In our Thursday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South African
labour-related reports.
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Northern Cape health department head Dion Theys served with warrant of arrest for irregular PPE procurement TimesLIVE reports that the head of the department of health in the Northern Cape, Dr Dion Theys, is among nine suspects on whom the Hawks have served warrants of arrest in relation to the irregular procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the Covid-19 panic. “The suspects are accused of fraud, corruption, money laundering and contravening the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA). The provincial department of health suffered a loss of R16.9m,” said Hawks spokesperson Lt-Col Tebogo Thebe. He advised that Theys was the acting accounting officer at the time the crimes were carried out. Last week, Theys was convicted on another charge of contravening the PFMA and fined R150,000 or three years’ imprisonment by the Kimberley specialised commercial crimes court. The conviction was in relation to the irregular procurement of nursing accommodation during 2010 and 2012. The Hawks' priority crime specialised investigation unit previously secured a preservation order worth R5.3m, which included a piece of land and a luxury vehicle, related to the current investigation. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ernest Mabuza at TimesLIVE
Two contract workers killed, four others injured in explosion at Tshwane school on Wednesday The Citizen reports that two contact workers were killed in a gas explosion at the Zodwa Special School in Pretoria on Wednesday. Four others were also injured in the blast in Atteridgeville. According to Tshwane’s emergency services spokesperson Charles Mabaso, firefighters responded to the incident at about 10am. “Firefighters arrived on the scene to find a collapsed structure of container classrooms that was on fire. They were informed that one person was still trapped in the burning containers. A badly burnt and charred body of a male person was discovered during firefighting operations, and a second body of which the gender could not be determined was later discovered as operations continued,” Mabaso reported. He added: “Four other patients were transported by ambulance to Kalafong Hospital before the arrival of the Tshwane Emergency Services on the scene. It is alleged that the four injured and two deceased are employees of a contractor that was contracted to do repair works on two container classrooms.” After the fire was extinguished, the scene was handed over to the police for further investigation. Read the original of the report in the above regard by Faizel Patel at The Citizen. Read too, Tshwane EMS mop up Zodwa Special School following detrimental blaze, at EWN. En ook, Twee dood in gasontploffing by Pta-skool, by Maroela Media Western Cape NPA head declines to prosecute anyone for deadly 2018 Denel explosion News24 reports that the Director for Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the Western Cape has decided not to criminally prosecute anyone for the deadly 2018 explosion at the Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM) factory in Somerset West. In a letter sent to the legal representative of the families of the eight people who were killed in the blast, Western Cape DPP head, advocate Nicolette Bell, said representations received were carefully considered, but “I have decided not to institute any prosecution in the matter." The Department of Employment and Labour established a Section 32 inquiry in May 2021 to probe the blast, which occurred in September 2018. In its report, the inquiry detailed several contraventions, including a "failure to conduct the risk assessment when installing a new iris valve, which is deemed as the modification by the employer." Inquiry chairperson Mphumzi Dyulete recommended criminal prosecution, saying: "The incident was caused by an act of omission of criminal nature on the part of Rheinmetall Denel Munition (Pty) Ltd, as represented by Norbert Schultze, the chief executive officer at the time of the incident". During the inquiry, witnesses testified about structural shortcomings, defective designs, as well as unnecessary overtime, even when there were no large orders. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Marvin Charles at News24 Order compelling government to protect Intercape buses in Eastern Cape made final News24 reports that on Tuesday, the Eastern Cape High Court in Makhanda made final an earlier order which compelled Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga, Eastern Cape Transport MEC Xolile Nqatha and the police to develop a comprehensive plan to "provide for the safety and security of long-distance bus drivers and passengers". The order forms part of an ongoing legal bid by long-distance coach company Intercape to compel national and provincial authorities to provide safe passage for its buses. It requires that they implement a visible law enforcement presence at every loading point in hotspot areas, at times when buses load passengers, as well as law enforcement escorts for buses on hotspot routes. Hotspot towns include Cofimvaba, Butterworth, Engcobo, Tsomo, and Idutywa. Judge John Smith lambasted the authorities for the "dereliction of its constitutional duties" in taking action against violence aimed at long-haul buses operating in the Eastern Cape. He said: “It boggles the mind why it is so difficult for a law enforcement agent to appreciate that when armed assailants take potshots at moving buses, deleterious consequences inevitably ensue, and sooner than later people will suffer serious injuries and, heaven forbid, may lose their lives.” He added that the "action plan and its implementation have been woefully inadequate to ensure the safety and security of long-distance bus drivers and passengers". Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nicole McCain at News24. Lees ook, ‘Staat versuim plig teenoor Intercape’ – regter, by Maroela Media Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Popcru says crime statistics don’t reflect crime in SA because of serious flaws in data collection TimesLIVE reports that the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) does not believe police quarterly crime statistics provide an accurate account of crime trends. According to the union’s president, Zizamele Cebekhulu-Makhaza, the figures were not aligned with the realities facing their members and communities, and the situation might be even worse than indicated. On Wednesday, Cebekhulu-Makhaza opened this year’s three-day policing indaba in Boksburg. Under the theme “Building Ideal Policing and Corrections for the 21st Century,” the indaba is intended to reshape the landscape of law enforcement. He said the first question to be asked was whether SA’s police service was failing in the fight against crime, in regard to which the latest quarterly crime stats released by minister Bheki Cele painted a bloody picture. Cebekhulu-Makhaza said there are several serious underlying issues and flaws in the data collection methodologies that had to be addressed, such as inaccurate data collated from each province and department, the underreporting of crimes, and variances in the interpretation and classification of crimes. Together, these might have resulted in significant discrepancies. He said it was time for a thorough review of the figures and for discussions to rectify the discrepancies, to better represent the true state of the country’s crime situation. Cebekhulu-Makhaza noted that police killings continued unabated and said they were seeking to develop plans to strengthen relationships between police and communities. Read the full original of the informative report in the above regard by Phathu Luvhengo at BusinessLive
Parties to road freight and logistics bargaining council agree to extend main collective agreement for another year Engineering News reports that the parties to the Road Freight and Logistics Industry Bargaining Council (NBCRFLI) have agreed to extend the main collective agreement for another year, starting from 1 March 2024, until 28 February 2025. The parties involved are the Road Freight Association, the National Employers’ Association of SA, the SA Transport and Allied Workers’ Union and the Motor Transport Workers’ Union of SA. The extension means that the wages of workers in the sector will go up by 7% across the board, which will apply to everyone across the different levels, including employees in a special group called Extended Bargaining Unit (EBU) up to Paterson Grade B4. Employees in the EBU at Paterson Grade C1, however, will get a 6% increase. The agreement was approved by Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi on 28 July and also covers employers and employees who are not part of the organisations that directly agreed. In terms of additional payments, there will also be increases in various allowances: Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Engineering News
Consumer inflation slows in July to two-year low of 4.7% BL Premium reports that consumer inflation fell even more in July, reaching the lowest level in two years and moving further within the Reserve Bank’s 3%-6% target range. Stats SA on Tuesday said headline inflation moderated to 4.7% in July, from June’s 5.4%. The annual core inflation, which excludes prices of food, nonalcoholic beverages, fuel and energy, reached a 10-month low of 4.7% in July 2023, from 5% in the previous month. Absa economist Miyelani Maluleke noted that while the 15.1% rise in electricity tariff kicked in at municipalities from July and was reflected in the data, this was offset by further moderation in fuel and food inflation. Stats SA said the transport category, previously a major upward driver of inflation, helped to pull overall inflation down in July. Other factors contributing to the moderation of the headline rate were food and non-alcoholic beverages, which eased to 9.9% in July from June’s 11%, while inflation for bread and cereals slowed to 13.1% from 15.5%. Capital Economics’ Jason Tuvey said the big falls in inflation were probably over and the headline rate was likely to hover around 4.8%-5% year-on-year for the rest of 2023. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Thuletho Zwane at BusinessLive (subscriber access only). Read too, Inflation slows to lowest level in two years, at Fin24. En ook, Inflasie laagste in twee jaar; nog dalings verwag, by Maroela Media Massive petrol and diesel price hikes still on the cards for September Earlier this month it was reported that early monthly data was pointing to huge fuel price increases for September 2023, affecting both petrol and diesel. Unfortunately, the outlook has since deteriorated even further. According to the latest daily snapshot from the Central Energy Fund, 95 unleaded petrol is looking set to increase by R1.60 per litre, while diesel will be in the red to the tune of around R2.75. Should these predictions hold true, motorists will end up paying around R23.70 for a litre of 95 Unleaded at the coast and R24.43 in the inland regions such as Gauteng, where 93 ULP would rise to around R24.03. The last time petrol was that expensive was in June 2022. The wholesale price of 50ppm diesel, meanwhile, is likely to rise to around R22.57 at the coast and R23.28 inland, which is still somewhat below the 2022 record of R25.75. The official petrol and diesel prices for September 2023 will be announced on 4 September, with the actual adjustments taking place on 6 September. The Automobile Association commented as follows: “These surges in prices will pile pressure on all diesel users, but particularly large users in the agricultural, retail, manufacturing, and retail sectors. Consumers should brace for increases at the till as costs are recovered through higher prices.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jason Woosey at IOL
Average take-home pay recovered in July despite interest rates and ongoing rolling blackouts The Citizen reports that according to the BankservAfrica Take-home Pay Index (BPTI), there was a welcome recovery in salaries in July for the second month in a row. This was despite the challenges in the SA economy, such as the ongoing rolling blackouts, elevated interest rates, a lacklustre job market and low confidence levels. “The average nominal take-home pay in July was R15,503, notably higher than the R14,169 in June this year and R14,509 in July 2022,” BankservAfrica’s Shergeran Naidoo reported. The average real take-home pay came out of its prolonged slump, growing by 1.2% year-on-year to show the first positive growth rate since September 2021. Economist Elize Kruger said this was the first glimmer of hope for salaries driven by the notable moderation in consumer inflation. However, she warned that this might not be a sustainable trend: “The renewed pressure on fuel prices has surfaced again and the depreciation of the rand exchange rate will add to the cost of imported products, pushing inflation higher.” More than 63,000 salaries were paid in July 2023, but these were not enough to offset the previous month’s losses. The job market is likely to remain lacklustre for the remainder of the year. The BankservAfrica Private Pensions Index (BPPI) ticked up further in both nominal and real terms during July, continuing its solid performance. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ina Opperman at The Citizen. Read too, SA salaries improved slightly in July, at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
Six Eastern Cape paramedics arrested for securing work with false matric certificates granted bail of R5,000 each News24 reports that the Eastern Cape Department of Health has welcomed the arrest of six paramedics for alleged academic fraud, describing the arrests as an effort to promote clean and good governance. The six, whom the Hawks arrested on Monday, stand accused of securing their positions by submitting fraudulent matric certificates. They appeared in the Zwelitsha Magistrate's Court on Tuesday on charges of fraud, forgery and uttering. They were released on R5,000 bail each, and their case was remanded to 11 September. The accused work for the Joe Gqabi Emergency Medical Services (EMS). The department said five of the six accused were still in its employ, with the sixth suspect having resigned in 2022. The six officials started in their positions on 8 April 2015. A Hawks spokesperson noted that the requirements for the position included a Grade 12 certificate or equivalent qualification and went on to report: "On 24 March 2022, the officials were requested to submit their original certificates, and the officials allegedly failed to submit the certificates. The department embarked on verification of qualifications [and] their Grade 12 certificates were declared fraudulent.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Malibongwe Dayimani at News24
UIF scammer in Limpopo fraudulently promises quicker processing time The Citizen reports that an individual using the alias ‘Mr Ledwaba’ has been exposed for duping Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) payout seekers in Limpopo. The alleged con artist has been capitalising on the desperation of those in need, convincing them that he holds an official position within the Department of Labour and Employment (DEL). Under this guise, he solicits money from unsuspecting victims, promising to expedite the processing of their claims. Now, the DEL has warned the residents of Mokopane, Limpopo, to be on high alert and strongly advised the public against falling for the deceptions. “Officials within the department do not and will not request money from individuals seeking assistance. The promise of a quicker processing time for a fee is nothing more than a clever ruse designed to exploit vulnerable individuals,” said Mapula Tloubatla, the DEL’s media communications officer. Mokopane regional manager Magda Glover issued a call for vigilance. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Devina Haripersad at The Citizen
Metrorail Western Cape manager Richard Walker confirmed to have been fired in June Cape Times reports that Metrorail Western Cape regional manager, Richard Walker, is the latest official to have been shown the door by the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa). It has come to light that Walker was dismissed on 1 June. Walker is not new to making headlines, after allegations including mismanagement previously surfaced against him. Early in 2020, Prasa announced that Walker had been placed on paid leave amid “multiple challenges and lapses”. It claimed the decision was aimed at stabilising the region and improving performance, with train services in the province the “most troubled” of all the regions. Regional engineering manager, Raymond Maseko, stepped in the position and has been the acting regional head for the past two years. Prasa’s spokesperson, Andiswa Makanda, confirmed Walker’s dismissal: “Mr Richard Walker was dismissed by the organisation in June 2023 after a disciplinary process. Plans are underway to advertise the position of a regional manager in the Western Cape by the end of October 2023.” According to insiders at Prasa, the decision to sack Walker came after he allegedly failed to attend his disciplinary hearing. The disciplinary procedure apparently states that if a person misses their hearing three times without notification, the company can fire the employee in their absence. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Okuhle Hlati at Cape Times
Sexual harassment complaints against manager at Home Affairs in Alberton go back for over 10 years The Citizen reports that the Public Servants Association (PSA) has condemned an alleged failure by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) to act on sexual harassment claims at its Alberton office. In a statement, the PSA said it had received complaints regarding harassment, sexual harassment, and victimisation of staff in the office which were allegedly experienced daily. According to the PSA, it has reported the matter to the minister’s office and called for the removal of the manager concerned with immediate effect. DHA spokesperson Siya Qoza said the “matter is receiving the necessary attention”. A DHA employee at the Alberton office said the issue of harassment and victimisation of staff had been an ongoing problem for more than 10 years. According to the staff member, there had been several cases and complaints brought against the manager. The complaints of staff had been brought to the attention of district managers and the provincial manager, who allegedly “laughed off” the matter as “it is just the way he is”, and “it is in his culture”. The staff member said it was only recently that they decided to inform the PSA as “nothing had been done” by the department. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lunga Simelane at The Citizen
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