency to Bell, but the company under his tenure became more opaque than ever.” Goosen’s resignation comes days after the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) signed an agreement with the company to convert 100 contract workers into permanent employees after they threatened to strike and shut down the group’s Richards Bay manufacturing plant and its Boksburg head office. Bell employs more than 3,500 people and has 20 branches countrywide. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Andries Mahlangu at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
Look beyond UCT and Wits when recruiting, asset managers exhorted BL Premium reports that the Association of Black Securities and Investment Professionals (Absip) has called on asset managers to look beyond the University of Cape Town (UCT) and Wits University when recruiting and deciding which institutions of higher learning to support. Absip president Polo Radebe made the plea at the organisation’s CEO Roundtable with Stanlib boss Derrick Msibi last week. She subsequently explained the lobby group’s position as follows: “The tendency of industry role players to support and recruit from established universities poses a risk of perpetuating old divides between traditionally white universities and historically black institutions. This is as a result of many insiders and incumbents in the financial services industry having studied at particular universities and therefore having a sense of familiarity and faith with the academic grounding that those universities provide. Given the historical imbalance of resources, this means that we run the risk of condemning students from historically black universities to a new hurdle of access into the workplace.” While not directly answering Radebe’s plea, Msibi, a UCT alumni himself, alluded to the networking advantages that come from studying at certain universities. To remedy what it says is the dominance of a few institutions, Absip has expanded its student chapter to the University of the Western Cape, University of KwaZulu-Natal, North West University, University of Limpopo and the University of Venda. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Abelo Khumalo at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
Dismissal of waitress for not pooling R150 tip confirmed by Labour Court GroundUp reports that a waitress, who was fired for not declaring that she had received a R150 cash tip, has failed in her Labour Court bid to challenge her dismissal. Labour Court Judge Edwin Tlhotlhalemaje ruled that the dismissal of Nyaradzo Taguzu and the subsequent confirmation of this at the CCMA was fair and reasonable. Her actions, the judge said, were “self-serving and bordered on greed”. Taguzu was employed at Chef’s Warehouse, Maison Estate, in 2016. She was fired in 2018 after a disciplinary process was held into allegations of misconduct relating to dishonesty for failing to declare her tips. She referred the dispute to the CCMA, where the company said it had implemented a policy in December 2017 in terms of which all waiters were required to disclose all their cash tips. The purpose of this was to ensure that at least 25% of tips were shared amongst all back house staff, who also contributed to customer service and experience. Liam Tomlin, one of the owners, said that staff had been consulted, but he conceded that Taguzu had refused to sign the policy. He said, however, she had verbally undertaken to follow the policy and she had declared her tips on the same day the policy was implemented. However, it was discovered that she had not done so on two occasions. Taguzu denied the allegations. She disputed that there had been proper consultation and said the new policy had been forced on her and other waitresses. The commissioner said if Taguzu had concerns about the policy, she should have referred a dispute to the CCMA. Tlhotlhalemaje said he could find no fault with the findings of the commissioner, who had correctly found there was nothing invalid about the policy. He dismissed the review. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tania Broughton at GroundUp Other internet posting(s) in this news category
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