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 South African
labour-related reports.
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Nehawu-affiliated workers at Nelson Mandela University embark on strike for 8% rise SABC News reports that workers affiliated to the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) at Nelson Mandela University have embarked on a full-blown no-work, no-pay strike at the university in Gqeberha. The workers are demanding an eight percent salary increase. On Friday, the workers handed over a memorandum of demands to the university. Branch Chairperson Manelisi Klaas said they would continue with their protest until the university came to the negotiation table. “We found out at CCMA that the university has money to fund the 1.1% that we need over and above the 6.9%. When the CCMA commissioner asked them to calculate how much of the 1.1% from the R90 million savings that they have, the university management decided to run away from those processes; the matter remains unresolved until they get back to us and settle the 1.1% that we need over and above the 6.9% because they do have money,” Klaas indicated. Read the original of the short report in the above regard at SABC News Clash over wages at Pretoria University sees use of tear gas and rubber bullets BNN Network reports that a peaceful protest over wages at the University of Pretoria's (UP’s) Hatfield campus turned into a scene of chaos and conflict on Monday. Members of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) had gathered to demand better wages, but their peaceful assembly was met with an unexpected response of tear gas and rubber bullets, courtesy of the local police force. On 15 February, Nehawu-affiliated staff at UP initiated a strike as a part of their ongoing wage dispute. They are demanding a 7% wage increase, a 13th cheque, a once-off bonus, additional annual leave days, and long service cash awards at 10, 15, and 20-year milestones. The university's response was to transition to online classes temporarily, aiming to minimize the strike's impact on students' education. However, the move to digital classrooms has not quelled the unrest, with the university obtaining a court order limiting picketing activities and prohibiting intimidation and violence, while ensuring campus access for all. The university confirmed the incident on Monday, emphasizing its commitment to ensuring the safety of its premises and the continuity of operations. Meanwhile, critics, including AfriForum Youth, condemned the impact of the strike and the subsequent police action on students and called for university management to take decisive steps to ensure the safety and uninterrupted education of all students. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at BNN Network. Lees ook, Traanrook, rubberkoeëls toe polisie stakende Tuks-werkers verjaag (video), by Maroela Media
Labour department closes unsafe mobile classrooms at school in Limpopo TimesLIVE reports that the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) inspectorate in Limpopo has closed down seven mobile classrooms at Tshikundamalema Secondary School in Masisi, due to non-compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The use of the mobile classrooms, which threatened the health and safety of pupils and the teachers, has been prohibited. There were live electric wires and distribution boxes open without covers, which posed a danger of electrocution. The classes also had no mechanical ventilation, which posed a danger of heatstroke, heat exhaustion and heat cramps and possible death. An additional prohibition notice was issued for an old dilapidated block which posed a danger of collapse. The school was furthermore issued with a contravention notice for failure to adhere to the general safety regulations and environmental regulations for workplaces. In particular, it had failed to ensure that at least more than one person who was in possession of a valid certificate of competence in first aid was readily available during normal working hours, to provide first aid boxes near the workplace and to keep all floors and walkways in a good state of repair. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at TimesLIVE
March on Monday by unemployed healthcare workers to Union Buildings News24 reports that about 100 healthcare workers marched to the Union Buildings on Monday to demand jobs and call for a health budget increase. This came a week after Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla said, in response to President Cyril Ramaphosa's State of the Nation Address, that the department would be outlining the plans and timelines for the recruitment of healthcare workers, including recently graduated health professionals and unemployed doctors. The Union Buildings were under police guard on Monday when the marchers arrived as they sang revolutionary songs and held placards that read: "Doctors on the streets while patients are dying in queues," and: "We serve the community, employ the doctors." A memorandum was handed over to an official from the Presidency. The demands included a call for no national budget cuts for healthcare, instead of which there should be a budget increase for the health sector to accommodate all unemployed healthcare workers. The protestors also demanded full-time work with full pay and benefits, and sought a database of all healthcare workers completing community service coupled with plans to place them. Currently, there are 645 unemployed junior doctors who are still waiting to be placed by the National Department of Health after completing their community service in December. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Yoliswa Sobuw at News24
Cosatu hails ANC election manifesto as a ‘silver bullet’ BusinessLive reports that labour federation Cosatu, which has supported the ANC during elections since 1994, has thrown its weight behind the governing party’s manifesto. It described the manifesto as progressive and a silver bullet to address the country’s socioeconomic crises, including creating employment and fixing ailing state-owned enterprises. Cosatu said the manifesto was a product of “robust engagements” between the ANC and its alliance partners, including Cosatu, the SACP and the SA National Civic Organisation. ANC leader Cyril Ramaphosa unveiled the election manifesto at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday. The ANC, which is beset by operational, administrative, governance and financial challenges, planned to create more than 2.5-million job opportunities in the next five years, Ramaphosa said. Under the Ramaphosa presidency, SA has been dogged by low economic growth, rolling power cuts, failing infrastructure, the rising cost of living, high unemployment, systemic corruption and violent crime. But, Cosatu’s Matthew Parks said that the ANC manifesto provided a “sober and bold path for the next term that, if implemented, can see that challenges of unemployment, load-shedding, crime and corruption, poverty and inequality [are] overcome”. Several surveys have suggested the ANC’s electoral support could fall below 50% in the national and provincial elections to be held on 29 May. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinessLive
Home Affairs investigating SA Military Health Service general who ‘lied’ about his age City Press reports that the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) is investigating a general who appears to have become four years “younger” while he was in the defence force. Brigadier General Vuyo Luke, inspector general of the SA Military Health Service (SAMHS), retires at the end of February at the age of 60. However, it appears that his identity number was changed in 2015. According to his first identity number, Luke should have retired four years ago, but, thanks to this change, he was able to earn his salary until now, which means that he earned four years more salary and thus has a larger pensionable income. A thorough investigation is under way into the reason for the change to the general’s identity number, which made the general four – even five – years younger. Last year, whistleblowers asked the defence minister to investigate the issue urgently before his pension was paid to him, but months later they are still waiting for an answer. When asked, Luke said the mix-up with his ID numbers started in 1994. He said he had no identity documents when he was in exile before that date, as part of the uMkhonto weSizwe forces. With these forces’ return to SA and the integration of members into the defence force, DHA issued documents for them. According to Luke, his number was wrong. He was born on 10 February 1964 and not on 2 October 1960, as indicated in his 1994 ID. On 25 February 2015, the date was changed on the database. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Erika Gibson at City Press (subscriber access only)
Speaker Mapisa-Nqakula has 10 days to respond to allegations on Parliament secretary's ballooning salary News24 reports that in the final days of her term, National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula must defend herself against misconduct allegations relating to the controversial salary of Parliament's secretary, Xolile George. Mapisa-Nqakula has until 4 March to respond to a litany of allegations levelled against her by DA chief whip Siviwe Gwarube. In a letter dated 22 February, acting chairperson of the Powers and Privileges Committee, Manketsi Tlhape, explained the reasons behind the allegations against Mapisa-Nqakula. She was initially referred to the committee by her deputy, Lechesa Tsenoli. The controversy is centred around George's annual package, which went up from an advertised R2.6 million to a whopping R4.4 million in less than a year – all because he was recruited through a headhunting process. Mapisa-Nqakula is accused of improperly influencing chief whips and members of the National Assembly to endorse George's appointment by fraudulently disclosing a much lower remuneration package. It is alleged that this was done when she knew well that George's remuneration package would be increased a mere four or so months after his appointment. Once it receives Mapisa-Nqakula's response, the committee will decide whether the matter should proceed to a formal enquiry. This will be done to determine whether the actions complained of constitute misconduct or contempt of Parliament. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jason Felix at News24
As spectre of prescribed pension fund assets returns, asset managers indicate strong opposition BL Premium reports that the ANC plans to introduce legislation to compel pension fund managers to invest in government stock as part of its plans to grow the economy and put greater investment into infrastructure development. That would require an amendment of regulation 28 of the Pension Funds Act, which sets the maximum level that pension funds and life insurers can hold in the various asset classes, such as property, government bonds and listed shares, but does not prescribe minimum investments in asset classes. In its election manifesto, released on Saturday, the ANC said it would “engage and direct financial institutions to invest a portion of their funds in industrialisation, infrastructure development and the economy through prescribed assets”. However, the asset management industry will likely strongly oppose asset prescription. Makwe Masilela of Makwe Fund Managers said on Sunday that prescribed assets should be used only in such a way that they gave good – or at least decent – investment returns, or else pension funds would struggle to meet their liabilities. Aeon Investment Management’s Asief Mohamed commented: “The proposed introduction of tougher prescribed assets is a red herring. Retirement savings are workers’ deferred wages. Again, the workers’ deferred wages are being used to prop up the deficiencies of government leadership.” Alexforbes CEO Dawie de Villiers previously indicated: “Prescription should not happen and we are dead against it.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Thando Maeko at BusinessLive (subscriber access only) SA investment professional in fake qualifications row quits senior role in industry body Fin24 reports that Langalezwe Madonko, the central figure in a fake qualification controversy at private equity company Summit Africa, has resigned from his senior position at a black investment industry body. Madonko, the co-founder and investment principal at Summit Africa, which manages R1.6 billion in assets from Telkom and some municipal pension funds, as well as Alexforbes and a UK government financier, has confirmed that he does not have the range of qualifications claimed on his CV, including from the prestigious London School of Economics (LSE). According to Madonko, false qualifications in Summit marketing material were due to "an administrative error". Madonko was last year re-elected for another three-year term as deputy president of the Association of Black Securities and Investment Professionals (ABSIP). He represents ABSIP in the Financial Sector Transformation Council. He also represents the Black Business Council, a group lobbying for black businesspeople, at the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac). ABSIP said in a statement on Monday morning that Madonko, who served as deputy president since 2020, had resigned. In an interview with News24, Madonko admitted his highest qualification was an A Level school-leaving certificate he obtained in Zimbabwe. His profile also boasted of employment history with JP Morgan and McKinsey & Co. The profile has since been removed. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Fin24
Numsa accuses Putco of mistreating employees suspended for allegedly striking illegally in 2020 The Star reports that the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) has accused bus operator Putco of mistreating its suspended workers. This comes after more than 120 employees, mostly bus drivers, were suspended for participating in an illegal strike in 2022. Since then, the employees have been attending their disciplinary hearings on a regular basis at the company’s Soweto depot. The latest accusation came amid an intensified back and forth war of words after the union accused the bus operator of dumping human waste in the bush located next to its Soweto depot. A suspended employee apparently recorded a video of a van carrying a mobile toilet, dumping alleged faeces in a bushy area, within the Putco premises. In a statement at the weekend, Numsa spokesperson, Phakamile Hlubi-Majola, claimed that the company kept the suspended employees as prisoners who were denied access to clean water and ablution facilities while they were required to report at the depot every day since their 2022 suspension. “Workers are forced to sit in an area known as the ‘cage’ and their movements are restricted. They may not drink decent water or use decent toilets. Putco is behaving like the guard of a jail by insisting that workers report to ‘prison’ if they want to get their salaries in full,” Hlubi-Majola alleged. However, Putco has denied the allegations, saying Numsa was conducting a smear campaign against it. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Siyabonga Sithole at The Star
Bogus doctor who tried to solicit bribe from patient at Chris Hani Baragwanath arrested The Citizen reports that a woman who posed as a doctor will soon appear in court after she was caught trying to solicit a bribe from a patient at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital in Johannesburg. A statement from the Gauteng Department of Health indicated: “A person impersonating a medical doctor was nabbed at [the hospital] on Sunday night (25 February) after they demanded that an escort to a patient pay R700 for the ‘doctor’ to assist the patient. The member of the public became suspicious when the bogus doctor who was wearing green scrubs with the name ‘Dr Zulu’ imprinted on the uniform, advised her to meet at the pedestrian gate where the said payment was to be made. The escort notified the security personnel who eventually apprehended the bogus doctor at the hospital’s pedestrian gate.” When the woman was asked to produce her Health Professions Council of SA (HPCSA) registration number and a Persal number by the security and facility management, she was unable to do so. The hospital opened a case at Diepkloof Police Station. The bogus doctor spent a night in custody and was due to appear at the Orlando Magistrate’s Court on Monday afternoon. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nicholas Zaal at The Citizen. See too, Fake doctor nabbed for soliciting R700 bribe at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, at The Star Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Former Oudtshoorn deputy mayor sentenced to jail time for sexual assaulting an employee IOL News reports that the former deputy mayor of Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape, Mlandeli Abednico Nyuka, has been sentenced to five years direct imprisonment for sexually assaulting an employee who worked in Nyuka’s office. He was convicted and sentenced in the Oudtshoorn Magistrate’s Court. Provincial spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Eric Ntabazalila, pointed out this was Nyuka’s second conviction and sentencing for sexual assault, using the same modus operandi. The court heard Nyuka called the victim into his office, locked the door before trying to manipulate her by stating he would ensure she received a promotion at work. He then lifted her dress and touched her private parts without permission. Nyuka’s office phone rang and he answered it, which gave the woman a chance to get out of his office and run outside. During the trial, Nyuka dismissed the allegations against him and claimed the victim was part of a different faction of the Suid-Kaap Saamstaan political party, which had petitioned the high court to have him removed from the party. Magistrate Sylvia Mandla found Nyuka was not a good witness and that he fabricated evidence. She found he abused his seniority to obtain sexual favours. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Robin-Lee Francke at IOL News. Read too, 'Sexual predator who abused his position': Ex-Oudtshoorn mayor jailed for sexual assault, at News24. Lees ook, Oud-onderburgemeester gevonnis oor seksuele aanranding, by Maroela Media
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