This news aggregator site highlights South African labour news from a wide range of internet and print sources. Each posting has a synopsis of the source article, together with a link or reference to the original. Postings cover the range of labour related matters from industrial relations to generalist human resources.
In our Wednesday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South African
labour-related reports.
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City Power technicians attending to faulty meter in Lenasia South hijacked, robbed, assaulted News24 reports that three Joburg City Power technicians responding to a call about a faulty meter in Lenasia South were hijacked, robbed and assaulted on Tuesday. Spokesperson Isaac Mangena said the crew, made up of one man and two women, were travelling in two vans, which the robbers made off with. Mangena said the robbers physically assaulted the male technician. The robbers took their cellphones, bags and toolboxes. He said the robbers also instructed the trio to transfer money from their bank accounts. The robbers abandoned the vehicles in Lawley, near the Meriting Squatter Camp in Lenasia South. Mangena lamented: “This year alone, our teams have been held at gunpoint, robbed of cellphones, laptops, toolboxes, hijacked and injured to the point of hospitalisation – all while servicing the communities in Joburg.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Cebelihle Bhengu at News24. Read too, City Power technicians hijacked while on duty in Lenasia, at TimesLIVE Two security guards injured in daring KaNyamazane CIT heist by gang of 15 attackers Lowvelder reports that the KaNyamazane police are pursuit of suspects involved in a cash-in-transit (CIT) robbery near Emfuleni Park on Monday at about 09:30. According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, an armoured vehicle transporting cash was travelling along the Legogota Road. A white Mercedes-Benz, reportedly carrying the suspects, collided head-on with the CIT vehicle, forcing it to overturn. “The security guards then came under attack from a group of about 15 armed suspects, who started shooting randomly at the armed vehicle while instructing them to open the door. The security eventually opened the door. They were robbed of their firearms, including a rifle and a pistol. Explosives were detonated by the suspects to get to the cash in the van,” he reported. The suspects fled the scene in an unknown direction. The Mercedes-Benz was reportedly torched by the suspects before they fled. Two security guards sustained injuries after the van overturned. They are currently receiving medical treatment in hospital, but are in a good condition. No one has been arrested so far. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at The Citizen Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Employer shocked to see his driver among suspects for truck arson SowetanLive reports that a director of a coal transportation company learnt with shock that one of his employees was allegedly behind an attack on a truck belonging to a subcontractor. SG Coal confirmed on Monday that Nelson Shongwe, who was allegedly filmed on dashcam video hijacking a truck and setting it alight, was among the five men who appeared in the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court in Mpumalanga on Monday. Shongwe and four others have all been linked to the spate of truck burnings. Their case was postponed to next week. The five are accused of conspiracy to commit malicious damage to property, robbery with aggravating circumstances and attempted murder. SG Coal director Peter Mountford said Shongwe was identified by a private security company contracted by the subcontractor. Shongwe was off duty at the time of the attack. “We are shocked. We don’t employ any foreign nationals and we don’t know what motivated Mr Shongwe or the people he was aligned with. He doesn’t have a bad track record with our company and we have never experienced any issues with our workers because we don’t have foreigners in our employ,” Mountford said. He added: “The prosecution process is currently under way and there will be a similar process from our side and obviously he (Shongwe) will be dismissed.” The subcontractor said that his truck driver who was allegedly accosted by Shongwe was traumatised after the incident and was not keen to go back to work. The subcontractor said the incident has had a huge impact on his business as his truck and trailer were worth R3.2m and he will have to fork out R500,000 in insurance excess fee. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jeanette Chabalala & Mahlohonolo Magadla at BusinessLive NUM calls for employers to provide security for truck drivers The Star writes that the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has demanded that employers provide security, comfort relief, and easy work for the trucking industry in an endeavour to find long-lasting solutions to protect the health and safety of truck drivers. The union noted with concern the burning of trucks in various parts of the country. NUM Health and Safety Secretary, Masibulele Naki, said: “We have noted some reports that some of the alleged perpetrators were arrested. There must be a thorough investigation on this matter that also impacts the livelihood of many in the country. We expect nothing else but employers to take full responsibility for the health and safety of their employees and act to avoid putting the health and safety of the truck drivers at risk.’’ On Monday, community organisation Operation Dudula distanced itself from the truck attacks, which saw at least 21 trucks set alight in various provinces. In a statement posted on social media, Operation Dudula secretary general Zandile Dabula said neither the movement nor its members were in any way involved in the widespread truck attacks. ‘’They should come and tell us who is involved, but Operation Dudula distances itself from all this. We cannot be burning the same trucks that we are fighting to employ our people,’’ Dabula said. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lehlohonolo Mashigo at The Star
Uber engages with drivers’ associations, but protests to continue until demands are met SowetanLive reports that e-hailing company Uber says it has spent the last month holding talks with various drivers’ associations and government in an attempt to understand their concerns. This as e-hailing drivers downed tools. The fees that e-hailing companies charge customers have been dropping over the years, resulting in income generated by drivers dwindling. “In the last month, we have been engaging with the Soweto E-hailing Association, Western Cape E-Hailing Council, metered taxi associations and many other structures and government departments. So far, we are forming workable solutions for the benefit of an inclusive ride-sharing industry, while upholding the independent status of drivers operating on the app,” said Uber in a statement. The firm pointed out that the service fee ensured the running of the Uber app, which came out of Uber’s service fee for each fare. The Soweto United E-hailing Association (Suea) and several other associations embarked on a shutdown from Monday, saying they would only resume work once the companies and government responded to their demands. Suea chairperson Thato Ramaila said the shutdown was continuing as they had not received positive feedback. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mpho Sibanyoni at SowetanLive
Health union vows to intensify its protests after submitting memorandum of demands to Limpopo MEC The Star reports that the Health and Allied Workers Indaba Trade Union (Haitu) has vowed to intensify its protest against the Limpopo Department of Health and its MEC, Dr Phophi Ramathuba. Led by general secretary Lerato Mthunzi, union members marched to the department’s offices in Polokwane on Friday. They handed over a memorandum of demands relating to a range of issues the union had raised with the department. Among their demands were the absorption of Covid-19 contract workers into permanent work and the filling of vacant posts. There have been concerns over the shortage of nurses in Limpopo, with the unions claiming that the province was failing to fill vacant positions. In March, Ramathuba announced that all clinics would operate on a 24-hour basis. Mthunzi said health workers in the province were being exploited and forced to work long hours due to unfilled vacant posts. She indicated: “Healthcare workers are under immense pressure because of the department’s failure to implement changes to improve standards in public hospitals and clinics. One of the most urgent tasks is to fill all vacancies in the hospitals, and this can be done by insourcing all workers.” Mthunzi went on to say: “We demand that the Limpopo Department of Health must fill the 1,200 vacant positions, which includes the 340 vacant posts for speciality nurses. They must reverse the senseless decision to let go of 706 nurses.” The union said it had given Dr Ramathuba seven days to respond to their demands, and should the department fail to do so, they would intensify their protests. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Siyabonga Sithole at The Star
Eskom cancels contracts worth R11bn in crime crackdown BL Premium reports that Eskom is attempting to recoup tens of billions of rand that it believes was paid irregularly to contractors, including coal supply agreements and construction contracts. The extent of the embattled state-owned utility’s troubles was contained in a written reply by President Cyril Ramaphosa to a parliamentary question. Ramaphosa said Eskom had cancelled coal supply agreements and construction contracts valued at R11bn and was involved in litigation to have a further R3.7bn worth of coal supply deals declared invalid. The utility was seeking to prevent further losses of about R10bn by setting aside other coal supply agreements and construction contracts, he indicated. Ramaphosa said Eskom was defending total claims of about R7.2bn by contractors and pursuing R4.8bn worth of claims against suppliers and the utility’s former directors. The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has referred 5,635 matters to Eskom for disciplinary proceedings against employees for their alleged failure to submit financial declarations or declare or get approval for doing work outside the company. In addition, there are 125 pending criminal cases or referrals to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) by law enforcement and a further 65 referrals to the Asset Forfeiture Unit relating to the utility. At a media briefing this week, Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa advised that 2,147 criminal cases relating to Eskom had been opened since 1 April last year, 1,586 of which were under investigation. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Linda Ensor at BusinessLive (subscriber access only) Solidarity says Jan Oberholzer helped Eskom get through dark times Solidarity issued a statement on Tuesday saying that it had learnt with dismay of Jan Oberholzer’s departure from Eskom after years of selfless service in extremely difficult conditions. The trade union indicated: “As former chief operating officer Oberholzer’s tenure of 30 years came to an end in April this year. However, he has since agreed to make an ongoing contribution to the organisation as a consultant, and he would have overseen projects at Koeberg and Kusile in the near future. Unexpectedly, this two-year consultation period will now, at the end of July, be terminated early.” Solidarity’s chief executive, Dr Dirk Hermann, expressed regret at the news of Oberholzer’s sudden departure and said: "Jan Oberholzer is a modern-day hero and someone whose role will still be appreciated throughout history." Oberholzer’s time at the power utility was characterised by constant major challenges. According to Hermann, Oberholzer’s memories of the Eskom of earlier years will be much different to those of later years, but his contribution in later years was equally important. "It was his work that kept Eskom going through dark times. His actions possibly also won time for the private sector to enter power generation in the country," Hermann said. Read Solidarity’s press statement on this matter at Solidarity News. Lees ook, Oberholzer help Eskom deur donker tye ‘staande bly’, by Maroela Media
Disgruntled Limpopo community lodges civil case against new platinum mine SABC News reports that the disgruntled Bengwenyema-ye-Maswati community in Limpopo’s Steelpoort region has lodged a civil case against mining company Miracle Upon Miracle in Polokwane’s High Court. The community members apparently co-own shares in the new platinum mine located in their area and claim that the mining company has sidelined them. According to the community, they own the land where the new platinum mine is earmarked for development. They have accused the Australian-owned corporation of secretly listing the mine on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. The mine allegedly interdicted the community’s rights to have an influence within the mining company. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Katlego Nyoni at SABC News Other community posting(s) relating to mining
Labour Relations Registrar to fight court decision allowing Simunye Workers’ Forum to register as a trade union GroundUp reports that the Registrar of Labour Relations intends to appeal a Labour Court ruling in June that the Simunye Workers Forum can register as a trade union. According to the Registrar, the order by Johannesburg Labour Court Judge Andre Van Niekerk directing it to register the Forum as a trade union cannot go unchallenged. He has filed an application for permission to appeal the ruling in the Labour Appeal Court. In his application, the Registrar asserts that the Forum does not meet the requirements, laid out in the Labour Relations Act, for registration as a trade union. “The requirements are not peremptory. The Act treats all unions equally. There is no provision for traditional and new trade unions in the labour market. If this was the case, the Act would have been amended accordingly. The issue raises an important issue of law which has an effect on future litigation regarding the registrar’s decisions,” the Registrar pointed out. The Forum went to court after the Registrar repeatedly refused to register it as a union. Following Judge van Niekerk’s ruling, the Forum, which has about 6,600 members, said once it was registered, it would be able to represent its members in disputes, wage negotiations and in matters before the CCMA. Following the application for leave to appeal, all that will be put on hold. A date for the leave to appeal hearing has not yet been set. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tania Broughton at GroundUp
Court dismisses challenges by Equal Education and Sadtu against WCED’s collaboration, donor schools Cape Argus writes that the Western Cape High Court has dismissed challenges brought by Equal Education (EE) and the SA Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) over the validity of the Western Cape Education Department’s (WCED) collaboration schools model. Proceedings related to the Western Cape Provincial School Education Amendment Act of 2018, which made the establishment of collaboration schools, donor-funded schools and intervention facilities possible, commenced in November 2022. Judgment in the matter was delivered on Monday. A collaboration school is a partnership between the WCED, a non-governmental organisation also known as a school operating partner, and a donor. Operating partners may have voting rights on the school governing body (SGB), and may make up 50% of the SGB. Donor-funded schools are without an operating partner, however the donor is given voting rights on the SGB. EE argued that donors and private entities would be given significant control over public schools in a way that undermined democratic governance and accountability. Judge Andre le Grange had harsh words for Sadtu, which he said sought to place its own interests first. The judge dismissed all the challenges, and ordered the parties to pay their own costs. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Shakirah Thebus at Cape Argus. Read too, Equal Education, Sadtu fail in Western Cape education challenge, at GroundUp. En ook, Equal Education, Sadtu se aansoek oor Wes-Kaapse skole misluk, by Maroela Media
National Health Insurance appoints two new chief directors Mail & Guardian reports that according to National Health Insurance (NHI) deputy director general Nicholas Crisp, the appointments for the heads of two more of the five directorates of the NHI were approved on Monday. These two positions will oversee user and service provider management and healthcare benefits and provider payment design. The other three directorates, of which two already have heads, are health product procurement; digital systems; and risk identification and fraud prevention. Only the directorate for fraud prevention still needs a chief director. The new staff members will report for work in August or September. The names of the appointees have not yet been released. The latest news comes after the treasury approved money to appoint 44 people in the NHI branch late last year, which will bring the total staff tally for the core office running the branch to about 100 employees. The National Assembly gave the go-ahead for the much debated NHI Bill in June. Under the NHI, private medical schemes will essentially cease to exist – at least they are now known. So, what changes in their healthcare can South Africans expect to see happening in the first year after the Bill’s become law (if approved by the National Council of Provinces)? ‘‘Nothing,” Crisp said in an interview in June. Full implementation “will take decades”. But within the first five years after the Bill’s become an Act, there will probably be fewer medical schemes and their benefit packages will look more or less the same, which will set the groundwork for the basic package the NHI will offer, Crisp indicated. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mohale Moloi, Linda Pretorius & Mia Malan at Mail & Guardian Other internet posting(s) in this news category
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