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 roundup of weekend news, see
summaries of our selection of South African
labour-related stories that appeared since
Friday, 1 September 2023.
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Ramaphosa honours 34 cops killed in line of duty, says attacks on police officers must end IOL reports that on Sunday President Cyril Ramaphosa led the annual commemoration in honour of police officers who were killed in the line of duty across SA. Thirty-four police officers and reservists died in the line of duty between 1 April 2022 and 31 March 2023. Addressing the sombre event at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, Ramaphosa said there must be justice “and there will be justice” for the families of the fallen “heroes and heroines”. “The hard work of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations, known as the Hawks, has resulted in the arrest of 76 suspected police murderers over the past year. These cases are currently before different courts,” he said. A total of 488 suspects have been arrested for deaths of police officers since 2018. “We must continue to arrest, prosecute and convict those who wilfully undermine the authority of State,” said Ramaphosa. Last week, the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) said better remuneration and improved living conditions for police officers could arrest the scourge of murder targeted at the law enforcement agents. It was reported last week that at least 31 police officers were killed in the last three months, and that police management was deeply concerned about the trend. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jonisayi Maromo at IOL Alleged hitman in court for murder last year of KZN warrant officer whose name now appears on Memorial Wall Daily News reports that while his alleged killer remains in custody, Warrant Officer Andrew Houston’s name is among 34 police officers whose names are engraved on the Memorial Wall at the Union Buildings. Last Wednesday, Hawks members from Port Shepstone Serious Organised Crime Investigation arrested Lwazi Dlamini, 31, for Houston’s murder. In June last year, Houston, 52, was shot and killed in Harding, KwaZulu-Natal South Coast. He was stationed at Harding SAPS Detectives. Houston was driving an unmarked state vehicle in the Harding central business district when an unknown suspect shot at him. He was declared dead at the scene and a case of murder was reported at Harding police station. A case docket was allocated to the Hawks for intensive investigation. KZN Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Simphiwe Mhlongo reported last week: “Dlamini was arrested at Umtata Correctional Service and briefly appeared in the Harding Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. He was remanded in custody and the case was postponed to September 28.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Thobeka Ngema at Daily News National traffic police officer shot dead, another injured in ‘brutal attack’ while buying food at Joburg petrol station IOL reports that a national traffic police officer has died, and another officer is recovering in hospital following “a brutal attack” while the two were on duty in Joburg. “The attack took place in the early hours of this (Sunday) morning when the officers, who were on duty near Diepsloot in Johannesburg, went to get food at a nearby filling station,” said Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) spokesperson Simon Zwane. It is believed that a crime was in progress when the officers unknowingly drove into the filling station. “They came under fire from the criminals and one was fatally wounded and died on the scene,” said Zwane. Ironically, the two police officers were attacked on the day President Cyril Ramaphosa led the annual SA Police Service (SAPS) national commemoration day in Pretoria. Ramaphosa joined families of police officers and reservists who had lost their lives in the line of duty. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jonisayi Maromo at IOL Police officer, tow truck operator killed after truck ploughed into accident scene in Pietermaritzburg on Friday night News24 reports that a police officer and tow truck operator were killed when a truck ploughed into them at an accident scene on the N3 Durban-bound near Liberty Mall, Pietermaritzburg, on Friday night. ALS Paramedics spokesperson Garrith Jamieson said when they arrived on the first scene, the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) and paramedics found that a truck had overturned and landed on its side. "RTI traffic police cornered off the area and placed vehicles strategically to provide advanced warning of the accident scene [while] ALS paramedics staff were attending to the driver, who had sustained minor injuries," Jamieson reported. He said a truck ploughed into the accident scene while teams were attending to the driver. Jamieson said: “Unfortunately, there were casualties in the secondary collision. A police officer, a tow truck operator and one of our medics were struck.” The police officer and the tow operator died on the scene as a result of their injuries. The medic was and rushed through to hospital for specialist care and he underwent emergency surgery shortly thereafter. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lisalee Solomons at News24 Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Tshwane metro and unions expect to hear bargaining council decision on wage increase on Wednesday Pretoria News reports that the City of Tshwane and its two unions, the SA Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) and Independent Municipal and Allied Union (Imatu), will have to wait a few more days to learn the outcome of the bargaining council decision on a wage increase. The metro and the unions met the Local Government Collective Bargaining Council last week to argue their cases on whether the striking municipal workers should get a pay increase. The employees have been striking for nearly five weeks in demand of a 5.4% pay increase while the metro has claimed bankruptcy. The municipality has sought an exemption for proposed pay increases that was heard by senior commissioner Eleanor Hambidge on Wednesday. However, according to the municipality’s chief of staff, Jordan Griffiths, both the union and city were still waiting for the ruling, which had to be delivered within 30 days from the date of application. Griffiths said the metro applied for the exemption on 10 August this year. “This means the judgment would be due by September 9,” he indicated. Samwu provincial secretary Mpho Tladinyane confirmed that the union was also still waiting for the commissioner to issue an award. But although there is no telling what the commissioner will decide, Samwu is not backing down over the pay increase. Samwu also warned that it would be approaching the courts over the city’s decision to withhold the salaries of the 319 striking employees. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mashudu Sadike at Pretoria News Other internet posting(s) in this news category
National Treasury outlines drastic measures to curb spending, freeze new jobs and infrastructure projects Sunday Times reports that the National Treasury has proposed radical measures to rein in runaway government spending, while warning of “unprecedented challenges” and raising a red flag over SA’s deteriorating public finances. The drastic steps include a freeze on advertising new appointments, a drastic reduction in spending and a call on departments to fund increases for public servants “within departmental baselines”. The spending cuts indicate that the government has “run out of money” and faces a “debt trap” as growth has stalled in the past few years. The Treasury document, which is still a proposal, follows a cabinet meeting in mid-August at which ministers were warned of the government's desperate financial position and dwindling tax revenue. The government last implemented an austerity freeze in 2013 in the wake of the global financial crisis of 2008/9. Warning that the country's growth outlook has “worsened significantly relative to expectations in the 2023 Budget”, the Treasury wants a freeze on hiring new public-service staff. It is also calling for a halt to advertising of new procurement contracts for all infrastructure projects, “drastically reducing spending on non-essential travel” and a freeze on spending on catering and conferences. ““What is concerning and saddening is that the directive does not make provision for how we are going to curb maladministration and corruption in the public service, which is a single factor that is causing the public service to have a problem with spending,” said Claude Naicker of the Public Servants Association. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sam Mkokeli & Amanda Khoza at Sunday Times (subscriber access only)
Illegal mining: Roodepoort residents are ‘prisoners’ of turf wars Mail & Guardian reports that the displacement of illegal artisanal mining gangs by the police causes the miners to flee to other areas, resulting in violent turf wars that spill over into neighbouring areas. At the end of July, protests erupted in Riverlea in Johannesburg. Residents demanded that the police act against heavily armed gangs from the Zamimpilo informal settlement, an illegal mining hotspot, who have been killing each other in deadly turf wars. Specialised units of the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) and the SA Police Service (SAPS) launched crackdowns on Zamimpilo’s miners, who have now been displaced to the informal settlement of Jerusalema – another illegal mining hotspot. Special operations in recent weeks by the JMPD and SAPS have involved breaking down the unattended shacks in Jerusalema which are being used for the storage of ammunition, phendukas (machines for gold refining) and mining equipment. On 17 August, about 45 women and 17 children from Jerusalema fled to the Florida police station, seeking refuge as warring factions exchanged heavy fire. “What’s happening is that the zama zamas are having a turf war because they’re being evicted out of the area. They’re having a turf war over area and over equipment as well,” explained Jaundre Compaan, a senior security officer in the tactical division of Help24. Residents feel as if they are prisoners in their homes, said Werner Steenkamp, who has lived in Roodepoort all his life. “We hear their blasting with explosives and the shooting happens day and night. It’s really become bad,” he lamented. Although there has been some improvement in Riverlea, Mark Kayter, the chairperson of the Riverlea Mining Forum, doesn’t expect it to last long. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sheree Bega at Mail & Guardian (subscriber access only) Ramaphosa talks tough on illegal mining Mail & Guardian reports that ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa says the scourge of illegal mining and an influx of illegal immigrants are negatively impacting the country. He was speaking at the ANC Manifesto 2019 review in Soweto on Sunday. Ramaphosa indicated that the government was in the process of implementing programmes that would address the problem. These programmes will see the departments of police minister Bheki Cele and minister of home affairs Arron Motsoaledi working together to address the scourge. According to the department of mineral resources and energy (DMRE), the economy lost about R49 billion in 2019 to illegal mining. Moreover, mining companies spend over R2 billion on security just to prevent these illicit activities. According to Ramaphosa, the ANC was currently strengthening policies to help affected ministries effectively do their jobs. “We will work together with South African Police Services to address zama zama’s in our towns and address criminality. Foreign national programmes have been initiated and illegal foreigners are being arrested. Better know that from now on, if you are not documented, you will be arrested,” he said. Ramaphosa added that he had instructed ministers to examine how laws could be changed to allow the government to act faster without violating people’s rights. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mandisa Nyathi at Mail & Guardian Other labour / community posting(s) relating to mining
Other general posting(s) relating to mining
Nehawu targets Lindiwe Zulu and acting DG for ‘dodgy deal’ City Press reports that a signed memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Department of Social Development (DSD) and the US African Development Foundation (USADF), committing SA to five years of funding of small to medium-sized businesses, has raised questions about how DSD Minister Lindiwe Zulu and acting director-general Linton Mchunu got involved as they are no longer working for the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD). Before the Cabinet reshuffle that resulted in Zulu’s move to the DSD in 2019, she was the DSBD minister, while Mchunu was her chief of staff. Government officials and trade unions have accused Zulu and Mchunu of committing SA to a deal with an international agency without following internal and government protocols. It was recently reported that Zulu had recommended Mchunu to the Cabinet as director-general, but several objections – including from her deputy – had forced the Department of Public Service and Administration to withdraw the recommendation. Allegations of nepotism prompted Nehawu to call for an investigation and the removal of both Zulu and Mchunu. For the past few weeks, the union has embarked on daily lunchtime protests. Nehawu claimed Zulu had failed to stop or cancel the MOU, despite her awareness of its irregularity from the outset. A senior government official said: “The minister breached the oath of office by not acting. She and Mchunu are doing this thing together.” Zulu and her department failed to answer questions, despite receiving them weeks ago. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Norman Masungwini at City Press (subscriber access only)
Gordhan blasts Transnet bosses, demands that new board reviews their skills Fin24 reports that after Transnet reported a R5.7 billion loss for its 2023 year, Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan promised that there were plans afoot to tackle the state-owned logistics group’s deteriorating performance decisively. Gordhan said the group was at an inflection point and would now be subject to a rigorous review under the leadership of a new board, which had been recently installed. "Transnet’s leadership must internalise the gravity of the situation and the extensive repercussions of persistent underperformance," he said, adding that the time for transformation of Transnet had arrived. As the shareholder, the ministry has directed the newly installed Transnet board to report back its recommendations and decisions within the next three weeks on key areas. One such area is a thorough review of the executive management, "with a view to establishing whether persons with the right skills are optimally utilised to deliver on the mandate." Gordhan has also asked the board to identify the root causes of the inability of management and staff to meet performance targets and to produce a plan to deal with the deficiencies. Other areas to be addressed include a framework for transparency and accountability in respect of the turnaround strategy, as well as for a broader culture of accountability and transparency in the organisation. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lisa Steyn at Fin24 PetroSA chairperson accused of fabricating a court order A City Press investigation discovered that Gwede Mantashe had failed to conduct a thorough background check on Nkululeko Poya before appointing him to the state-owned entity responsible for energy security. Last week, Poya opened a pandora’s box about his past and how he was appointed when he was exposed for allegedly creating a fraudulent court order purported to be from the North Gauteng High Court, which he submitted to his employers at state-owned entity PetroSA when applying for the CEO position. This prompted Mantashe and Chief Justice Raymond Zondo to institute an investigation into the fraudulent court order and report the matter to the SA Police Service. Poya is currently the acting board chairperson of PetroSA after being seconded to the position by the mother body, the Central Energy Fund (CEF). Last week, Mantashe requested Poya to furnish him with a written response, including an affidavit in relation to the validity and existence of the said court order and allegations against him. The Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ) confirmed that the chief registrar of the Gauteng division of the High Court had received an inquiry in relation to the verification of the court order. While at PetroSA, three labour unions, the Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers’ Union; the National Union of Metalworkers of SA and Solidarity wrote numerous scathing letters to the acting CEF CEO Sandisiwe Ncemane and CEF board chairperson Ayanda Noah, complaining about Poya’s behaviour. According to the union leaders, their joint letters have been ignored. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Norman Masungwini & Mpumzi Zuzile at City Press (subscriber access only)
Watchdog names thousands of employers who haven’t paid over retirement fund contributions and deductions Fin24 reports that the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) has published a list of thousands of employers who are in arrears with their contributions to retirement funds. A quarter of the offending companies have contributions outstanding for five or more years, while just under a quarter have outstanding contributions for between 13 months and five years. The worst offenders are more than 250 months behind. Several of the outstanding payments are due from municipalities. "The FSCA’s preliminary statistics indicated that municipalities and private sector companies have approximately R1 billion and R6 billion arrear contributions, respectively," the FSCA said last week. Among the private sector, by far the greatest number of payments due come from the private security sector, with many of the named companies linked to the same fund. While the list – which runs to over 100 pages – has the names of 3,262 employers that have fallen foul of the law with regard to retirement funds, it isn't comprehensive as the FSCA received the names of 5,430 employers who had contravened section 13A of the PFA as at 30 April 2023. The full list of employers can be viewed here. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Marelise van der Merwe at Fin24 Other internet posting(s) in this news category
No more bribes: Cape Town traffic police get bodycams BusinessLive reports that motorists wanting to bribe traffic officers in Cape Town had better think again, as the city has started equipping its law enforcement officers with body cameras that record all interactions. The rollout, which includes in-vehicle cameras with automated number plate (ANPR) technology, is the first of its kind in SA and forms part of Cape Town’s R860m safety technology investment over the next three years to make the city safer. The city will equip 800 officers, including traffic police, with bodycams and install 290 in-vehicle dashboard mounted cameras, or dashcams, this financial year. Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said the game-changing ability of the ANPR dashcams piloted in the new highway patrol unit launched last year had already been seen. He added: “Based on these learnings, we’re now rolling out cutting edge in-vehicle cameras across our vehicles. Together with body-worn cameras, this will massively enhance situational awareness and the quality of evidence gathering to ensure more convictions.” He said the move would also increase trust and accountability in the municipal police and law enforcement, as interactions with the public would now always be recorded. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Denis Droppa at BusinessLive Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Battle to suspend alleged sex-pest principal at top primary school in Pietermaritzburg Sunday Times reports that a top boys’ school is battling to suspend its principal who allegedly sexually harassed women staff, improperly hired his own wife, became drunk on school tours, and told parents at a quiz night that it was “no wonder your boys are so f***ing stupid – you parents can’t even answer the questions”. The school governing body (SGB) of Merchiston Preparatory School in Pietermaritzburg – founded in 1892 – has gone to court to try to get the KwaZulu-Natal education department to suspend principal Llewellyn Bragin pending an investigation into his conduct. However, the department suspended his deputy, Eric White, for reasons it refused to divulge, in a move the SGB said was “contemptible and inconsistent”. Bragin, meanwhile, denies the allegations and the “vicious attack on my character and credibility”, and in court papers accuses White of wanting his job and conspiring with the SGB to oust him. Attached to the affidavit by Merchiston’s SGB chair Warren Smith are allegations that Bragin also verbally abused staff while he was deputy principal at Johannesburg’s King Edward VII Preparatory School. Despite this, Bragin was employed at Merchiston in February last year. Attached to the SGB’s 200-page court application are copies of staff complaints addressed to the SGB's lawyers. The affidavit further states that the teachers also laid complaints against Bragin with the SA Council of Educators (Sace). The SGB took the case to the High Court in Pietermaritzburg on an urgent basis in June, but the court ruled the matter was not urgent. The department started its investigation into Bragin’s conduct last week. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sabelo Skiti at Sunday Times (subscriber access only)
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