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 Friday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South African
labour-related reports.
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Truck jackers shoot, kill Durban metro cop on Thursday morning News24 reports that a Durban metro police officer, who was shot dead on Thursday morning, had unknowingly stopped a truck jacking when he was killed. KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said Errol Ogle was near the Hans Detman offramp in Pinetown when he noticed a truck driving in the wrong direction. Netshiunda indicated: "The officer instructed the truck driver to stop, but little did he know that a truck jacking was in progress. Four suspects who were driving a silver Polo had hijacked the truck." The suspects opened fire, killing Ogle. They then abandoned the truck and took the metro cop's vehicle and firearm before fleeing. The vehicle was later recovered abandoned on Stapleton Road. Police confirmed they were investigating a case of murder, theft, and carjacking. Read the original of the report in the above regard by Nkosikhona Duma at News24 In a ‘devastating incident', North West nurse raped on her way to work in Taung village News24 reports that a North West nurse was allegedly raped while on her way to work in the Taung village on Sunday morning. North West MEC for Health Madoda Sambatha was shocked by the news and said: "This is a devastating incident. Disregarding women's rights and safety should never be normalised in our communities. We need to work hard to turn the tide of gender-based violence and should not accept such crimes against women. The rape of one woman is a degradation and limitation to all women. Rape is the most intimate of crimes, and it is disturbing that this heinous act occurred against a health worker as she was on her way to render her services to save lives." North West Department of Health spokesperson Tebogo Lekgethwane indicated that the incident was unacceptable and deplorable. North West Democratic Nursing Organisation of SA (Denosa) spokesperson Reuben Molete reacted as follows: "We are highly disturbed by this violent activity against a woman who is a nurse on her way to provide health services and preserve the lives of community members." The union called on the Taung community to unite and fight gender-based violence. "We've collaborated with other gender-based structures and Cosatu. We are planning a march (in Taung) that will showcase the issue of gender-based violence against women, including that this particular woman finds justice and recovery," Molete indicated. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tshepiso Motloung at News24 Lesufi announces that Labour Department to lead probe into Joburg CBD blast EWN reports that speculation still surrounds the possible causes of the explosion on Wednesday in the Johannesburg CBD that has since claimed one life. Forty-three others were injured when an underground explosion ripped up the road on Bree and Rissik streets. While the Gauteng government said that a gas substance was identified to be a contributing factor, it is unclear what could have caused the massive blast. Three companies have been identified as possible contributors to the gas explosion and they will be subjected to further investigations. The blast left a strong smell of gas, which led to residents living near the scene calling for government to relocate them until the area was declared safe. The Gauteng government has set up a command centre at the Mary Fitzgerald Square tasked with monitoring the CBD for possible explosions. On Thursday afternoon, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi announced that the Department of Employment and Labour would lead the probe into the gas blast. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Alpha Ramushwana at EWN. Read too, Investigation outlines three possible scenarios that led to CBD explosion, at TimesLIVE. En ook, Steeds geen antwoorde oor Jhb-ontploffing, by Maroela Media Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Repo rate remains unchanged thanks to inflation moderating The Citizen reports that consumers heaved a collective sigh of relief on Thursday when the SA Reserve Bank (SARB) announced its decision to keep the repo rate at its current level of 8.25%. The decision came after Statistics SA announced on Wednesday that the inflation rate decreased by almost one percentage point in June to 5.4%, from 6.3% in May. The SARB’s decision means that the prime lending rate will remain at 11.75%. Three members of the bank’s Monetary Policy Committee voted to keep rates on hold and two preferred an increase of 25 basis points. SARB governor Lesetja Kganyago indicated that near-term prospects for the global economy were broadly unchanged, with inflation easing and growth forecasts stable, but the longer-term economic outlook clouded by risks to the inflation trajectory, ongoing geopolitical tensions and the effects of climate change. Kganyago warned that while SA’s economic conditions appeared to have improved, the longer-term outlook mirrored the uncertainty of the global environment, with prices for commodity exports continuing to weaken, while energy supply remained unreliable. Stronger El Nino conditions also threatened the agricultural outlook. On inflation, Kganyago said: “Despite recent easing in some food price components, domestic food price inflation is still elevated at 11% in June and the risk of drier weather conditions in coming months has increased. In the absence of sustained and consistent increases in energy supply, electricity prices continue to present clear inflation risks.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ina Opperman at The Citizen. Read too, Repo rate remains unchanged at 8.25%, at TimesLIVE. En ook, Nuus oor onveranderde rentekoers verwelkom, by Maroela Media
Man dies in suspected illegal mining explosion in Bram Fischerville, two injured News24 reports that a man died in a suspected illegal mining explosion in Bram Fischerville, Johannesburg, on Thursday afternoon. Two others were injured. The City's emergency management services spokesperson, Xolile Khumalo, said the explosion was caused by dynamite connected to a vehicle battery. Khumalo advised that one person died, one was rushed to hospital and another sustained minor injuries. The victim was identified as Reason Dube. Onlookers gathered outside his rented home, as forensic pathology officials retrieved his body from inside. Family members, who stood outside of the property, said they were not allowed entry because they were told it was unsafe. Read the original of the report in the above regard by Cebelihle Bhengu & Tshepiso Motloung at News24. Read too, COJ suspects zama zamas behind deadly Bram Fischerville blast, at EWN Thabazimbi Court sentences illegal miner to R80,000 or two years in jail News24 reports that the Thabazimbi Regional Court this week sentenced a man to R80,000 or two years' imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to two counts of illegal mining. Cheng Liang Tom Chen was caught transporting chrome, without a permit, on 3 August 2022. He was arrested with four other people after law enforcement agencies conducted an illegal mining disruptive operation at Zwartkop Zone 1 in the Northam area. Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Matimba Maluleke confirmed: "The operation resulted in the arrest of five suspects caught in the area transporting chrome without a permit. Chen was among the arrested suspects." He added that the teams seized one excavator, one horse truck with double trailers loaded with chrome, one tipper truck and two motor vehicles. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Tshepiso Motloung at News24 Other general posting(s) relating to mining
Unfunded wage deal and energy crisis undermine Western Cape’s health budget BL Premium reports that the government’s unfunded wage deal and the costs associated with SA’s energy crisis are set to blow the Western Cape’s health budget. Officials are projecting an overspend of close to R1bn on the R28.8bn set aside for the current financial year. The province’s current health budget is a nominal 1% lower than the R29.1bn set aside for 2022/2023. According to head of health Keith Cloete, Eskom’s inability to meet electricity demand has forced the provincial health department to make diesel purchases that were not budgeted for, with the costs for the first quarter of the 2023/2024 fiscal year topping R12m. At the same time, the department has been forced to honour the higher-than-anticipated wage settlement between government and unions, which was concluded after Treasury had finalised the February budget. The wage deal will cost the government an extra R37.4bn above the allocation set aside for compensation in the budget. “We have less money than we had before and during Covid-19, and now we have unplanned expenditure on salaries and diesel. Accounting officers in health departments across all the provinces are in a very precarious position, because no additional sources are being made available,” said Cloete. The provincial health department’s efforts to manage the risks created by Eskom’s rolling blackouts have been constrained by cost and security issues. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tamar Kahn at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
Crime-solving suffering because of SA’s missing detectives Financial Mail reports that SA’s shortage of detectives is being driven by a sense of being in a dead-end job and of having little prospect of promotion while dealing with the stress brought on by piles of case dockets. The detective deficit that Police Minister Bheki Cele revealed in parliament recently can be seen across nearly all provinces, and the numbers are staggering. The worst-affected province is the North West, with a 32% shortage of detectives. This is followed by the Northern Cape, with 25.94%, the Western Cape (24.34%), the Free State (23.76%), KwaZulu-Natal (23.31%), the Eastern Cape (10.61%) and Gauteng (5.26%). The detective shortage is not new, say experts, as it goes back at least two decades. But, the recent crime surge means the ratio of detectives to the number of cases is widening. It has reached a point where some detectives need to deal with 200 to 300 dockets. Independent crime researcher Johan Burger noted: “It is an impossible caseload, even for dedicated detectives.” Besides there being a heavy workload, career prospects are limited in the detective services. As Burger pointed out: “For many, to advance they need to apply [for positions] outside the detective services.” Another problem is that after a while detectives “become fed up and feel as if they are working harder than [officers] in other branches.” The SA Policing Union, too, has voiced its concern about the shortage of detectives and the high volumes of dockets they have to manage. The union has suggested the addition of more manpower and re-establishing specialised units. Police did not respond to questions, but in a recent statement said the SA Police Service was embarking on a re-enlistment process that would target 400 former members. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Shaun Smillie at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
Emfuleni municipal employee misses four years of work on full pay because of protection order against him The Star reports that the Gauteng MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), Mzi Khumalo, has confirmed that an Emfuleni employee has been unable to go to work for four years because of a protection order against him. The employee has been at home for the past four years, but has been fully paid, because a colleague had obtained a restraining order against him. In a written response to a question in the legislative chamber, Khumalo said the employee in question had allegedly threatened to shoot and kill his manager, who had been complaining about his absence at work. The municipality has been paying more than R500,000 a year to the employee for sitting at home. Khumalo said the matter was still pending even though the errant employee had been transferred to another department. DA representative in the Gauteng Legislature, Kingsol Chabalala, reacted: "This unresolved dispute is a massive cost to taxpayers that must not be allowed to continue. This dispute between the two employees is costing Emfuleni residents, who continue to suffer a collapse in service delivery." The DA demanded that MEC Khumalo should urgently intervene and resolve the dispute to curb any further loss of income by Emfuleni. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Itumeleng Mafisa at The Star
Man sentenced for submitting fraudulent matric certificate during SAPS recruitment drive IOL reports that a man who became a police officer by submitting a fraudulent matric certificate during a SA Police Service (SAPS) recruitment drive has been sentenced to 18 months imprisonment or must pay a R2,000 fine. The Kimberley Magistrate’s Court handed down the sentence on Mpho Gift Sekwenyane, 27, on Thursday. This after he was arrested by the provincial SAPS anti-corruption unit at his home in Buxton Village near Taung in the North West. During the 2021/22 SAPS recruitment drive, Sekwenyane applied to become a police official by submitting a fraudulent matric certificate. A thorough investigation was done and the suspect was arrested on 7 March 2023 at his home by the provincial SAPS anti-corruption unit. “We hope this conviction will serve as a deterrent to others who attempt to commit similar crimes,” Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Corporate Services, Major General Henriette De Waal, said. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sibuliso Duba at IOL
Three 'fake cops' arrested in Potchefstroom for using blue lights to rob, hijack motorists News24 reports that North West police have arrested three men for allegedly impersonated police officers, and then robbing and hijacking people after threatening them with firearms. Police spokesperson Colonel Adéle Myburgh said the men, aged 36, 39 and 43, were arrested on Wednesday afternoon in Potchefstroom and charged with possessing suspected stolen property and illegal firearms, theft, and robbery. She reported that they had received information of suspects driving in a white Ford Ranger double cab bakkie, and possibly involved in blue light hijackings and armed robberies. "The vehicle was spotted in Potchefstroom and followed to Chief Albert Luthuli Street in the Die Bult, where the team pounced on the unsuspected suspects. During the arrest, police discovered two firearms, a police uniform, a reflective jacket and other police equipment," said Myburgh. She indicated that the Ford Ranger had been equipped with a blue light and siren, as used in police vans. Initial investigations indicated that the vehicle, which was fitted with false number plates, was hijacked in Ivory Park, Tembisa. The three suspects might be linked to other cases reported in Gauteng and North West. They are expected to appear in the Potchefstroom Magistrate's Court soon. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tshepiso Motloung at News24
Eskom employee and truck driver nabbed for stealing R1 million worth of fuel oil IOL reports that an Eskom employee and a truck driver allegedly conspired to defraud Eskom by failing to deliver heavy fuel oil worth R1 million to the Matla power station in Mpumalanga. A Priority Committee on Security Energy investigation led to the arrests of the two suspects. Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe reported: “It has been found that Eskom employee Sphiwe Sindane, 36, and truck driver Loveless Mabaso, 41, who works for a company subcontracted to supply heavy fuel oil to Eskom were arrested on Wednesday after it was discovered that the pair allegedly sold and delivered heavy fuel oil to someone known to them.” Eskom is believed to have received a fraudulent invoice claiming the fuel had been delivered. The pair appeared at the Kriel Magistrate’s Court on Thursday on charges of theft and fraud. Read the full original of the short report in the above regard by Sisipho Bhuta at IOL Bank employee who refused to return R150,000 accidentally deposited into her account, arrested IOL reports that a 28-year-old bank employee from the Eastern Cape, who allegedly refused to return money erroneously deposited into her bank account, was arrested this week by the Mthatha-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation of the Hawks and charged with theft. Provincial Hawks spokesperson Captain Yolisa Mgolodela explained that on 21 June 2021, the complainant, also a bank employee, mistakenly transferred R150,000 into Aaliya Govender's account. "The complainant made numerous efforts to reverse the transaction without success. The suspect then allegedly transferred the money to her savings account for personal use," Mgolodela said. The complainant lodged a complaint at Ngangelizwe Community Service Centre, which was later transferred to the Mthatha Serious Commercial Crime Investigation of the Hawks. This led to an extensive investigation and Govender's subsequent arrest on 19 July 2023. "Govender appeared in the Mthatha Specialised Commercial Crimes Court and was released on R5,000 bail the same day of her arrest," Mgolodela reported. The case was postponed to 21 August for further investigation. Read the original of the report in the above regard by Jolene Marriah-Maharaj at IOL Other internet posting(s) in this news category
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