In our Wednesday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South African
labour-related reports.
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MPs fight against delay until 2025 in implementation of two-pot retirement system Fin24 reports that Parliament's Standing Committee on Finance has pushed back against a recommendation from National Treasury that the implementation of the so-called two-pot retirement system be delayed until 2025, calling instead for it to be rolled out in March 2024. The two-pot system would allow people to access a third of their pension savings before retirement. On Tuesday, MPs appealed to Finance Minister Enoch Gondongwana, asking for the earlier date to be implemented. DA MP Dennis Ryder called Treasury's decision to delay implementation incredibly disappointing and added: “I think Treasury is bending the knee to the insurance companies. I don’t believe it is a massive, difficult thing to implement." The proposal to delay the two-pot system's implementation was initially made by Treasury to the Standing Committee last month. "Unfortunately the changes that are required to put the system in are substantial, and it will need a lot of time, not only for the industry, but also for SARS," Treasury's Chris Axelson had claimed. Meanwhile, Cosatu spokesperson Matthew Parks welcomed the committee's proposal to implement the new system next year. But Richard Carter of Allan Gray expressed concern over the implications for the industry and investors, saying there would be significant risks to rushing the legislation, and noting that March 2024 would give less than four months for implementation. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Na'Ilah Ebrahim at Fin24. Read too, Finance MPs defy Treasury’s advice on two-pot retirement system, at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
Seven Cape Town cops killed in just three months News24 reports that seven Cape Town police officers were murdered in the space of just three months, according to the latest quarterly crime statistics. These grim statistics were announced only hours after yet another Cape Town officer was gunned down. On Sunday, a 54-year-old police officer was shot in the Site 5 informal settlement in Table View. The identity of the victim has yet to be released. The officer's firearm was stolen. Releasing the province's quarterly crime statistics on Monday, Western Cape police commissioner Lieutenant-General Thembisile Patekile revealed that between July and September, seven officers had been killed. The officers were all off-duty at the time and were killed in Khayelitsha, Kleinvlei, Nyanga, Philippi East, Samora Machel, Gugulethu, and Mfuleni. That brought the total number of police officers killed in the first nine months of the year to 11. The province's statistics mirror a national problem. Popcru spokesperson Pat Raolane said police murders were demoralising for officers, especially when it was their colleagues and partners who were being killed. "You don't know what will happen to you. It makes you afraid to go to work," he said. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nicole McCain at News24. Read too, Crime stats show sharp spike in police murders with 35 cops murdered, at IOL News Study shows that nearly all South African employees experience stress at work Sunday Tribune reports that a staggering 85% of South African employees struggle with stress in their jobs, a recent study has found. The survey, conducted by YuLife in collaboration with Ipsos, also revealed that only 39% of respondents found their workplace well-being programmes to be “fairly effective”, while 32% considered them ‘ineffective.’ These startling findings form part of a groundbreaking e-book titled “How to Build a Winning South African Workforce,” which was released last Wednesday. The e-book takes an in-depth look at employee well-being management within organisations and explores how employers can create engaging and impactful well-being solutions. YuLife SA’s Jaco Oosthuizen, believes that the survey shows the urgent need for improved employee mental health in the country. “Unfortunately, South African employees have some of the worst mental health in the world and are desperately looking for ways to improve that,” he commented. Meanwhile, the 2018 Global Competitiveness Index report discovered that out of 137 countries, SA ranked bottom for co-operation in labour-employer relations. The nation was also 132nd position for flexibility of wage determination, and 125th position for hiring and firing practices. These rankings paint a concerning picture of the country’s quest for labour peace and stability. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Vuyile Madwantsi at Sunday Tribune Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Union, staff not shocked by arrest of Fort Hare director of investigations and vetting in connection with murders News24 reports that the SAPS national task team that is probing killings at the University of Fort Hare (UFH) had "another breakthrough" when they arrested the institution's head of investigations and vetting services, Isaac Plaatjies. He appeared in the Alice Magistrate's Court on Monday on charges of murder and attempted murder. He joins nine others accused of killing UFH fleet manager Petrus Roets and vice-chancellor, Sakhela Buhlungu's bodyguard, Mboneli Vesele, as well as the attempted murder of Buhlungu and others who allegedly worked to end corruption at the campus. While Plaatjies' alleged role has not yet been revealed, his position at the university is said to be a source of mystery and contention among some staffers. Even the UFH's website contains no information about his office. The National Tertiary Education Union's (NTEU) Jaco Nel said he was not surprised by Plaatjies' arrest. He noted that UFH employees had expressed concerns that Plaatjies was "authoritarian and militarised operations". Nel said the NTEU welcomed the arrest and hoped it would bring stability to the university. A staff member, speaking on condition of anonymity due to safety concerns, said the arrest came as no surprise. The staffer commented: “I doubt that the VC is even surprised. Those who understand the operations of Mr Plaatjies will realise that all sorts of ugly things at the university started with his arrival at UFH.” He said Plaatjies joined the institution as a change consultant around 2018 or 2019 on a short-term temporary contract, before securing his current position in 2020. According to the source, Plaatjies was not vetted when he entered the role and there was no clarity around his qualifications. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Cebelihle Bhengu at News24. Read too, Fort Hare investigations director to spend three weeks in jail before bail application, at News24. And also, Fort Hare murder case postponed to December, at The Citizen
Discontent about Sadtu members working as IEC officials is overkill, electoral chief tells MPs TimesLIVE reports that the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has dismissed allegations that it has been infiltrated by members of the ANC-aligned SA Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu). Claims that Sadtu members often worked as temporary IEC staff during elections were made by several parties during the weekend's first voter registration campaign. They said they were opposed to that because of the union's affiliation with the ruling party. Reporting to the National Assembly's portfolio committee on home affairs regarding preparations for the 2024 national and provincial elections, the IEC said the situation was not as dire as it was made out to be. IEC chair Mosotho Moepya said: “As you know, we now know who belongs to which establishment, but that is notwithstanding the fact that in terms of the constitution, people have a right to freedom of association. What was important is, when we developed the criteria, [these things were already discussed and it was] declared that anyone who holds party-political office – for example, a person we employ is serving in the executive of an institution that has party-political aims – that person cannot be employed and the parties object to that.” Moepya added: “Names of persons we employ ... are made available to party liaison committees. This past registration weekend ... was no exception. Names of staff were given to party liaison committees ... We received 12 objections and they were dealt with very swiftly.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sisanda Mbolekwa at TimesLIVE Government mulling ruling that would allow junior municipal workers to be politicians The Star reports that the government has yet to decide whether or not to challenge the Labour Court’s judgment declaring the law rendering ordinary municipal workers ineligible to hold office in political parties unconstitutional and invalid. Labour Court Judge Andre van Niekerk on Friday ruled in favour of the SA Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu), which had challenged the Municipal Systems Amendment Act of 2022 signed into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa in August last year. In terms of the act, now amended by Judge van Niekerk, a staff member was not allowed to hold political office in a political party, whether in a permanent, temporary or acting capacity. Van Niekerk found that the act’s prohibition extended to all municipal employees, whatever their status. Samwu argued that the prohibition on municipal employees outside of the echelon of senior management holding office in a political party was unconstitutional and invalid. The judge agreed with the union and declared that the inclusion of the phrase “staff member” in the act was unconstitutional and invalid. He ordered that the section provide that the limitation on the holding of office in political parties should only apply to municipal managers and managers directly accountable to them. Van Niekerk’s orders will operate retrospectively from 1 November last year and have been referred to the Constitutional Court for confirmation. The Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Department said it was still studying the judgment and that it would advise on its course of action as soon as possible. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Loyiso Sidimba at The Star. Read too, IFP concerned about court ruling on municipal workers, at The Witness
Krutham launches R300m results-driven fund to tackle youth unemployment Engineering News reports that research-led consultancy Krutham has launched a R300-million Jobs Boost Outcomes Fund to help address youth unemployment in SA. The programme provides an opportunity for skills development providers to deliver sustainable employment solutions for the nation's youth. Unlike traditional approaches to job creation, which tend to focus on inputs and activities like training, workshops and events, the Jobs Boost Outcomes Fund uses an outcomes-based pay-for-performance model that ensures funds are allocated upon the successful placement and sustained employment of young people in quality jobs. The programme was initiated and is managed by Krutham and funded by the Department of Higher Education and Training’s National Skills Fund (NSF) as part of the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention. Krutham’s Riyaadh Ebrahim says Jobs Boost opens a new frontier for training companies in a partnership that goes beyond funding. "Jobs Boost challenges skills development organisations to think beyond traditional methods. We're looking for partners who can demonstrate real results in placing young people in quality jobs, aligning training with the actual needs of the job market," Ebrahim explained. The first phase is a pilot and the NSF is the sole outcomes funder. The funding will be released to successful applicants as outcomes are achieved, based on specific milestones verified by an outcomes auditor, including enrolment in the programme (20% of funding flows), job placement (40% of funding flows), and sustained employment over three months (20% of funding flows) and then six months (20% of funding flows). Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Engineering News. Read too, Jobs Boost outcomes fund launched: R300m allocated to youth training that results in jobs, at Business Report Creecy’s plan to clear invasive plants to create over 13,500 job opportunities over five-years Pretoria Rekord reports on the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment’s five-year programme worth R2.67-billion to implement the Working for Water programme to eradicate invasive alien plants from communities. Last Friday, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Barbara Creecy launched this programme to the value of R152-million to implement projects across five Gauteng municipalities. These include Tshwane, Joburg, West Rand, Sedibeng, and Ekurhuleni. In Gauteng, the programme will clear 74,781 hectares over a five-year period from 2023/2024 during which period, the department hopes to create 13,615 job opportunities through the expanded public works model. This model aims to provide poverty and income relief through temporary work for the unemployed. Creecy said biological invasions by alien plants were a major threat to biodiversity and ecosystem services, water resources and sustainable livelihoods. Invasive trees use 3-5% of SA’s runoff water every year, which is a significant loss for a water-scarce country. “Thus, by clearing waterways and managing the spread of invasive species we are restoring natural habitats and simultaneously restoring ecosystem services that will assist us in the fight against the effects of climate change,” Creecy pointed out. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at The Citizen
Tshwane launches new digitised system to recruit EPWP workers Pretoria News reports that the newly-launched City of Tshwane’s Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) digitised job recruitment system is user-friendly, accessible and will streamline the registration process. This was said on Monday by MMC for Community Social Development Peggy de Bruin during the USSD platform launch. The municipality previously used an electronic lottery system for hiring job-seekers in a bid to eliminate patronage in the recruitment process. De Bruin said: “It has been recognised that EPWP registration through the lottery process has been a challenge, often causing delays and hindering the efficient implementation of the programme.” She indicated that the USSD platform was designed to be inclusive, ensuring that every individual between the ages of 18 and 60 years, regardless of their background or access to technology, could participate in this transformative programme. By dialling *120*5757# on a mobile phone, individuals will be able to register for the EPWP. “This will eliminate the need for lengthy paperwork, making the registration process more efficient and convenient for all. We believe that this USSD platform will not only streamline the registration process but also enhance transparency and accountability,” De Bruin said. She added that the platform would provide real-time updates and notifications, ensuring that job seekers were informed about new opportunities as they arose. The EPWP is a national initiative aimed at addressing unemployment and poverty by providing temporary job opportunities to those in need. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Rapula Moatshe at Pretoria News
Transport Minister defends cancellation of RAF post-retirement medical aid benefits Cape Times reports that according to Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga, the Road Accident Fund (RAF) carefully considered matters before cancelling post-retirement medical aid benefits for its employees. She pointed out that the benefit was a historical condition of service benefit provided to employees who were permanently employed with the RAF prior to May 1998. In terms of the benefit, the RAF subsidised 50% towards the medical aid contributions on and throughout the retirement of such employees until the death of the retired employee or voluntary termination by the employee. “The post-retirement medical aid benefit was discontinued due to not only the dire financial status of the fund, but also the long-term unsustainable financial liability that such a benefit would have on the RAF,” Chikunga explained. She pointed out that the total estimated liability on the scheme had grown from R2.3 million in April 1998 to an estimated R55.6 million as at March 2021, according to the actuarial valuation report. The report further projected a substantial increase in the liability to R62.4 million as at March 2022, and the figure would continue to escalate exponentially considering changes in mortality rates and high inflation. “The RAF management with due and careful consideration of the above factors and the current financial sustainability of the RAF resolved that it was not viable to continue with the benefit. The benefit was therefore discontinued with effect from 1 October 2021 for all eligible and active employees,” Chikunga said. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mayibongwe Maqhina at Cape Times
Former Eskom boss Koko off the hook in R2.2bn fraud case because of unreasonable delays TimesLIVE reports that the Middelburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Tuesday struck former Eskom boss Matshela Koko’s fraud, corruption and money-laundering case off the roll due to unreasonable delays. Magistrate Stanley Jacobs decided that charges in the R2.2bn Kusile case involving Koko may only proceed once National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) national director of public prosecutions (NDPP) Shamila Batohi has signed it off. “If the matter has to be reinstated, a written letter from the NDPP must be obtained,” Jacobs said, rejecting a request by the NPA’s Investigating Directorate for a further postponement. He said an inquiry into delays found there were undue delays in the matter. Koko and seven co-accused were arrested in October 2022. Charged alongside Koko are his wife, Mosima, and stepdaughters Koketso Aren and Thato Choma. The other accused include Hlupheka Sithole, Eskom’s former project director at Kusile and the most senior official on site. The case involves charges of corruption in a R2.2bn control and instrumentation tender won by Zabb, the local division of the Swedish-Swiss firm ABB. Koko, who was Eskom group CEO at the time, is alleged to have played a vital role in the awarding of contracts to Impulse International, ABB and other subcontractors. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Isaac Mahlangu at BusinessLive. Read too, Court strikes Koko Eskom graft case from the roll, finds there were unreasonable delays, at News24 Free State traffic official who solicited R200 gratification over eye test out on R2,000 bail IOL News reports that a Free State traffic official appeared on Tuesday in the Bethlehem Magistrate’s Court on a charge of corruption. Teboho Kabelo Tote, 57, is an administration clerk at the Department of Traffic in Bethlehem and brought forward a formal bail application. He was arrested on Monday during a sting operation. The provincial spokesperson for the Hawks (Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation), Lieutenant Colonel Zweli Mohobeleli reported that the complainant in the matter visited the traffic department on 21 November to renew his Professional Driving Permit (PDP). “He [the complainant] realised while already at the counter that he needed to source a new optometrist assessment report. Tote, who was behind the counter assisting him, offered to fix this problem at a fee and save the complainant the trouble of having to go back to the doctor,” Mohobeleli explained. The intended exchange was reported to the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team in Bethlehem and they embarked on a sting operation, which led to the suspect being caught in possession of an R200 gratification. The court granted Tote R2,000 bail and his case was postponed until 7 December. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Robin-Lee Francke at IOL News Other internet posting(s) in this news category
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