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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Proposed companies bill puts wage gap and approval for executive remuneration plan in spotlight Financial Mail reports that having moved at a snail’s pace for the past several years, the Companies Amendment Bill looks set to be rushed through now, with the plan for the bill to be enacted by May. The bill contains some potentially significant victories for labour, principally related to improved disclosure of remuneration of both executives and workers. This may be why, despite major victories for organised business, trade union federation Cosatu has welcomed the bill, describing it as progressive and long overdue. Unsurprisingly, Cosatu is particularly encouraged by the proposed amendments to section 30A dealing with remuneration disclosure. The proposal would require the disclosure of “the average remuneration of all employees, median remuneration of all employees and the remuneration gap reflecting the ratio between the total remuneration of the top 5% highest-paid employees and the total remuneration of the bottom 5% lowest-paid employees of the company”. Among other amendments, executive remuneration policy will require an ordinary AGM resolution, which means at least 50% of shareholders must support the policy. If they don’t, it must be presented again at the following year’s AGM for another vote. The new policy cannot be implemented until the 50%-plus vote is secured. If the vote on implementation of the remuneration policy fails to get at least 50% support, the relevant board members must explain the way they have addressed shareholders’ concerns at the following AGM. But the real sting is that if there’s not sufficient approval, the members of the remuneration committee must resign from the committee for three years, although they may remain on the board as directors. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ann Crotty at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
Unions exhort that police killings must be declared an act of treason News24 reports that the SA Policing Union (SAPU) and the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) in the Western Cape want President Cyril Ramaphosa to declare attacks on police officers an act of treason. This followed an attack in Gugulethu in Cape Town, on two off-duty constables, who were shot multiple times on Tuesday. Police said the motive for the attack was under investigation, and the officers were recovering in hospital. SAPU spokesperson Lesiba Thobakgale said the union was disturbed at the number of officers, working to protect communities, being killed on and off duty. He asked how many more police officers must be killed before it was considered treason. Popcru spokesperson Pat Raolane said there was not enough manpower or enough boots on the ground to tackle the ongoing crisis of attacks on police officers. Popcru said it was the police's mandate to prevent, combat and investigate crime, not to be killed on and off duty. Police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa said the management of police in the Western Cape had noted with concern a "disturbing pattern of increasing attacks" on SAPS members. She advised: "As part of operational readiness, commanders ensure all police officials under their command are continuously trained to be vigilant, alert and able to defend themselves when they come under attack or are in imminent danger.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lisalee Solomons and Marvin Charles at News24 Two West Rand security officers in court for allegedly assaulting police major general The Citizen reports that two security officers who allegedly attacked police officials, including a high-ranking general, are facing several charges, including attempted robbery, assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm, resisting arrest and crimen injuria. Peter Ramokane and Sibusiso Diokweni appeared at the Westonaria Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. They were released on R1,000 bail and the case was adjourned until 29 September 2023 for further investigations by police. The attack allegedly happened on Tuesday evening at a gated community in Westonaria. The incident was filmed by Diokweni and has since gone viral on social media. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane explained what happened: “The community of Simunye in the West Rand, erected a boom gate and appointed security guards to do access control. A Major General of the Saps was visiting a friend when the security stopped him and wanted to search him. He refused and the security officer insulted him. When the general phoned his colleague, a constable within Saps to come and assist. Ramokane allegedly assaulted the general. There was a long wrestling on the video, wherein Ramokane allegedly attempted to rob the constable of his service pistol, broke his wrist watch and allegedly assaulted both the general and the constable.” Mjonondwana wemt on: “In the video, the second accused (Diokweni) can be heard swearing and insulting both police officers in full view of members of the public, while they are dressed in police uniform. More back-up was called and the accused were arrested.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Faizel Patel at The Citizen. Lees ook, Veiligheidsbeamptes in hof vir aanranding van polisie, by Maroela Media Four vehicles on fire at Randburg Magistrate's Court TimesLIVE reports that four cars caught fire at a parking lot inside the Randburg Magistrate’s Court premises on Thursday morning. There were no injuries. The City of Johannesburg emergency management services said it responded to an incident at 9am and the Randburg firefighters extinguished the fire in the four vehicles. The cause of the fire remains unknown. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at TimesLIVE
Nedlac annual summit on Friday to tackle inadequate economic growth and unemployment BL Premium reports that government leaders, bureaucrats, planners, economists and civic and union leaders are set to meet for the National Economic Development and Labour Council’s (Nedlac’s) annual national summit on Friday, more than a year after partners failed to hammer out a social compact to address runaway unemployment and slow economic growth dogging SA. During his state of the nation address in February 2022, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the government and its social partners would, within 100 days, hammer out a comprehensive social compact to deal with poor economic growth and unemployment. In March, a chastened Ramaphosa sought to explain why the social compact had not been realised: “We had wanted to have a comprehensive social compact and we had put together a timeline and we were not able to reach that timeline, but what we have seen over time is that we have been able to reach a number of compacts.” The social partners have constantly berated the government, saying it lacked seriousness to see to the cohesion required for strong economic growth. Deputy President Paul Mashatile is expected to deliver the keynote address at Nedlac’s annual national summit. Employment and labour minister Thulas Nxesi, and Cosatu president Zingiswa Losi are also expected to address the gathering at Gallagher Estate in Midrand. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
Three more accused added in the alleged illegal mining kingpins case TimesLIVE reports that the six alleged illegal mining kingpins from Khutsong and Carletonville were joined by three other accused when they appeared in the Carletonville Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. The six were first arrested in October last year. Five of them abandoned bail bids, but Dumisani Moyo, who was initially denied bail, was later granted bail after appealing to the high court. Five of the six have been in custody ever since, until this week when they were joined by the three others who were arrested and appeared in court with them. The initial six are facing counts of dealing in precious metals, fraud and money laundering. On Thursday, they were joined in the dock by Lerato Bathebeng, Poppy Mathongwane and Suzan Duba, who were arrested earlier in the day. The three each face a charge of money laundering and were granted bail of R2,000 each. The case for all nine accused was postponed to 30 November for the defence to be furnished with an indictment and a high court date. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ernest Mabuza at TimesLIVE Other general posting(s) relating to mining
Gordhan ordered to decide on Mango sale within 30 days BL Premium reports that Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) Minister Pravin Gordhan has been ordered by the Pretoria High Court to take a decision on an application by Mango’s business rescue practitioner for the sale of the airline within 30 days. If he fails to do so, the business rescue practitioner can legitimately assume in terms of the law the sale has been approved. Acting judge Moses Phooko found that Gordhan’s failure – lasting several months – to make a decision in terms of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) was “unlawful and constitutionally invalid”. The status of the business rescue practitioner’s application “cannot eternally remain in limbo. “I do not see how a delay in taking a decision could be considered as rational,” the judge said. The application was brought in February by Mango’s business practice practitioner, Sipho Sono, supported by the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa). Low-cost airline and SAA subsidiary Mango went into business rescue in July 2021 and an unnamed consortium has been selected to purchase it, but Gordhan’s delay in reaching a decision on the sale threatens to subvert it. If the transaction fails, Mango will have to be wound down in terms of its business rescue plan. Numsa submitted that all efforts should be explored to save Mango as its retrenched members would be re-employed if Mango resumed operations. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Linda Ensor at BusinessLive
DA caucus defends salary increase for Joburg councillors, saying it’s ‘below inflation’ The Citizen reports that the Democratic Alliance’s (DA’s) Johannesburg caucus has defended its decision to vote with the ANC in support of a pay hike for councillors. This week, the ANC, DA and Patriotic Alliance agreed on a salary increase, while the EFF and ActionSA voted against it. The DA’s Johannesburg caucus leader Belinda Echeozonjoku said the party voted in favour of the upper limit report on salary increases with the ANC after considering a few things, such as councillors’ wellbeing and councillor training and development. “Councillors are also residents who have to pay their rates and taxes. The increase is lower than inflation, yet councillors get no Unemployment Insurance Fund in a highly unsecured job,” argued Echeozonjoku. The salary increase comes months after the council approved a R80.9 billion 2023/24 budget. It also comes amid tariff hikes of 2% for property, 9.3% for each of water and sanitation, an electricity tariff of 14.97%, and a refuse tariff increase of 7%. The upper limits of the annual total remuneration packages of full-time councillors means Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda’s salary will increase from R1,446,388 to R1,501,351. The Speaker will earn R1,212,520 (previously R1,168,131), a member of the executive committee, mayoral committee or whip will get R1,142,175 (previously R1,100,361) and the chairperson of the oversight committee will now get R1,108,670 (previously R1,068,083). Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Unathi Nkanjeni at The Citizen
Another Emfuleni senior employee getting paid while sitting at home SowetanLive reports that until recently, the embattled Emfuleni local municipality had no idea it was paying a senior accountant a monthly salary while he was sitting at home. The employee has pocketed more than R3m since 2019. Following questions in the legislature about the employee, who draws a salary of R65,351 a month (inclusive of a R15,000 car allowance and R600 cellphone allowance), the municipality now says it will verify its payroll. MEC for cooperative governance and traditional affairs Mzi Khumalo said the Emfuleni municipal manager, April Ntuli, only learnt that the employee was AWOL after questions were posed in the legislature in August. Khumalo indicated: “He [Ntuli] has since ordered for a detailed report from the revenue department. The finding in this regard will lead to measures to redress such misconduct. The accounting officer has also called for an audit institution-wide of all employees who are not coming to work and has also called for human resources department to do an audit of all municipal staff to stop ghost workers if they do exist." In July, it was reported that the municipality was paying R597,012 a month to a senior engineering technician who had not reported for duty for years following a dispute with his superior. The DA’s Kingsol Chabalala commented: “It has now become a norm that Emfuleni pays employees for sitting at home doing nothing, which amounts to a theft of funds from this financially distressed municipality.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Noxolo Sibiya at SowetanLive
Government has spent over R26 billion on NHI in last decade IOL reports that Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla has confirmed that the government has spent more than R26 billion on the National Health Insurance (NHI) in the last 10 years. The government started the NHI scheme with pilot sites in 10 districts across the country. Phaahla told members of Parliament during question time that it was difficult to project how much would be needed for NHI in the next few years, but he confirmed that the money used in the past 10 years amounted to R26 billion, R10bn of which was an allocation from National Treasury to deal with Covid-19. "The total NHI direct and indirect expenditure in the 10 years from the 2013/14 financial year when it started amounts to R26 billion. As I will explain later on, R10 billion of this was allocated during Covid because there was no other mechanism the R10 billion (could be allocated) to hire more staff to deal with Covid and this was also channelled through the direct grant. Otherwise, a new grant would have needed to be developed,” Phaahla advised. He went on to indicate: "The honourable member wants to know what the amount to be used in the next 10 years is. It is not possible to completely be able to predict because there are many variables when you look at the 10-year projection, which includes, once the fund is established, the initial benefit basket of services and the prices that will be agreed with the service providers." Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Siyabonga Mkhwanazi at IOL
Sanral confirms CFO's temporary leave of absence Engineering News reports that the South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) has confirmed that CFO Inge Mulder is on a temporary leave of absence, until further notice, pending internal processes that are currently under way. Sanral deputy CFO Dumisani Maluleke is serving as acting CFO in Mulder's absence. Read the original of the short report in the above regard at Engineering News
Springbok station commander in hot water for allegedly stealing almost R300,000 from police station safe IOL reports that an acting SA Police Services (SAPS) station commander has found herself of the wrong side of the law. Lieutenant Colonel Nomvula Jacobs, who was serving as the acting station commander of Springbok SAPS, was arrested on Tuesday by the Northern Cape Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) on allegations of theft. The 49-year-old is accused of stealing an amount of R291,700 from the station safe where exhibits are kept. Lieutenant Colonel Tebogo Thebe said the investigation team made the discovery after several attempts were made to access the safe, but the key was missing. “The safe was finally opened on August 30, 2023, resulting in the case of theft being opened against the acting station commander,” Thebe indicated. Jacobs appeared in the Springbok Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday. Bail was set at R4,000 and the matter was postponed to 2 October. The provincial Hawks head, Major General Stephen Mabuela, couldn’t hide his disappointment on hearing the news and said: “Employee Health and Wellness should be the first port of call when our employees go through any kind of distress, it is sad.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jolene Marriah-Maharaj at IOL. Lees ook, Springbok-polisiehoë in hof oor ‘diefstal’, by Maroela Media Mashatile reiterates he was not on the scene at time of N1 assault incident EWN reports that Deputy President Paul Mashatile has reiterated that he was not on the scene when members of his VIP protection team assaulted civilians on the N1 highway in Johannesburg in July. Answering questions in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Thursday, Mashatile said he first heard about the incident once he was already at home. The deputy president confirmed the version of events given to Parliament by police minister Bheki Cele last month about his seven-car convoy on the day in question. Mashatile said he was not in either of the two vehicles that stopped to accost the passengers of a civilian vehicle. "The cars that carry the president and the deputy president don’t stop for anything. I’m sure members know that. We don’t even stop for a red robot. So, it would have been very strange if my car had stopped there and I’m busy watching what is happening," Mashatile indicated. But he batted away any further questions on the matter, saying it was now before the court. Mashatile said he was prepared to answer all related questions once the court case had been concluded. The eight police officers involved in the incident are out on bail and will return to court later this month. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lindsay Dentlinger at EWN
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