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 Tuesday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South African
labour-related reports.
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Huge petrol, diesel price hikes confirmed for Wednesday Fin24 reports that on Wednesday, the petrol price (both 93 and 95 unleaded) will be hiked by R1.71 a litre, while the wholesale price of diesel will be increased by a painful R2.84 a litre. According to the Automobile Association (AA), this is a record price increase. Illuminating paraffin prices will be hiked by R2.78 a litre. A litre of 95 unleaded petrol will cost R24.54 in Gauteng, the highest level since August 2022. Meanwhile, the wholesale price of diesel in Gauteng will be R23.05 a litre, a new high for 2023. In July last year, diesel reached a record high of R25.40. South African fuel prices are largely determined by international oil costs and the rand exchange rate, as oil is priced in dollars. In a statement, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy said the average Brent crude oil price increased from $79.75 a barrel to $84.78 over the past month due to production cuts by Saudi Arabia. The average level of the rand-dollar exchange rate declined from R18.28 to R18.67 over the past month. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Fin24. Read too, Petrol price hikes in September worse than feared, at BusinessLive. En ook, Dramatiese verhoging in brandstofpryse: ‘Verbruikers uitgelewer’, by Maroela Media Food inflation threat isn't over, given unpredictable rand, load shedding, AVI warns Fin24 reports that consumer goods group AVI is still worried about the extent to which inflation in SA could cool in the coming months and has warned that the vagaries of the rand as well as load shedding could still bring further pain for battered consumers. Simon Crutchley, CEO of the owner of brands such as Bakers, Willards, I&J, Five Roses and Kurt Geiger, said on Monday that "some things have to fundamentally change for the inflation rate to come back quickly" and there was still a "lot of embedded inflation in SA which compounds its way through". He told investors: “I hate to say it, but everyone tends to forget about load shedding. It's not a trivial problem, it's a real big issue, it's a big cost driver. You see everybody reporting results, there are hundreds and hundreds of millions of rands worth of cost that are finding their way into the system so I guess that will affect inflation substantially.” His comments came shortly before Eskom announced on Monday that it was implementing Stage 6 load shedding from Tuesday until further notice. Casparus Treurnicht of Gryphon Asset Management commented: "We as a country face ongoing challenges to keep inflation under control. If we are not importing something that we consume, we are importing something else that produces... the rand will have an impact in one way or another. AVI is simply passing cost increases on to the consumer. Simple as that." Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nick Wilson at Fin24 Chicken prices do need to increase, RCL CEO warns Moneyweb reports that chicken prices are expected to keep rising as poultry producers struggle with input costs. Speaking on Monday, RCL CEO Paul Cruickshank did not indicate a nearing end to elevated chicken prices. This as poultry industry players, including RCL’s own Rainbow businesses, continue to battle higher operational costs, which have been pushed up mainly by elevated raw material prices. “The chicken prices do need to increase; I mean, our results are clear in the losses we’ve posted for Rainbow, and the competitors will be very similar. We are up against a consumer who can’t afford to pay… but chicken businesses across the country are making losses,” Cruickshank warned. He added that what chicken producers really needed was areduction in the raw material costs “and then that will bring a better balance between what the producer makes and what the consumer [affords].” Dawie Maree of FNB Agribusiness commented: “I think it’s unavoidable that chicken prices will rise, and there’s a couple of reasons for that. First of all, the pressure in terms of the inputs – all the way from farmer level up until processing and manufacturing level – given [high] feed costs, fuel costs and also the impact of load shedding, we definitely can expect it to rise but hopefully not for too long. At least there was some stabilisation in the feed prices. Fuel is, unfortunately, the problem at this stage, and coupled obviously with load shedding now again on higher phases, those generators need to run more.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Akhona Matshoba at Moneyweb. Read too, RCL hit by load-shedding and high maize costs, at BusinessLive (subscriber access only) Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Hawks head concerned by high number of police officers killed in SA The Citizen reports that Hawks head Lieutenant-General Godfrey Lebeya is concerned that more than 30 police officers were killed in the first quarter of the current financial year. The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (DPCI), also known as the Hawks, briefed the media in Pretoria on Monday to unpack the organisation’s achievements during the first quarter of the 2023/2024 financial year. During the briefing, Lebeya revealed that 31 (11 on-duty and 20 off-duty) police officials were killed during the period under review. “Attacks on police officials are an attack on the state and the death of one police official is one too many. Dear South Africans, for the first quarter only, we noted with concern that 31 police officials were killed in 30 incidents. During the same period, 24 arrests were made. A total number of nine convictions were secured on the murder of police officials, eight of which share nine life term imprisonments and a combined period of more than 100 years imprisonment,” Lebeya indicated. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Faizel Patel at The Citizen Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Premier Lesufi calls for state help against zama zamas in Gauteng TimesLIVE reports that Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi wants President Cyril Ramaphosa to intervene and “bring the firepower of the state” to the problem of illegal miners in the province. Speaking at the ANC election manifesto review on Sunday at Dobsonville Stadium in Johannesburg, he urged Ramaphosa to ensure a stronger security cluster response to the illegal mining debacle in the province. “We are under siege from amazama zamas [illegal miners] in our province; we are under siege from criminals in our province. Please comrade president, bring the firepower of the state, whether it is the army or police, they must go down there and flush them out until the last person is standing,” Lesufi said. Chair of the Gauteng legislature’s portfolio committee on community safety, Thebe Khumalo, said law enforcement agencies in the province seemed to be powerless and defeated in their fight against illegal mining as fatalities continued to increase. “The people of Gauteng can no longer afford to live in fear of zama zamas. The safety of citizens should be a priority and we cannot allow lawlessness to continue unabated,” Khumalo staed. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sinesipho Schrieber at BusinessLive Other general posting(s) relating to mining
SCA dismisses ANC bid to keep cadre deployment records sealed IOL reports that the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) has dismissed, with costs, the bid by the African National Congress (ANC) to appeal an earlier high court ruling compelling it to release the party’s cadre deployment records. The application for leave to appeal directly to the SCA was filed in June, on the day that the ANC had to hand over its cadre deployment records after the South Gauteng High Court refused the organisation leave to appeal its ruling. At that time, the Johannesburg High Court declared the ANC’s refusal to release its cadre deployment committee’s minutes, WhatsApp conversations, emails, CVs, and other records “unlawful and invalid”. The Democratic Alliance (DA) submitted to the court that the records of the ANC’s cadre deployment committee were required because its policies and practices influenced who was appointed to key state institutions. The party’s Shadow Minister of Public Service and Administration, Leon Schreiber, brought the application after his PAIA (Promotion of Access to Information Act) application for the records in 2021 was refused. In his application, Schreiber argued that the policy played a role in corruption and state capture. However, ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula unsuccessfully argued that Schreiber and the DA were not members of the ANC and were, therefore, not entitled to information generated from internal ANC committees. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Kailene Pillay at IOL
‘Mass deportation’ of illegal immigrants opposed by Helen Suzman Foundation The Star reports that the Helen Suzman Foundation (HSF) has launched an urgent high court application against Home Affairs Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi and his department to stop the “mass deportation” of illegal immigrants from the country. The move follows the stance announced last month by Motsoaledi that officials would be conducting extensive law-enforcement operations to deport individuals living in the country without proper documentation. In a message on the department’s official social media account early last month, Motsoaledi asserted his firm position on illegal immigrants as he tweeted: “We don’t make noise when we conduct law enforcement operations. We move in and deport people. We’ll be going to many other communities and deporting those who are here illegally.” The announcement came less than three months after a full Bench of the Gauteng High Court ruled on 28 June that Motsoaledi’s decision to terminate the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP) was invalid, unlawful and unconstitutional. Yet, the HSF’s recent court challenge has been criticised by some members of the public, especially following the fire at a hijacked building in Joburg that saw 77 people die and the negative impact of illegal zama zama operations. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Goitsemang Matlhabe at The Star
TVET college in KZN to be renamed after late Zulu King The Witness reports that a KZN-based technical and vocational education and training (TVET) college is to be renamed in honour of the late Amazulu King Goodwill Zwelithini. Minister of Higher Education Blade Nzimande made this announcement on Friday, at the launch and official opening of the state-of-the-art fourth industrial revolution (4IR) and largest smart skills centre in the country, which is based at Mthashana TVET College skills centre in Babanango, in the Zululand District. A statement issued by the Department of Higher Education said the renaming of the Mthashana TVET College – which has six campuses, a training centre and a skills centre across the Zululand District – was the minister’s biggest tribute to the king. The centre will provide tech learning programmes, such as virtual and augmented reality, robotics, and internet access, among others. Nzimande indicated that the centre was chosen because of its remoteness. “The Babanango area was specifically identified for the establishment of the smart skills centre because it is deep in the rural area of KwaZulu-Natal, and lacks Internet connectivity,” he explained. The centre will provide internet access as well as a host of other technology to those in the rural areas. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at The Witness
Methodist church, David Tlale and Pick n Pay amongst employers owing almost R7bn in unpaid pension contributions SowetanLive reports that security firms, retailers, municipalities, a church and a renowned fashion designer are among thousands of employers exposed for not paying over pension fund contributions for their workers. The Financial Sector Conduct Authority recently released the names of more than 3,000 employers who had ailed to make pension contributions for periods of between four months and 21 years. Collectively they owe about R7bn to retirement funds. The arrears owed by employers have an impact on how much pension the workers receive when they retire or change jobs. The City of Ekurhuleni and Vhembe municipality in Limpopo are listed to have not paid pension contributions for its councillors in eight years. Chubb Guarding is listed as not having paid for 21 years, while the Central Methodist church is four months in arrears. Fashion designer David Tlale has not paid in 18 months, while branches of retail giants Spar and Pick n Pay are listed as not having paid for eight months to four years. Tlale explained that his business was still recovering from Covid-19 lockdown and he had been avoiding retrenching his 28 staff members. He said he was currently making payment plans with the pension fund office. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lindile Sifile & Mpho Sibanyoni at SowetanLive
UIF moves with the times by launching mobile app and free SMS services IOL reports that on Monday the Commissioner for the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), Teboho Maruping, launched services to address the long queues at its offices across the country. At a briefing in Cape Town, Maruping launched a zero-rated mobile application as well as a free Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD), better known as an SMS platform, to enable clients to access UIF services at any time, from anywhere, at no cost. He urged clients to begin the shift from the traditional way of transacting with the UIF and said the launch of the SMS services and mobile application would promote greater self-service for clients, reduce long queues in the labour centres, and alleviate pressure on officials. According to Maruping, the platforms will put more money in the pockets of clients because they will save on transport costs currently used to visit labour offices. Clients will also be able to check their UIF registration status, which will improve non-compliance with the Unemployment Insurance Act by employers who fail to register, declare, and pay contributions for their workers. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Robin-Lee Francke at IOL
Brian Molefe in court to support former Eskom colleague Matshela Koko in R2.2bn corruption case News24 reports that former Eskom boss Brian Molefe was all smiles on Monday morning when he saw his ex-colleague, Matshela Koko, entering a Mpumalanga court. Koko was among the 18 accused, including companies, who appeared briefly in the Middelburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court. They are allegedly linked to a R2.2 billion Kusile power station corruption matter. Molefe sat in the gallery behind the accused. Koko, his wife Mosima, and another co-accused Frans Sithole, all smiled at Molefe. Koko, Mosima, her daughter Koketso Choma, and others are facing a string of charges. Speaking to News24, Molefe said: "I'm here as a law student to witness the injustice perpetuated in a matter that has been investigated in 2017 and is not ready for trial after seven years of investigation." The prosecutor, advocate Tiny Seboko, pleaded with the magistrate for the State to be given a further postponement to complete the docket. The State is awaiting affidavits from six key witnesses, all of whom are overseas. Molefe, a former Transnet group chief executive, has legal issues of his own. He is among the accused currently in the Palm Ridge Specialised Crimes Court in a R398.4 million Transnet corruption case. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ntwaagae Seleka at News24
Pietermaritzburg 'sex pest' school principal suspended TimesLIVE Premium reports that the principal of Merchiston Preparatory School in Pietermaritzburg was placed on “precautionary suspension” on Monday after allegations from staff, parents and pupils that he was a “sex pest” and “bullied” vulnerable children. School governing body (SGB) chair Warren Smith told parents in a letter that this was in anticipation of disciplinary steps against Llewellyn Bragin which would be instituted after interviews with complainants last week. The SGB has been pushing the KwaZulu-Natal education department to suspend Bragin after the complaints arose a few months ago. It has also made high court applications which, as yet, are unresolved. Bragin faces about 21 formal complaints. But according to Smith, education department officials suspended Bragin’s deputy Eric White instead and refused to give reasons for this. Smith said the school had become “steeped in scandal”. Bragin, who in his affidavits in the court documents denied the allegations against him, recently secured a Durban Labour Court order directing the governing body to continue paying the portion of his salary it paid to him on top of his salary from the department. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tania Broughton at TimesLIVE Premium (subscriber access only) Parents form guard of honour for staff at KZN school where principal is accused of being a sex pest and bully TimesLIVE reports that more than 80 parents and former educators wore black and held a “guard of honour and support” on Monday for Pietermaritzburg school teachers whose principal allegedly sexually harassed women staff members and bullied pupils. The School Governing Body (SGB) of 121-year-old Merchiston Preparatory School has gone to court to try to get the KwaZulu-Natal education department to suspend principal Llewellyn Bragin pending an investigation into his conduct. Bragin also faces allegations of improperly hiring his wife, being drunk on school tours and telling 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 group met at the drop-off zone and lined the walkway from the staff car park to the school on Monday to show recognition to teachers for their bravery and for continuing to teach despite the conditions. The emotional display of support was coupled with prayers. One parent, who is a complainant about bullying on behalf of her son, said he had been badly impacted and his emotions were no longer the same. Another parent said the gathering was not an attack directed at anyone but was the group wanting to “salvage one of the most incredible” schools in the province. Sharona Singh of the National Professional Teachers Organisation of SA (Naptosa), who was part of the gathering, indicated that the union leadership was working with aggrieved members. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sakhiseni Nxumalo at SowetanLive
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