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 Thursday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South African
labour-related reports.
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Samwu march in Tshwane on Wednesday broken up after objects thrown at police TimesLIVE reports that SA Municipal Workers’ Union [Samwu] members who marched to Tshwane’s municipal offices on Wednesday to present demands regarding the nonpayment of their salary increases for this year were dispersed after their march turned violent. Workers were apparently seen throwing objects at police. The members had gone to Tshwane House to present a memorandum of demands, after the tabling by the Tshwane council in April of the 2023/24 budget with no salary increases for municipal employees for the financial year. The municipality had earlier announced it would apply for exemption from the salary collective agreement with the unions, which it failed to implement. On Wednesday morning, the city said it had received reports of intimidation of employees at Rosslyn fire station, and at Rosslyn, Karenpark and Lyttelton clinics, at the region 4 customer care walk-in centre, at Akasia municipal offices and at the Bronkhortspruit licensing centre. Those buildings were closed on Wednesday. Addressing the union leadership, Tshwane mayor Cilliers Brink said the city had to make tough decisions because Tshwane's finances were in a terrible state. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ernest Mabuza at TimesLIVE. Read too, Tshwane police use stun grenades to disperse protesting Samwu members, at EWN Samwu march in Tshwane marred by violence over “internal problems” related to corruption allegations GroundUp reports that tensions in the SA Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) and workers employed by the City of Tshwane erupted during a march in the city centre on Wednesday. Among other demands, the march by several thousand people was to demand that the municipality should increase salaries, . However, the protest was marred by violence with verbal insults and sporadic scuffles among marchers. People were also seen burning their Samwu T-shirts. A group of about ten men and women, dressed in Samwu branded T-shirts, were seen booing and showing insults at some union leaders on stage. They also threw mud and other objects at the leaders. One item struck Samwu regional deputy chairperson Zeblon Matlala in the face. “You are selling us out … You are not our leaders,” shouted one irate person, while another shouted “We want other leaders who can listen to us and resolve our issues.” Samwu regional secretary Precious Theledi said the tension related to issues with some members who had demanded that leaders should first resolve a few “internal problems related to allegations of corruption” before going ahead with the march. After some negotiations, the march proceeded peacefully to the offices of the City. According to Theledi, the march brought a halt to operations in many municipal departments. Workers’ demands included issues with the implementation of performance management, a R500-million Akhile payment, a R700-million Altron contract, and the way the metro police grading system was being implemented. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Warren Mabona at GroundUp Other internet posting(s) in this news category
'We have never been positively identified', say officers in VIP unit attack News24 reports that the eight Presidential Protection Services police officers accused of assaulting motorists on the N1 highway in Gauteng claim they have not been positively identified by the victims and, therefore, want the court to release them on bail. In the Randburg Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, seven of the men submitted their affidavits to be released on bail. Shadrack Molekatlane Kojoana submitted his affidavit on Monday. Kojoana also took the stand to give his version of the events of 2 July. An attorney, Xabiso Shotshonganye, filed the bail bids for three of the accused. He argued that his clients had not been "positively" identified by the complainants. An attorney, Fanie Kabini, submitted the bail bids for the remaining four accused. The men denied speculation that they did not abide by traffic rules, saying they should then have had "a string of charges" by now. All the accused indicated they intended to plead not guilty to the charges. They are all on suspension with full pay and said they intended to prove their innocence at trial. They denied any involvement regarding a threatening message a State witness received. State advocate Elize Le Roux said the State witness, who received footage from an anonymous source, feared for his and his family's lives. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Iavan Pijoos at News24 (subscriber access only). Read too, Assault-accused VIP officers deny links to menacing message, at BusinessLive Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Hulamin strike ends after Numsa scores better employee funds benefits Business Report writes that the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) has welcomed a settlement agreement it signed with Hulamin. On Friday, the KwaZulu-Natal-based aluminium semi-fabricator and exporter notified its shareholders that an agreement had been reached and said the company expected to be fully operational this week. Numsa members went on strike on 10 July. “We are pleased to confirm that we were able to find each other on [these] two crucial issues, and end the strike,” Numsa general secretary Irwin Jim, said in a statement. Part of the dispute that triggered the strike was that the union wanted the employer to equalise the contributions to the pension and provident funds. There is an in-house pension fund to which some workers belong called the Hulamin Pension Fund to which the employer was contributing 12.5%. However, when it came to the provident fund contributions to the Metals and Engineering Industries Bargaining Council (MEIBC), known as the MIBFA fund, the employer was only contributing 7.9%. “Our members demanded that the bosses must ensure that they equalise the contribution by increasing it from 7.9% to 12.5%,” said Jim. The strike helped to secure this demand, because instead of the employer phasing in this increase over three years, the increase was immediate, he indicated. In addition, the employer agreed to increase its medical aid contribution to 49.5% from a cap of 40% previously. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Edward West at Business Report
BankServAfrica’s index shows small rise in take-home pay in June BL Premium reports that BankServAfrica’s take-home pay index released on Wednesday shows average take-home pay increased slightly in June compared with a year ago and with last month. The index shows average nominal take-home pay for June was R14,596, more than the R14,579 in June 2022 and R14,483 the previous month. Economist Elize Kruger said they have been noting the stabilisation in salaries since April, when inflation started to trend downward after the shock 7.1% reading in March. SA headline inflation has cooled to its lowest reading in 20 months, reaching 5.4%, falling back within the Reserve Bank 3%-6% target range for the first time since April 2022. “While not definitively evident in the data yet, the pressure on salary earners could soon [decrease] somewhat based on the notable moderation in consumer inflation,” Kruger said. She added: “The moderation in consumer inflation will go some way in reducing the extent of the erosion of purchasing power that households have had to deal with, especially in the past year. Current forecasts suggest that headline inflation could be at 5% in July and average about 5.2% in the second half [of 2023], which could bring more good news.” But, Kruger added that while improving take-home pay was positive, the economic narrative had not changed meaningfully for the economy. Domestic economic activity was still dampened by ongoing load-shedding, elevated interest rates, a lacklustre job market and low confidence. BankservAfrica’s Shergeran Naidoo said their data, adjusted for weekly payments, showed that the job market remained uninspiring, moving mostly sideways. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Thuletho Zwane at BusinessLive (subscriber access only) Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Roodepoort road closed due to sinkhole caused by illegal mining TimesLIVE reports that the Johannesburg Road Agency (JRA) closed one lane of Miles Stoker Road in Roodepoort on Wednesday because of a huge sinkhole. The agency said the sinkhole developed after illegal mining in the area, including tunnelling beneath the road. JRA spokesperson Bertha Peters-Scheepers advised that for safety reasons the northbound carriageway along Miles Stoker Road, between Main Reef Road and Roodepoort, had been temporarily closed. She added: “Traffic is diverted on to the southbound carriageway until further notice. Additional closures may be introduced to ensure the safety of the public.” JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla urged motorists to exercise caution when travelling on the road towards the Roodepoort CBD. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Phathu Luvhengo at TimesLIVE Other general posting(s) relating to mining
EFF turned 10 on Wednesday, took celebrations to Marikana ‘where it all began’ IOL reports that the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) celebrated its 10th anniversary on Wednesday and took its celebrations to Marikana in the North West province. Leader Julius Malema said they chose the Marikana Koppies to celebrate the party’s decade in politics, as it was there that the EFF was born. This year marks the 11th anniversary of the Marikana massacre which claimed the lives of 34 miners who were killed when police officers opened fire on striking miners on 16 August 2012, during a wildcat strike at the Lonmin platinum mine in Marikana. Malema relayed the story of how he, along with EFF deputy president Floyd Shivambu and others, visited the surviving miners and the families of those slain, who begged them to start a political party as an “alternative to a dead ANC”. “We responded by forming the EFF. When we came here to talk to the workers, there was no idea or thinking of forming a political party until these workers insisted. We decided that the bloodshed here will give rise to a militant and radical organisation that will defend the defenceless masses of the people,” Malema said. At Wednesday’s gathering, the EFF slaughtered a number of cows and made traditional beer as a spiritual sacrifice to those who died in the Marikana massacre. “We seek to appease their spirits and assure them that they did not die in vain,” Malema told the mass gathering. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Kailene Pillay at IOL. Read too, 'Marikana is our spiritual home,' says Malema as EFF marks its 10-year anniversary at massacre site, at News24
Jobs on line at Altron after technology group lost lucrative Gauteng contract BL Premium reports that technology firm Altron has put a for-sale sign on one of its subsidiaries after it lost a lucrative Gauteng broadband network contract to MTN. The share price of Altron shed more than 5% on Wednesday after it warned investors to expect a plunge in earnings in the six months to end-August. The group said it will have to let workers go after losing out on the next phase of the lucrative Gauteng Broadband Network (GBN) to provide fibre connectivity across the province. The company’s Altron Nexus subsidiary has had the contract since 2014. It said that having implemented both phase one and two of the project, there was an expectation it would also be awarded the third phase of the project. Altron confirmed on Wednesday that it had not received the third phase contract. “The fact that GBN phase 3 was not awarded to Altron Nexus has necessitated ... a full business review, including the associated operating model of Altron Nexus,” the company advised. Altron has set aside R11m for costs associated with the retrenchments. It classified Altron Nexus and its sister company Altron Document Solutions as held-for-sale in its books as it looks for buyers for the entities. The group also has to contend with the poor finances of the City of Tshwane, where it is subcontracted under a company called Thobela Telecom. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Kabelo Khumalo & Nico Gous at BusinessLive (subscriber access only). See too, Netstar owner Altron crashes 12% after warning of hefty writedowns, at Fin24
Heineken SA employees bag empowerment stake of 6% share in company Moneyweb reports that Heineken Beverages SA on Wednesday confirmed that its almost 5,000 employees will jointly own a stake in the company through an employee share ownership plan called Bokamoso. The empowerment scheme, which was one of the conditions of ownership imposed on the Dutch brewer by local competition authorities, will see Heineken SA employees holding a 6% share in the company. According to Heineken, the perpetual employee share ownership scheme will also be open to future South African full-time employees and fixed-term contractors within the South African operations. “As a company, we recognise that our success is dependent on having the very best talent, highly motivated employees who are all guided by a strong sense of purpose. Having a scheme with no defined end date or fixed term allows benefits, in the form of dividends, to flow to both present and future employees indefinitely,” HR director Enid Lizamore said. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Akhona Matshoba at Moneyweb
DA marches against ‘race quotas’ in Employment Equity Amendment Act Business Report writes that the Democratic Alliance (DA) took to the streets of Cape Town on Wednesday and marched to Parliament against what it has termed “race quotas” in the government’s Employment Equity Amendment Bill. In April, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the bill, which has new measures to promote diversity and equality in the workplace into law. The resultant Act paves the way for the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) Minister to, among others, identify and set employment equity numerical targets for each economic sector. However, the DA said that not only would the law have an effect on the employability of coloured and Indian citizens, but it believed it would give the ANC enormous power over employment at private companies. The DA demanded a complete scrapping of the Act’s provisions that give the DEL minister the power to set racial quotas. It argued that the government determining racial quotas for private companies would result in the extension of cadre deployment into the private sector. Addressing the marchers, DA leader John Steenhuisen said about the ‘Race Quotas Act’: “This Act is not about empowerment or equality. It is about centralising the ultimate power in the ANC. The power to decide who should be employed, and who should starve." Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Kailene Pillay at . Read too, Race quotas will see 'mafias' dictating to private businesses which cadres to employ, says Steenhuisen, at News24 Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Spokesperson for Eastern Cape Education MEC suspended following use of strong language in viral video News24 reports that the spokesperson for the Eastern Cape Education MEC was suspended on Wednesday after she was captured on video arguing with a colleague and using strong language. The video showing Vuyiseka Mboxela, spokesperson for MEC Fundile Gade, arguing with a colleague and using strong language had been circulating on social media and had gone viral. In the video, Mboxela is seen standing with another woman and pointing her finger at the woman's face while speaking isiXhosa. The argument seemingly stemmed from Mboxela not greeting the woman. Mboxela wanted to know why it was an issue that she did not greet back. Mboxela said, "don't p*ss me off," and "don't sh*t on me". Mtima said the department did not tolerate any unbecoming behaviour at work, be it bullying, unfair treatment, or racism. As such, the matter has been escalated and a case opened with the Labour Relations Directorate to ensure fairness and the upholding of mutual respect among employees. Investigations into the matter have commenced. The woman who posted the video on social media, Smangaliso Mtengwane, said she had received it from someone else and had posted it to make the public aware of what was happening in that office. Mtengwane said that, in black culture, it was extremely disrespectful to not return a greeting, especially from an older person. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Candice Bezuidenhout at News24
Crawford substitute teacher dismissed after using k-word during lesson The Citizen reports that a substitute teacher at Crawford International Pretoria College has been dismissed after she was filmed writing the k-word on the board during a lesson. The video has since gone viral on social media. The teacher was allegedly trying to explain to Grade 8 pupils that they should not be affected by the k-word because they were not alive during apartheid. In a statement on Wednesday, Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane, who visited the school on Wednesday to get “details surrounding the incident”, said he supported the dismissal of the teacher. The Gauteng Department of Education‘s spokesperson, Steve Mabona, said the teacher was giving a lesson on provocative language and he explained further that “she allegedly told learners that they must not be hurt when the ‘k-word’ is used on them because they were not affected by apartheid. Her actions are vehemently unacceptable and have undeniable racist undertones which will not be tolerated in any aspect of our education sector.” The teacher will also be reported to the SA Council for Educators (SACE) for necessary investigation. Crawford said the teacher had temporarily taken the place of another teacher who had been ill. “The temporary teacher has been informed not to resume her duties, and the school reserves its rights regarding further action,” Crawford indicated. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Gareth Cotterell at The Citizen. Read too, Crawford says it will take legal action against ‘don't be hurt by K-word’ teacher who used racist language in class, at IOL. En ook, Onderwyser by Crawford College afgedank oor rassisme in klas, by Maroela Media
Owner of fleet of buses and semi-trailers arrested in R89m Mpumalanga vehicle licensing fraud case News24 reports that a Mpumalanga businessman, Morris Robert Shabalala, is the latest person to be arrested for his alleged involvement in the misappropriation of R89 million from the provincial vehicle licensing department. Shabalala, who owns a fleet of buses and semi-trailers registered under the Lamavuso Family Trust, appeared in the Mbombela Magistrate's Court on Tuesday on charges of fraud, theft, and money laundering. According to Road Traffic Management Corporation spokesperson Simon Zwane, Shabalala's arrest was linked to the arrest of 17 others, including two businesspeople, five former Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison employees and licensing officials based at the registering authorities in Mbombela, Mkhondo, Mashishing, KwaMhlushwa and Delmas. It is alleged that the community safety department employees, who worked the department's helpdesk, colluded with the licensing officials to fraudulently issue vehicle licence discs to corrupt fleet owners and company representatives. The amount of revenue lost in unpaid fees in the period 2016 to 2019 was R89 million. "In the case of Mr Shabalala, it is alleged that the file for the renewal of his fleet was unlawfully moved from the Standerton registering authority to the Nelspruit (Mbombela) helpdesk with the intention to commit a crime. Preliminary investigations showed that the state lost R343,332 in vehicle licence fees and penalties that were not paid. A lump sum of money was made into the account of one of the suspected officials on the day that the illicit transaction was concluded," Zwane reported. Shabalala was released on R15,000 bail and all the accused are expected to appear in the Mbombela Commercial Crimes Court on 30 August. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Cebelihle Bhengu at News24
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