In our roundup of weekend and recent reports,
see summaries of our selection of South African
labour-related stories that recently appeared.
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‘Significant victory’ for Popcru as SAPS management agrees to pay police for election overtime IOL News reports that the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) is celebrating a “significant victory” for its members in the SA Police Service (SAPS) after police management agreed to pay for overtime for operations during the elections. The union said that management had agreed to three fundamental demands. A shift system comprising two 12-hour shifts will be implemented, with a special daily allowance allocated for work performed during the three days of the election period from Monday to Wednesday. Additionally, members on standby will receive overtime pay if called to work. SAPS members whose leave was cancelled during the election period, will either be compensated or allowed to reapply for their leave. Popcru president Thulani Ngwenya reported: “This agreement comes in response to the concerns raised last week regarding SAPS management’s failure to engage with the union on critical election preparations, and the lack of a comprehensive national policing strategy. Following these discussions, we are proud to confirm that the final agreement was reached late in the afternoon on Friday, giving our members the reassurance they needed to perform their work.” Ngwenya added: “Some police have already been deployed over the weekend, and our members stand ready to ensure a fair, peaceful, and democratic election process in our communities.” The union said that it had established teams to travel to each province to ensure the implementation of all interventions. In response to its complaints regarding the conduct of SAPS management, National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola agreed to meet with Popcru after the elections to perform a thorough review to identify and address any managerial failures that caused unnecessary confusion. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Vernon Pillay at IOL News
Two Eastern Cape cops killed, one seriously injured in crash while transporting prisoners News24 reports that two police officers died and another was seriously injured in an accident on the R63 in the Eastern Cape on Friday. On Saturday, police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu said the officers were transporting two awaiting trial prisoners from Somerset East Magistrate's Court to Graaff-Reinet Correctional Services when the accident occurred. The police vehicle suffered a burst tyre and left the road, somersaulting several times. A 59-year-old warrant officer and 41-year-old constable died on the scene, while a sergeant, aged 43, sustained serious injuries. The injured member and the two prisoners were taken to hospital for treatment. A case of culpable homicide was opened for investigation. Read the original of the report in the above regard by Iavan Pijoos at News24. Lees ook, Polisielede verongeluk naby Graaff-Reinet, by Maroela Media Hand found in rubble at George building collapse site could be linked to a victim who was rescued News24 reports that police advised on Saturday that a hand had been found in the rubble of the collapsed Victoria Street building in George. Police spokesperson Sergeant Christopher Spies said officers had been sent to the site on Friday, to inspect debris from the building that collapsed on 6 May. There, they were shown a hand that security personnel had discovered earlier. "The human remains were recovered and sent to the SAPS laboratory for forensic analysis to determine the origin and whether it could be linked to a victim who was rescued during the search and rescue operation," Spies advised. He confirmed that no further bodies had been found. The discovery came just days after rescue workers cleared the construction site, after two weeks of sifting through the rubble to find survivors. Sixty-two people were pulled from the collapsed building, 33 of whom are deceased. The Western Cape government is conducting an investigation into the collapse. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Iavan Pijoos at News24. Lees ook, George: Oorskot in bourommel gevind, by Maroela Media. En, Ramp in George onthou, by Maroela Media Years after deadly Tongaat mall collapse, investigation has stalled News24 reports that as police take over the scene of the deadly George building collapse, a long-running criminal investigation into another building tragedy – the Tongaat Mall collapse – appears to have stalled. Two people were killed and 29 injured on 19 November 2013 when a slab of concrete collapsed after a supporting column gave way. The Department of Labour launched an inquiry and then Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant handed over the results of the probe to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in KwaZulu-Natal at a high-profile media conference in May 2016. But eight years later, the NPA is still sitting on its investigation. "Investigations are ongoing, and we are therefore not in a position yet to make any decision in respect of the matter," said NPA regional spokesperson Natasha Ramkisson-Kara last week. In 2016, the minister declined to give the names of the companies and people implicated, but she said the probe had found clear evidence of wrongdoing. This included a lack of supervision of construction work at the mall, a lack of building knowledge, poor construction methods, and a failure to adhere to standards, such as properly analysing the results of tests on concrete. At the time, the department also promised that it would tighten laws to reduce the use of untrained personnel for critical tasks on building sites. Bigger fines and the risk of jail would reduce noncompliance, said the department's then-director general, Thobile Lamati. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jan Cronje at Fin24 Eastern Cape security guard who allegedly killed teen who entered school premises to access wifi arrested News24 reports that a 62-year-old security guard has been arrested following the fatal shooting of a 13-year-old boy and the injury of another pupil at the Matafeni Junior Secondary School in Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape. Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu said a group of about seven children allegedly entered the school premises on Thursday to access the school's wifi and were then confronted by the security guard on duty. "It is further alleged that when the learners saw the security guard, they started running. The guard fired at them, hitting two boys," Naidu said. One of the boys, aged 13, died at the scene, while his friend, also 13, sustained gunshot wounds and was rushed to the hospital for treatment. The security guard fled the scene immediately after the shooting, but was apprehended later that evening. He was charged with murder, attempted murder, possession of a prohibited firearm, and illegal possession of ammunition. He is expected to appear in the Lusikisiki Magistrate's Court on Monday. Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Nomthetheleli Mene commented: “This incident is a reminder of the critical importance of appropriate responses in security situations." Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Iavan Pijoos at News24. Lees ook, Veiligheidswag skiet op seuns op skoolterrein; een dood, by Maroela Media
Pikitup casual staff on a waste spilling spree during weekend The Star reports that for over two weeks casual workers at Pikitup have been on strike, demanding permanent employment at the Johannesburg waste company after serving as temporary workers for a long time. At the weekend, the Joburg CBD and other surrounding areas witnessed the workers’ rage as they spilt waste in protest. The waste pickers were seen on Friday marching towards the Bree Taxi Rank, via Bank City, spilling waste all over the streets. They carried wood-like weapons and knobkerries and chanted as they spilled waste along their route. On Saturday, videos circulating on Facebook showed the workers emptying a compactor truck and spilling uncollected waste in Hillbrow and Berea. According to Pikitup’s social media pages, refuse collection services by permanent staff have been ongoing for more than two days across most of its depots, with law enforcement currently monitoring them to ensure security and safety. Last Wednesday, City of Joburg city manager Floyd Brink outlined a recovery plan to resume refuse collection services across affected areas. Brink said Pikitup had obtained a court interdict against the workers, and was currently engaging with senior management to find amicable long-term solutions. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Hope Mafu at The Star SG Convenience workers down tools for 15% increase GroundUp reports that SG Convenience truck drivers and general workers affiliated with the Dynamic Peoples’ Union of SA (DPYUSA) in Gauteng, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal downed tools last week. The strike at the distribution company’s warehouses across the country commenced on Monday with the workers demanding a 15% increase, subsidised medical aid and better working conditions. On Friday, about 50 striking workers picketed outside the company’s warehouse in Glen Anil in the north of Durban. Driver Sthenjwa Zondi said: “When driving long distances, they do not even give us a meal allowance. We have to use our money. We want the company to recognise our union so that it will be easy for us to raise our demands through the union.” The union’s Takalani Thongoane said their attempts to resolve the workers’ complaints with the company had so far been fruitless. Michael Quma, a manager at SG Convenience, indicated: “We have been having back-to-back meetings with the employees, trying to find a solution. I can’t really tell when the solution is going to be.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tsoanelo Sefoloko at GroundUp
SANParks, union agree on multi-year wage deal with an effective 8% wage increase from April 2024 Sunday World reports that SA National Parks (SANParks) and the National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers (Nupsaw) and have signed a three-year multi wage agreement which will be effective from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2027. Employees from 19 national parks within the bargaining unit of Job Grade A1-C5 who were employed prior to 1 April 2024 will receive an across the board increase of 7% for the period 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025. Parties further agreed to 1% salary adjustment as an annual pay progression. Consequently, the qualifying bargaining unit employees will receive a 8% increase. The parties further agreed to salary adjustments for the financial years 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 based on the projected consumer price index plus 1%. Employees will also receive a 5% increase to the Night Shift Allowance, Danger Allowance and Sleep-Out Allowance. Also a Housing allowance for A & B Band and a Tools of Trade allowance. Yet, Nupsaw said the struggle would not be over at SANParks until market-related salary adjustments were achieved and implemented equally without any favour or prejudice through benchmarking for all Job Grades A1-C5. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Sunday World
New race storm over Absa’s top jobs Business Times reports that Absa is caught up in another transformation storm after senior black executives confronted group CEO Arrie Rautenbach over recent critical senior appointments, including the planned removal of the head of the group’s Africa operations. But the bank has defended the appointments announced last month, saying they were “meticulously crafted to propel our growth objectives and fortify our position in the market”. According to inside sources, apart from a set of changes in April, senior black executives also opposed Rautenbach’s intention to remove Saviour Chibiya as head of regional operations in Africa. Rautenbach announced internally that Chibiya, who began his banking career in Zambia, would be replaced by Ravin Dajee, head of Absa operations in Mauritius. However, Chibiya has challenged the decision and this, together with a mini-revolt by some colleagues, is said to have stalled the personnel change. In Chibiya’s view, the regional operations division has performed “exceptionally” on his watch. Black executives used an Absa management session led by Rautenbach and the group’s senior executive team last Monday to vent their frustration, and to question the choice of Dajee. Aggrieved executives are also said to have confronted Rautenbach over the other senior personnel changes announced last month. Deon Raju assumed the role of group FD, succeeding Jason Quinn, who had moved to Nedbank as CEO. Rajal Vaidya was named interim group chief risk officer, while Christine Wu replaced Cowyk Fox as CEO of the Everyday Banking business unit. But, the appointments caused ructions because some believed proper processes were not followed and that the changes were a setback to transformation. “It is clear they did not invite other candidates [to apply]. It was a matter of moving chairs. That kind of process for such a position deprives the company of getting competitive talent,” said one unhappy executive. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Dineo Faku at Business Times (subscriber access only)
Sub-contracted cleaners at Durban Magistrate’s Court unpaid for two months due to cyberattack The Mercury reports that the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) is expected to meet this week with the KwaZulu-Natal provincial management of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development over unpaid salaries of contracted workers at the Durban Magistrate’s Court. The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) is responsible for the payments, which have not been made to a subcontractor, resulting in 56 employees of a cleaning company not being paid. According to Nehawu’s Ntokozo Nxumalo, the department contracted a construction company for the renovation of the court. The construction company then subcontracted to another company for the cleaning services. The owner of the subcontracted company said they had received various assurances from DPWI that they would be paid. “We were first promised payment on May 7 then another letter said it would be on May 14. I spoke to my workers, I told them that we have not received payments and I asked them to bear with me until we get our payment, and if they cannot, they are welcome to quit. None of them left,” said the owner of the cleaning company. She said they had now been promised that they would be paid on Monday. DPWI spokesperson Lennox Mabaso said the department had fallen prey to a cyberattack and explained: “We are victims of a cyberattack and we were then forced to shut down our systems. This affected our payments. We were notified by our banks about this attack and we had to protect the state. We did, however, notify and apologise to our creditors as soon as we were made aware of the issue. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Siphesihle Buthelezi at The Mercury
HPCSA ‘not hindering overseas-trained SA doctors from working in SA’ Sunday Tribune reports that the Health Professions Council of SA (HPCSA) has denied allegations that it deliberately frustrated and placed unnecessary impediments in the path of overseas-trained South African doctors attempting integration into the local medical fraternity. The allegations were raised by the SA Internationally Trained Health Professionals Association (Saithpa), on behalf of the affected doctors. The Saithpa, on various occasions, has secured high court orders in its favour over some of the HPCSA’s methods of operations. The NPO’s latest allegations centre on the HPCSA’s administration of its board exams and doctors’ rights to access their exam scripts. HPCSA communications manager Priscilla Sekhonyana said they had never disallowed either the viewing or remarking of exam scripts, but this had to be done in accordance with the rules and availability of time by the examining institution. Sekhonyana denied that the HPCSA was in the business of fleecing money from applicants and practitioners. Asked about the Saithpa’s claim that practitioners faced unnecessary delays and hurdles regarding the vetting of qualifications of doctors who attempted integration locally, even endorsement from the Education Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG), Sekhonyana said foreign-qualified applicants were not entitled for automatic registration with the HPCSA and the training they receive abroad needed to be assessed for equivalence. The ECFMG only helped with the authentication of an institution. Sekhonyana acknowledged that the HPCSA systems and processes sometimes posed challenges, but said no malice was intended. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mervyn Naidoo at Sunday Tribune
Solidarity’s court documents assert that NHI Act is ‘impracticable, unnecessary and totally unaffordable’ Maroela Media reports that Solidarity indicated on Friday that it would be serving court documents challenging the National Health Insurance (NHI) legislation on the government later that day. The trade union’s Chief Executive Dr Dirk Hermann indicated: “The notice in the Government Gazette does not put the law into effect. The notice does not comply with the requirements determined by the NHI Act for implementation of the Act. Any action arising from the notice will be illegal.” Solidarity’s court action could bring the implementation of the NHI to a halt. The serving of court documents comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa failed to withdraw the legislation before Thursday’s deadline set by Solidarity’s legal team. In the court documents, it is Solidarity’s argument that Ramaphosa’s mere signing of the Act the previous week did not bring the legislation into force, as technical flaws in the Act deprived it of its legality. The reason put forward was that there was no start date for the scheme, as required by section 59 of the NHI Act. “These obvious technical shortcomings show how negligent the Act, as it was published in the Government Gazette, was cobbled together,” said Solidarity Deputy Chief Executive Anton van der Bijl. He went on to advise that Solidarity also stated in the court documents that the NHI Act was impracticable, unnecessary and totally unaffordable. “The hasty signing and the obvious technical flaws confirm that this is reckless vote-garnering. The correct promulgation of the Act still needs a lot of work. The government is not ready for that. Therefore, they signed quickly and created the impression among the public that the Act has been implemented,” Hermann said. Read the full original of the Afrikaans report regarding the above by Tania Heyns at Maroela Media
Mpumalanga police commissioner Daphney Manamela served with suspension notice Sunday World reports that Mpumalanga provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Daphney Manamela has been served with a suspension notice pending the outcome of the board of inquiry. On 16 May, national police commissioner General Fanie Masemola, slapped Manamela with seven charges and a notice to suspend her. In the letter, Masemola gave Manamela five days to give reasons why she should not be suspended, but the provincial commissioner was still at work on Friday. A police spokesperson confirmed that Manamela had been served with a notice of suspension. Manamela was initially served with a charge sheet and a notice to appear before a board of inquiry in October last year, but took the matter to court, challenging the process and her suspension. The Pretoria High Court dismissed her case with costs on 5 April of this year. The charges against Manamela include allegations that she authorised the installation of two CCTV cameras in her office, which cost the SAPS R92,035, without following proper procurement regulations. She also allegedly used vulgar language against colleagues. Manamela also allegedly attempted to extort a gift from a colleague and was also charged with abusing a state vehicle to escort her from her office in Mbombela to her home in Middelburg. According to the charge sheet, Manamela informed the provincial leadership of police unions during a meeting that she was “holding a bombshell” and further stated: “I want to assure you, the day I go down as PC (provincial commissioner) of Mpumalanga, there will be bloodshed in Mpumalanga.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mzilikazi wa Afrika at Sunday World
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