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 Wednesday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of South African
labour-related reports.
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Labour experts warn against unrealistic approach to 2024 wage negotiations SABC News reports that trade unions in various sectors of the economy are gearing up for what could be another tough round of wage talks this year, but labour experts have cautioned against unrealistic expectations. The talks will take place in a very difficult economic environment characterised by high inflation, a poor trading environment and job cuts. However, public sector workers already have a multi-year agreement in place this year. Unions commonly use consumer price inflation (CPI) as a yardstick during salary negotiations and the rate is expected to average 5%. The few unions that have already tabled their wage demands for this year are seeking wage hikes of around 7%. It is expected that most employers could eventually settle between 5% and 6%. Seifsa, an employer federation in the metals and engineering sector representing 1,300 employer companies, indicated that pre-bargaining talks had already started in the sector and said it was hopeful for a fruitful round of talks with unions when they kick off in March. Labour expert Tony Healy commented: “To employers if you possibly can, try and find a way to pay a wage increase that is even if it’s marginally above CPI because you can to some degree justify that you are making an effort and making the kind of sacrifices, financially, to at least try and maintain and slightly improve employee lifestyle by paying above inflation. Not much! It can be a couple of percentage points. I think that’s helpful and from a trade union point of view it’s again realistic.” Economist Jannie Rossouw said: “There must also be good faith negotiations. To go into negotiations suggesting an increase of 15% plus an increase in housing allowances, medical aid allowances, overtime allowances, etc. I cannot regard those as good faith negotiations.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Katlego Legodi at SABC News
Protester arrested for public violence in impasse between Pretoria University and striking employees News24 reports that Gauteng police arrested a protester for public violence in the continued impasse between the University of Pretoria (UP) and striking employees over wages. Police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said the crowd allegedly disrupted classes and vandalised property during the heated strike on Monday. On Tuesday, police received complaints of assault from two people who alleged that they had sustained injuries during the demonstration. Nevhuhulwi said although the situation was calm on Tuesday, members of the Public Order Policing (POP) monitored the situation. The university advised on Tuesday that it had obtained a court order amid ongoing "labour unrest". It said the interdict prevented protesters, represented by Nehawu, from engaging in violent or unlawful conduct, including harassment, assault, the prevention of services, traffic interference, and property damage. Employees are demanding a 7% salary hike, while UP has offered only 4% due to high student debt, high staff costs and operational expenses. In addition to a 7% salary hike, the employees are also demanding a 13th cheque and a once-off bonus. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Cebelihle Bhengu at News24. Read too, Tensions between striking Nehawu members and University of Pretoria management continue to grow, at The Star
Dobsonville doctor dies after being shot during robbery at practice TimesLIVE reports that a well-known Dobsonville doctor has died after being shot during a robbery at his practice in Soweto, Johannesburg. The GP, identified as Dr Michael Isabelle, was wounded on Saturday afternoon when three suspects entered the surgery under the pretense of needing medical assistance for their friend. “Once the receptionist let them inside the consultation room, they shot the doctor. They stole two cellphones before fleeing the scene. The victim was taken to the nearest medical care centre,” police spokesperson Col Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi reported. A case of attempted murder was opened, but Nevhuhulwi said the charge would change to murder as the victim succumbed to his injuries. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at SowetanLive Boxing SA CFO Kenneth Mamosadi gunned down in his driveway City Press reports that in a shocking incident that has left the boxing community in mourning, Boxing SA announced the untimely death of its chief financial officer (CFO), Kenneth Mamosadi. The CFO fell victim to a ruthless attack by assailants in his own Pretoria West driveway, as revealed in an official statement from the organisation. The statement released on Monday lamented: “Tragically, Kenneth's life was taken, with his cellphone being the sole reported stolen belonging. This cowardly act has deprived us of a valued community member and dear friend.” Known for his gentle demeanour and unwavering dedication to the sport of boxing, Kenneth was described as a pillar of strength. The senseless and brutal nature of his murder has left the community shocked and grieving. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sthembiso Lebuso at City Press Eighteen pupils injured after ceiling collapsed at Tembisa primary school on Tuesday News24 reports that eighteen pupils were injured after a classroom's ceiling collapsed at Umthambeka Primary School in Tembisa on Tuesday. Gauteng Department of Education spokesperson Steve Mabona said the Grade 6 pupils, who were all in class at the time of the incident, sustained injuries and were rushed to hospital. Two pupils are recovering at a local medical facility, while others are recuperating at home. "The cause of the incident is uncertain at this stage. As such, we have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident," Mabona said, adding that a psychosocial support team would be dispatched to the school to counsel those affected. Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane commented: "We are concerned about this incident, and it is unfortunate that our children were injured in such a manner at school.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Iavan Pijoos at News24. Lees ook, 18 beseer toe klaskamer se dak inval, by Maroela Media
Edward Kieswetter agrees to further two years at the helm of Sars BusinessLive reports that SA Revenue Service (Sars) commissioner Edward Kieswetter has agreed to an extension of his term by a further two years. The Presidency said on Tuesday that President Cyril Ramaphosa had extended Kieswetter’s term of office “to enable an orderly leadership transition in the organisation”. Kieswetter took over as commissioner in March 2019, with a mandate to rebuild the tax authority, the capacity and integrity of which were severely damaged by its Zuma-era commissioner Tom Moyane. Kieswetter’s five-year term was due to end at the end of April, but he agreed with the president in early February to stay to oversee the transition. It is understood he was reluctant for family reasons to serve another five-year term. The front-runner to take over from Kieswetter is thought to be Johnstone Makhubu, Sars deputy commissioner for taxpayer engagement and operations. Makhubu, who joined Sars in 2016, was one of three deputy commissioners appointed in June to the newly created post. While President has provided more certainty about the leadership of Sars, the question is now when he will provide clarity on the leadership at the Reserve Bank. Ramaphosa has yet to make an appointment to replace deputy governor Kuben Naidoo, who departed in December. The five-year terms of office of governor Lesetja Kganyago and of the other two deputy governors are also due to end later this year and Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has indicated the President may make an announcement on all four posts soon. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Hilary Joffe at BusinessLive. Lees ook, Kieswetter tree eers bietjie later af, by Maroela Media Ramaphosa nominates Mandisa Maya as next chief justice when Zondo retires in August BusinessLive reports that President Cyril Ramaphosa has nominated deputy chief justice Mandisa Maya as the next chief justice. The chief justice position will become vacant on 31 August when the term of office of Raymond Zondo comes to an end. Maya has held the positions of deputy president and president of the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA). On Tuesday, Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, said the President had in terms of section 174(3) of the constitution embarked on a process of consultation with the leaders of political parties represented in parliament and the Judicial Service Commission to convey his nomination. Ramaphosa has asked political parties represented in the National Assembly to make submissions on the suitability or otherwise of Maya to hold the office of chief justice. Ramaphosa has also nominated Justice Dumisani Zondi as deputy president of the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA). Zondi serves as a justice of the SCA. The term of office of the deputy president of the SCA, Justice Xola Petse, will come to an end on 10 July when he turns 70. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at BusinessLive. Lees ook, Mandisa Maya dalk nuwe hoofregter, by Maroela Media
TVET colleges ‘not in a good state’, EWSETA laments Engineering News reports that according to Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority (EWSETA) CEO Mpho Mookapele, SA’s technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges are not in a good state. “Our TVETs are actually supposed to be producing skills for industry, because this is where you get practical training and links to industry. But most of our TVETS aren't even linked to industry,” she said at a media briefing on Tuesday. Mookapele lamented that young people entering TVET colleges were being taught by lecturers who had no practical experience whatsoever. “We have lecturers who have never been to a solar farm but they are teaching solar installation. We've got young people who are doing water process controlling at TVET colleges, yet they don't even know what a wastewater treatment plant looks like. What do we expect the outcome of this will be?” Mookapele asked. “A lot of money is put in these colleges and into the students who are funded to attend them, but the return on investment is not there,” Mookapele added, noting that there was a dire need to ensure that TVET college lecturers are exposed to the realities and practicalities of working in the field. To support the development of critical skills within the water and energy sector, the EWSETA is developing and implementing specialised renewable energy and water resource management training programmes in a bid to align with industry needs and technological advancements. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Engineering News
Provident fund declines to pay benefit of R250,000 to missing man's wife SowetanLive reports that a provident fund has refused to pay a benefit of more than R250,000 to a woman whose husband went missing in 2020. According to the woman, her husband, who had been employed by Mondi Limited, went missing in September 2020, but she has not been able to get a death certificate or a court's presumption of death declaration. The fund noted that there was no confirmation that the member was dead or still alive and advised that the complainant should pursue the matter with the South African Police Service. After the fund refused to pay out the benefit, the complainant then lodged a case with the Pension Fund Adjudicator, Muvhango Lukhaimane, who also declined her request. According to the adjudicator, the woman motivated that she could only apply for presumption of death after a period of seven years, but she needed the money to make a living. Lukhaimane added that “until a death certificate is issued, or a specific other order is granted, a missing person’s affairs are in legal limbo and dependents may have no access to funds and debts will be unpaid." Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mahlohonolo Magadla at SowetanLive
Solidarity sets its sights on larger battle against NHI scheme after setback over premature appointments Solidarity announced on Tuesday that it was ready to submit its court documents against the larger National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill despite an unfavourable verdict earlier in the Pretoria High Court on the validity of the premature creation of NHI jobs. Solidarity’s application to have the advertising of jobs and recruitment for the NHI, even before the Bill was signed, declared invalid, was dismissed without costs in a ruling by Judge David Unterhalter. Anton van der Bijl, deputy chief executive and head of legal matters at Solidarity, said the true battle had not even started yet – and this would only follow when the NHI Bill was signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa. “Although we are disappointed with the verdict, this is merely the opening salvos in our fight for the heart of healthcare in South Africa. The court has made it clear in its verdict that there is indeed a basis for us to launch these types of applications (against the NHI). This is only the beginning of the battle regarding the NHI. We will issue our documents as soon as the Bill is undersigned,” said Van der Bijl. Various Solidarity reports of have portrayed the NHI as “unaffordable, unworkable and unnecessary”. Lees, Solidariteit skud vere reg vir groter NGV-stryd, by Maroela Media
Student constable arrested for raping fellow police officer The Citizen reports that the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) has arrested a student constable in KwaZulu-Natal for allegedly raping his colleague after a braai. Ipid spokesperson Phaladi Shuping said the 26-year-old was released on R2,000 bail after appearing in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. He indicated: “The incident allegedly occurred on 1 September 2023, during a gathering where student constables were having a braai and drinks at their rental compound. When it was time for them to go to their respective rooms to sleep, the arrested officer allegedly went into the room of the complainant, 26, and raped her.” The case was reported to Ipid, which conducted an investigation. The docket was then handed over to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) after which the accused was arrested and charged for rape. He later made bail and the case was postponed to 15 April. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nicholas Zaal at The Citizen
Gauteng motorists told to beware criminals masquerading as traffic police officers BusinessLive reports that the Gauteng Traffic Police (GTP) unit has urged motorists to beware of criminals posing as traffic officers with the intention of kidnapping, robbing or hijacking road users. This after a doctor was hijacked and robbed while driving on the N3 highway near Vosloorus last weekend. The victim was stopped by five men driving a white vehicle with blue lights. Three of them were wearing police uniforms. “This is one of the trends used by hijackers to mislead motorists into falling victim to kidnappings and hijackings,” indicated GTP spokesperson Sello Maremane. He reiterated that every traffic officer must have an appointment certificate that identified who they were and the authority that had appointed them. “A member of the public has the right to demand to see such a certificate. Failure to produce such a certificate must be a red flag for the motorist. Motorists are also allowed to drive off if the certificate is not shown to them. It is also important to note that the National Road Traffic Act dictates that a traffic officer must have a name tag while stopping vehicles. Lastly, the branding of the vehicle can be used to identify the organisation’s identity even if it is not compulsory for officers to use branded vehicles,” said Maremane. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at BusinessLive
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