In our Thursday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South African
labour-related reports.
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Inflation rate back within the Reserve Bank’s 3%-6% target range and lowest in nearly two years BL Premium reports that SA’s headline consumer inflation slowed to its lowest reading in 20 months, falling to within the Reserve Bank 3-6% target range. Stats SA on Wednesday said the consumer price index (CPI) fell to 5.4% in June from 6.3% in May. Of the 12 main categories covered by the CPI, six saw a drop in annual inflation in June, one remained unchanged and five recorded increases. On an annual basis, food inflation slowed to 11.1% from 11.8% in May, 14.3% in April and a peak of 14.4% in March. At 11.1%, food inflation continues to be extremely high and a clear concern given its high weighting of 15.3% in the inflation basket. The annual inflation rate for alcoholic beverages and tobacco increased to 6.1% from 5.9% in May. Other notable price changes in June included annual transport inflation, which fell from 7% in May to 1.8% in June as a result of softer fuel prices. Stats SA data showed that the fuel index fell by 8.3% in June 2023 compared with June 2022. Annual core inflation also fell, reaching a five-month low of 5% in June from 5.2% in May. Stanlib chief economist Kevin Lings said that while the decline in core inflation was welcome, risks that might affect it on the upside included an upward bias in wage increases, the pending 18.65% increase in electricity tariffs and continued cost pressures due to electricity outages. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Thuletho Zwane at BusinessLive (subscriber access only). Read too, Relief as inflation falls below 6%, at Fin24 All eyes on repo rate after surprising inflation rate decrease The Citizen reports that with SA having recorded a big decrease in the consumer inflation rate, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the SA Reserve Bank (SARB) will sit on Thursday to decide on interest rates. The inflation rate decreased by almost one percentage point in June to 5.4%, from 6.3% in May. It is at its lowest level since October 2021, and below the upper limit of SARB’s target range of between 3 and 6%. Economist Arthur Kamp of Sanlam Investments believes the MPC will leave the repo rate unchanged now that inflation is slowing down. But, he thinks the MPC will take note of the further increase in inflation expectations reported in the Bureau for Economic Research’s (BER’s) Survey of Inflation Expectations for the second quarter of 2023. Specifically, inflation expectations of trade unions remained elevated at 6.6% for 2023 and 6.2% for 2024, while households also have high inflation expectations at 8.1% for the year ahead. So there are limited signs of a damaging wage-price spiral developing. The Nedbank Group Economic Unit commented that Wednesday’s inflation outcomes were encouraging and it expects inflation to remain below 6% for the rest of the year, ending the year at around 5% with the downward trend mainly come from fuel and food prices. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ina Opperman at The Citizen Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Joburg Water employees at Ennerdale Depot stage sit-in strike after two hijacking incidents IOL reports that there was a disruption to services at the Johannesburg Water's Ennerdale Depot after employees downed tools after two vehicles were hijacked in the past week. The incidents happened while employees were on duty in Ennerdale in the south of Johannesburg. This led to staff members embarking on a sit-in strike after citing safety and security concerns relating to the hijackings. The utility said that the situation would compromise service delivery as the depot would not be fully operational. Consequently, Joburg Water indicated that logged calls for issues such as burst pipes and leaking water meters would take longer to attend to. It said the matter would be handled and addressed accordingly as it had been escalated to the executive management team for review. Joburg Water added that counselling services would be arranged for the affected employees. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Kamogelo Moichela at IOL Two security officers injured during cash-in-transit heist near Mdantsane on Tuesday Mthatha Express reports that two injured security officers had to be taken to hospital following a cash-in-transit robbery on the N2 near Mdantsane on Tuesday. According to police spokesperson Warrant Officer Majola Nkohli, at approximately 18:00 on Tuesday police were summoned to a complaint of a cash-in-transit heist on the N2 near Mdantsane. "At the scene, it is believed that explosives were used during the incident, and the two security officers were injured and rushed to hospital. The cash was also missing. The circumstances surrounding the incident will form part of the investigation," said Nkohli. The Hawks will be taking over the investigation. Read the original of the short report in the above regard compiled by Gugulethu Mtumane at News24 Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Gauteng cop, three others arrested after shootout at Driefontein mine assay lab News24 reports that a police officer and three men were arrested on Monday after a shootout at one of the Sibanye-Stillwater mines in Driefontein on the West Rand. Gauteng Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said the men, aged 29 to 39, arrived at an assay laboratory at the mine and fired shots at a vehicle. For security reasons, Mogale could not reveal what was kept at the lab. He reported: “While other suspects were busy breaking down the gate to gain entrance into the building, gunshots were exchanged between security officers and the suspects. During the shootout, the suspects realised that they were surrounded and started to flee the scene in different directions, but four were arrested.” A preliminary investigation revealed that one of the four men was a police officer. According to Mogale, the officer was not based at a police station but at the provincial office. Explosives, ammunition and two 9mm pistols, with serial numbers filed off, were recovered from the scene. Two other men, aged 34 and 39, were arrested on Tuesday in Khuma in the North West. The four people who were arrested on Monday and the two people who were arrested on Tuesday were scheduled to appear in the Fochville Magistrate's Court on Wednesday charged with attempted armed robbery and attempted murder. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tshepiso Motloung at News24. Lees ook, Polisieman onder ses vas oor rooftog by myn, by Maroela Media Other general posting(s) relating to mining
Independent Newspapers set to retrench at least 40% of its staff Fin24 reports that Independent Newspapers, the publisher of titles such as The Cape Times, The Star, Isolezwe and The Mercury, has announced it is now looking to cut "at least" 40% of its staff in a bid to save costs. CEO Takudzwa Hové indicated in a statement: "We have tried to stave off retrenchments for as long as we could, by drastically reducing operational costs and implementing various efficiencies throughout the organisation. Sadly, this has not been sufficient, and we are now faced with the harsh reality of job reductions." Without providing further details, he said the proposed cutbacks would lead to a "revamped organisation" with a "leaner team". In April, the group announced that six titles would be merged into three publications to cut costs. A few weeks later, it started offering voluntary severance packages to staff, but few journalists accepted. In June, the group announced layoffs in its editorial division, but retrenchments are now being considered in all of its divisions. Titles in the Independent Newspapers stable have been trying to cut costs for months to compensate for falling advertising and dwindling circulation figures. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jan Cronje at Fin24. Read too, Independent Media to cut at least 40% of jobs, at BusinessLive
MTN SA appoints chief risk officer Engineering News reports that telecommunications giant MTN South Africa has appointed Bradley Swanepoel as chief risk officer, effective 1 October 2023, to enhance the role of risk as a strategic lever within the business. Amid a continuously changing technical, regulatory and competitive environment, MTN aims to ensure effective risk management, taking active measures to identify and address various business risks. “South African businesses today, including MTN, face many challenges that pose a range of risks to all aspects of their operations. I look forward, with my team, to playing a part in ensuring that MTN can identify and avoid these operational risks so that it continues to fulfil its role as a leading provider of value-added services to South Africans,” said Swanepoel, who is currently MTN finance business partner GM. MTN South Africa CEO Charles Molapisi pointed out that Swanepoel has organisation-wide experience and has a comprehensive understanding of MTN's operations that aligns perfectly with the requirements of a chief risk officer. “The intricacy of today’s business environment and rapid changes require that to achieve our desired business and technological growth, having a strong risk assessment capability is essential to reducing business risks that could place productivity and profitability at risk,” Molapisi pointed put. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Engineering News
No funds to fill vacant social worker positions, says Western Cape social development department EWN reports that the Western Cape Social Development Department (WCSDD) says there are no funds to fill the vacant social worker posts in the province. This comes after Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu confirmed last week that over 9,000 social worker graduates in SA were unemployed due to budget constraints. The WCSDD confirmed that about 296 social worker graduates were still unplaced, although it indicated that through its bursary programme it had placed 147 graduates in the current financial year. According to the department, there were 77 available posts in the province, but there was a need for 1,600 social workers. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Melikhaya Zagagana at EWN
Military veterans seek compensation from government of R4.2 million each The Citizen reports that a group of 2,700 military veterans who played an important role in SA’s liberation struggle are intensifying their legal battle against the government for compensation. According to the veterans, the government has failed to fulfill its promise of providing them with R4.2 million each as compensation for their contribution to ending apartheid. Taking action against the Department of Defence, Department of Military Veterans and the Presidency, the veterans have served notice of their claim. Their lawyers explained that the basis for their demand lay in the R500,000 compensation each of them was promised back in 1994, which, with interest and escalation, had now accumulated to R4.2 million per veteran. The group is made up of members from prominent military associations, namely the Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association, Azanian People’s Liberation Army Military Veterans Association, and Azanian National Liberation Army Military Veterans Association. Identifying themselves as the Liberation Struggle War Veterans of SA, the group has decided to pursue legal action after years of unsuccessful attempts to obtain government intervention. They argue that their years of dedicated service have been overlooked, while preferential treatment and higher ranks were granted to individuals from the statutory forces. Those who were integrated into the SA Police Service claim to have faced similar prejudicial treatment. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Devina Haripersad at The Citizen
No decision yet on Mashatile's VIP protectors' assault case, says Ipid SowetanLive reports that the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) is waiting for feedback from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions on how to proceed with the case of VIP protectors seen in video footage assaulting motorists on the N1 highway in Johannesburg. Ipid spokesperon Robbie Raburabu indicated that the victims – since identified as military trainees – had opened a criminal case against the officers and their statements had been taken by investigators. "Our case is still with the prosecutors at the director of public prosecutions [Andrew Chauke]. We are, however, expecting a response by the end of the week. We have done our investigations but it is up to them to decide whether what we have done is enough to reach a decision," Raburabu indicated. The eight members of the unit who were part of deputy president Paul Mashatile's security detail have since been suspended and are being subjected to SA Police Service internal processes. The video shows Mashatile’s armed protectors dragging the motorists out of their vehicle and severely assaulting them before jumping back into their convoy of state vehicles. Mashatile was not present when the incident happened. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jeanette Chabalala at SowetanLive Free State cop arrested for allegedly aiding a suspect stock thief escape from custody News24 reports that a Free State police officer has been arrested for allegedly aiding a suspect to escape from custody. Free State police spokesperson Sergeant Mahlomola Kareli reported that in December last year the police received a tip-off on the whereabouts of alleged stock thieves in Welkom. Officers arrested seven people in connection with stock theft and the suspects were all "placed at the back of a patrol vehicle for detention". Kareli reported further: "It is alleged that the female officer, who was initially not part of the arresting team, went to the back of the vehicle and released one of the suspects. Upon realising that one of the suspects had been released and not detained, the arresting officer took the matter up with their overall commander and the matter was handed over to the Anti-Corruption Unit." The unit's investigation led to the arrest of the 56-year-old officer for defeating the ends of justice and aiding an escape. The 52-year-old escapee was rearrested and charged with escaping from custody. The officer and the man appeared in the Welkom Magistrate's Court on Tuesday. Read the full original of the report in the above regard compiled by Nicole McCain at News24
SAPS tardiness leads Labour Court to throw out application to review reinstatement award TimesLIVE reports that failure by the SA Police Service (SAPS) to timeously file a review application against a bargaining council’s decision that reinstated a fired police officer has led to the Labour Court dismissing the application. The court said it did not have jurisdiction to hear the application because the explanation by the SAPS as to why it took nine weeks to make the decision to review the arbitrator’s award was not satisfactory. The Labour Relations Act (LRA) provides that any party who alleges a defect in arbitration proceedings may apply to the court for an order setting aside the award within six weeks of the date on which the award was served. Capt Peter Arthur Jacks, who was employed by SAPS since January 1991, was dismissed in July 2018 for misconduct relating to sexual harassment of a female captain. A month later, Jacks referred an unfair dismissal dispute to the safety and security sectoral bargaining council. In March 2021, the commissioner issued her award and found the dismissal of Jacks substantively unfair. She ordered SAPS to reinstate him retrospectively and that Jacks be afforded R356,379 in back pay. SAPS was unhappy with the commissioner’s decision and launched a review application. However, it filed its review application outside the six-week period allowed in the LRA. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ernest Mabuza at BusinessLive
KZN principal who repeatedly raped 15-year-old schoolboy sentenced to life imprisonment News24 reports that a former KwaZulu-Natal principal was handed a life sentence for repeatedly raping a 15-year-old schoolboy. The Vryheid Magistrate's Court handed the sentence to Mduduzi Ndlovu, 39, on Tuesday. The court heard how Ndlovu manipulated and violated the teen. Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda reported that on an afternoon in 2018, the principal requested the boy to assist him and, inside his office, became aggressive and raped the victim. Ndlovu threatened to harm the boy if he told anyone about the incident. He also gave him money and stationery in exchange for his silence. Ndlovu raped the boy on several occasions and would sometimes fetch him at home and then drive to his place of residence in the Bhekuzulu area, where he would rape the boy. "In 2022, a church member noticed strange behaviour from the boy and questioned him. The teenager broke his silence and a rape case was duly opened," Netshiunda indicated. Ndlovu made several court appearances before he was convicted. He was sentenced to life imprisonment for rape and was also declared unfit to possess a firearm. His name will be added to the national register for sex offenders. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Kaveel Singh at News24. Read too, Former high school principal handed life sentence for raping 15-year-old learner, at The Star
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