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 December 2023.
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More than a thousand jobs saved through consultation process at Sibanye’s Kloof 4 shaft BusinessLive reports that Sibanye-Stillwater indicated on Friday it had concluded the retrenchment consultation process at its Kloof 4 gold shaft in Gauteng. Fewer jobs than initially planned were cut following consultations with organised labour. The gold and platinum miner said 1,057 workers had accepted transfers to fill vacant positions at its SA gold operation while 550 at Kloof 4 were granted voluntary severance packages (VSPs) and 348 across its SA gold operations took early retirement packages. Sibanye CEO Neal Froneman said regrettably 575 employees could not be accommodated in the agreed avoidance measures and would be retrenched. The company indicated in September that a restructuring of the Kloof 4 shaft could possibly affect 2,389 employees and 581 contract employees, meaning more than a thousand jobs have been saved through the consultation process. Organised labour will hope for a similar outcome at Sibanye’s platinum operations. At least 4,000 of Sibanye’s total workforce of 46,432 employees in its local PGM operations could be without jobs at the end of the restructuring exercise, which will affect four of its shafts in Rustenburg in the North West. Negotiations at the producer’s PGM business are ongoing. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Kabelo Khumalo at BusinessLive (subscriber access only) Teba Fund Trust still waiting for R80m proceeds from sale of Ubank to African Bank Business Times reports that Teba Fund Trust (Teba), which administered Ubank until it was placed under curatorship, says it has not received the proceeds of an R80m sale of the bank to African Bank. It wants the governor of the Reserve Bank and the finance minister to intervene. In a letter addressed to the Bank's governor, Lesetja Kganyago, and finance minister, Enoch Godongwana, dated September 22 2023, Teba chair and former National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) president Joseph Montisetse advised that the board of Ubank and Teba trustees remained in the dark and did not know why the matter could not be concluded. The Bank placed Ubank under curatorship in May last year to protect depositors' money. At the time it was placed under curatorship, the bank, which provides basic financial services to miners and their families, had 4.7-million accounts. It was administered by Teba, the NUM and the Minerals Council SA. Zola Beseti, a director at KPMG, was appointed curator. Montisetse said he had tried to engage with the curator on how the sale was proceeding and the process of transferring the assets of UBank. He claimed it was unethical that the costs of the curatorship were being borne by Ubank a year after its reported sale to African Bank. Montisetse was adamant the governor had to intervene, but said their letters had not yet been acknowledged. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Dineo Faku at Business Times (subscriber access only) Joint operation in Ekurhuleni leads to more than 100 arrests of suspected illegal miners News24 reports that a joint operation between the SA Police Service (SAPS), SA National Defence Force (SANDF) and the Department of Home Affairs led to the arrest of more than 100 suspected illegal miners (known as zama zamas) in Primrose, Ekurhuleni, on Friday. Gauteng police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo, said authorities descended on the Marathon informal settlement after a public outcry about illegal mining and random shootings in the area. Tools of the illegal mining trade were seized. "During the operation, which [ran from] the morning until late in the afternoon on Friday, the team arrested more than 100 undocumented foreign nationals who are suspected to be involved in illegal mining in the area. A number of places where they illegally process gold-bearing material were raided and dismantled. A significant quantity of tools of the trade that include gas cylinders, phendukas (makeshift, hand-cranked tumblers), explosives and generators were seized," said Masondo. Provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Elias Mawela, applauded the integrated forces for working together and called for communities to continue reporting any illegal activities, including illegal mining. Police said the joint operation would continue across the province to deal with the scourge of illegal mining. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lisalee Solomons at News24 Thirteen ‘illegal immigrants' nabbed at disused gold mine in Klerksdorp in North West TimesLIVE reports that thirteen suspected illegal immigrants are expected to appear in the Klerksdorp Magistrate's court on Monday after their arrest at a disused mine. They were arrested on Friday at the Wolwerand Gold mine in Klerksdorp in a multidisciplinary disruptive operation that included the Hawks' serious organised crime unit, SA National Defence Force (SANDF) members, the Klerksdorp illicit mining task team, the national intervention unit, the North West explosives unit, K9 and motorcycle units. The suspects are aged between 15 and 46 and were allegedly undocumented. Law enforcement officers also seized 15 pendukas, eight generators, a water tank, water pipes and other mining paraphernalia. Gold-bearing material worth about R200,000 was recovered while four informal gold processing plants were destroyed. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at TimesLIVE. Lees ook, 13 onwettige immigrante in Klerksdorp vas, by Maroela Media Other labour / community posting(s) relating to mining
Other general posting(s) relating to mining
ArcelorMittal retrenchments a reminder of the crisis SA faces, says EFF Sunday Independent reports that according to the EFF, ArcelorMittal SA’s (Amsa’s) announcement that it would be shutting its long steel products business and cut as many as 3,500 jobs is a stark reminder of the severity of the crisis South Africa is facing. In a statement, the political party said it had consistently warned that load-shedding would lead to job losses, economic instability and a decline in the quality of life in SA. It was responding to Amsa indicating that high transport and logistics costs, and the ongoing electricity crisis, had placed it in a difficult position. The steel manufacturer’s announcement followed one from motor manufacturer Volkswagen SA, which also warned that the escalating costs of doing business in SA due to load-shedding, deteriorating rail infrastructure, and inefficiency at the country’s ports was becoming unsustainable. The EFF further commented that about 60% of small businesses in townships have reportedly had to lay-off workers, and a further 7% have had to completely close down. “This is a disaster for our economy and for the livelihoods of millions of South Africans,” it lamented. Reacting to Amsa’s announcement, the SA Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) said the steel manufacturer’s persistent problems were created by the contradictions inherent in capitalist overproduction. The federation said that the privatisation of Iscor had just been a way “to give the private sector – first local, then a foreign imperial cartel – more space for profiteering.” Saftu called for the re-nationalisation of ArcelorMittal SA. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Manyane Manyane at Sunday Independent
Football Players’ Union devises new dispute resolution structure to save local clubs from further embarrassment over contract disputes City Press reports that in the wake of an alarming increase in Fifa sanctions of PSL clubs over breaches of players’ contracts, the SA Football Players’ Union (Safpu) is proposing a new dispute resolution chamber (DRC) structure. According to Safpu vice-president Tebogo Monyai, an agreement with Safa and the PSL, with the buy-in of world football governing body Fifa, is in place for the establishment of the new body. The PSL already has a DRC mechanism in place. However, the chamber is restricted to dealing only with matters affecting local players. All the Fifa sanctions on PSL clubs so far have been because of contractual disputes with foreign players. Polokwane City is the latest DStv Premiership club to be banned by Fifa from registering new players until it settles a contractual dispute with Malawian international Khuda Muyaba. Monyai said it had been found that Polokwane City was paying Muyaba less than the amount stipulated in his contract. He explained that the new body would represent both local and foreign players in the PSL, adding that it would be in the best interests of the local clubs and would prevent the embarrassment they have endured over the years. “Unless something’s done, Fifa will continue dishing out these humiliating sanctions on PSL clubs because most of them are found wanting when it comes to their administrative execution and capacity. Of course, players – local and foreign – can still approach Fifa if they aren’t happy with the sanctions meted out by the new body we’re advocating,” Monyai pointed out. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tiisetso Malepa at City Press (subscriber access only)
Large cut in diesel price confirmed, petrol will also be cheaper next week Fin24 reports that the petrol price will be cut by 65c on Wednesday, while diesel prices will be lowered by between R2.35 and R2.41 a litre. The wholesale price of illuminating paraffin will fall by R1.71 a litre. The latest changes will bring the Gauteng 95 petrol price down to R23.25 a litre, while the coastal price will be lowered to R22.53, namely the lowest prices since August. Diesel will cost R21.82 a litre in Gauteng from Wednesday, and R21.09 on the coast, also the cheapest since August. South African fuel prices are largely determined by international oil costs and the rand exchange rate, as oil is priced in dollars. The average price of Brent crude oil over the past month was $82.62 a barrel, from $88.72 the previous month. The average rand/dollar rate over the past month strengthened to R18.55, from R19.16 in the previous month. In November, the price of petrol was lowered by R1.78 a litre, while diesel was cut by more than 80c. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Fin24. See too, Motorists to get some relief at the pumps, at BusinessLive. En ook, Kersfees kom vroeg vir motorist, by Maroela Media
Two-year extension for Zimbabwe and Lesotho permit holders GroundUp reports that Minister of Home Affairs Aaron Motsoaledi announced on Friday that new permits would be issued for holders of the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) and the Lesotho Exemption Permit (LEP), which will be valid for two more years until 29 November 2025. Motsoaledi faced a slew of litigation from civil society organisations challenging the decision to terminate the LEP (held by about 55,000 people) and the ZEP (held by about 178,000 people at year end). The High Court had already extended the ZEP to 28 June 2024. Permit holders will be entitled to work, seek employment and conduct business. However, holders will not be entitled to apply for permanent residence status and the new permits will not be renewable. Permit holders can also not change their status in the country and must disclose or register all their minor children born and staying in SA. Nicole Fritz of the Helen Suzman Foundation, which had taken Home Affairs to court, welcomed the minister’s announcement. “The announcement offers tremendous relief to [the permit holders] and their families who have lived in SA perfectly legally for the past 15 years, and have done so by scrupulously observing not only our immigration laws and regulations but all our laws, in that qualification for these permits has required police clearance,” she said. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Joseph Chirume at GroundUp. Lees ook, Zim-permitte weer verleng, by Maroela Media Other internet posting(s) in this news category
SANDF blows R5m on top general’s funeral City Press reports that the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) spent about R5 million on the funeral of its logistics chief, Lieutenant- General Xolani Ndlovu, who passed away last month. This despite the strict austerity measures and a clear instruction to the SANDF bosses to tighten their belts. Hundreds of defence force members travelled to the Eastern Cape and stayed in guest houses for the funeral in New Brighton. Two of the SA Air Force’s Gripen fighter planes even did a fly-by, although Ndlovu was an infantryman with no connection to the air force. Ndlovu died on 13 November, after a long illness. He was promoted to the SANDF’s head of logistics in January this year, when he was already ill. The nearly 450 soldiers and officers who were commanded to attend the funeral were ordered, according to defence force ceremonial instructions, not to live in the military barracks. They had to check into guest houses and claim travel allowances to cover their meals. The instruction was issued despite a ban being placed two months ago on any non-urgent trips and travel allowance claims. The air force’s travel allowance budget is currently R500 million in the red. According to senior officers, the size of the funeral with full military honours was more or less within the ceremonial guidelines for that of a lieutenant-general, but not the additional expenses with flyovers and private accommodation. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Erika Gibson at City Press (subscriber access only)
Hundreds of Great North Transport employees still waiting for pension payouts after 18 years Sunday Independent reports that the pensions of more than 800 former and current employees of Great North Transport (GNT) have still not been paid out by the bus company, 18 years on. The struggling victims have allegedly been swindled out of about R300m of their pension benefits by the bus company, which operates under the auspices of the Limpopo government. The scandal comes after the money vanished into thin air and without a trace, leaving the employees counting their losses. GNT, led by CEO Dr Matata Mokoele, ferries thousands of passengers from work and back every day across the province, and is a subsidiary of the Limpopo Economic Development Agency (Leda), an entity of the Limpopo Department of Economic Development and Tourism (Ledet). Despite promises by the previous Ledet MEC, Thabo Mokone, two years ago that the department was raising money to pay the pensions, this has not come to fruition. Mokone was replaced by Rodgers Monama during the last provincial executive reshuffle by Limpopo Premier Stan Mathabatha. It was previously reported that GNT had failed to pay its contributions to the pension fund administrators, or had made short payments, for 18 years. This despite it having made monthly deductions from staff salaries. The money was evidently used as cash-flow by the cash-strapped bus company. Frustrated widows, widowers and children of former employees and current employees of the subsidised government service, marched to the Limpopo premier's office on Wednesday to present a memorandum of demands. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mashudu Sadike at Sunday Independent
Transnet to investigate graft claims after damning Satawu exposé linking top officials at Ports Authority Sunday Independent reports that state-owned rail, logistics, port and pipeline company Transnet has launched an investigation into allegations of a corrupt syndicate operating at one of its key subsidiaries. The SA Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) has made damning allegations of widespread corruption against key figures at the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA). According to the trade union, over a dozen contracts worth billions of rand should be investigated as they were created out of corruption. Satawu said it was not against change and development at Transnet, and fully supported any initiatives that aimed to boost SA’s economy and create job opportunities and reduce poverty. ”The only thing that Satawu is against is the deliberate breaching of supply chain regulated processes, and violation of the Public Finance Management Act for the purpose of passing through tender transactions to close friends who are disguising (themselves) as Transnet services providers while discriminating (against) other interested companies,” the union indicated. It said it was also against bullying, victimising and wrongfully removing employees, because they did not agree to take part in corrupt activities, as well as against the looting of taxpayers’ money under the false pretence of making positive changes at Transnet. Satawu has called for immediate suspensions pending special and urgent investigation against a number of executives and senior managers it has have identified. In addition, it is demanding that lifestyle audits and lie-detector tests be conducted against all of them. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Loyiso Sidimba Sunday Independent Umgungundlovu council attaches pension of former manager over travel allowance ‘fraud’ Sunday Tribune reports that unethical behaviour and dishonesty at work could cost a former manager at the Umgungundlovu District Municipality a portion of his pension after he was allegedly found to have “defrauded” the municipality. Msawakhe (Johannes) Bhengu is awaiting the outcome of litigation brought against him by the municipality to recoup more than R400,000 alleged to have been stolen by inflating his travel allowance. Bengu had been the human resources manager since 2007 and was fired last year. The municipality’s internal auditors found that he and other colleagues had allegedly abused the travel allowance system. The municipality recently won a case in the Pietermaritzburg High Court to force the KwaZulu-Natal Joint Municipal Pension Fund (KZNMPF) to hold an amount of R416,213 from Bhengu’s payout pending the outcome of a civil claim for financial damages the municipality suffered as a result of his misconduct. Bhengu has denied defrauding the municipality. The court papers did not elaborate how Bhengu and his colleagues abused the travel allowances and how many others were involved in the misconduct. After the internal auditors discovered the wrongdoings, the municipality came up with a new policy that made it difficult to manipulate the system. The implicated employees approached the Labour Court to force the municipality to return to the old system, claiming that the new system was unilaterally changing their employment terms and conditions. But the court dismissed their application in October 2021. The SA Municipal Workers’ Union and the Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union also protested against the new travel allowance system. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Bongani Hans at Sunday Tribune
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