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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George building collapse: Consulting engineer placed on precautionary suspension News24 reports that the Engineering Council of SA (ECSA) has imposed a precautionary suspension on the consulting engineer who was overseeing the construction of the apartment block in George that collapsed more than a month ago, killing 34 people. In a statement on Tuesday, ECSA said the decision was taken as a preventive measure, to protect any potential and/or actual prejudice to public health and safety as a result of engineering-related undertakings. "The precautionary suspension is not a disciplinary action, but a temporary removal of and/or restriction on all of the registered person's rights, privileges, and/or activities associated with professional registration with the ECSA. Council will maintain this suspension until a decision is made regarding the potential charges against the Registered Person and/or the finalisation of any subsequent disciplinary action or appeal,” the statement indicated. While the ECSA did not name the person it was placing on precautionary suspension, it did name the company, namely Mitchell & Associates. Mitchell & Associates was named as the structural and civil engineer for the George building site by developers Neo Victoria Developments in early May, a few days after the deadly collapse. Mitchell & Associates is run by Atholl Mitchell, a registered professional engineering technologist. Last month it was reported that Mitchell was under investigation by the ECSA at the time of the deadly incident for two separate matters. The ECSA's investigating committee in February recommended that Mitchell be charged with various breaches of the ECSA's code of conduct after a complaint was lodged in December last year. The other complaint laid against Mitchell in 2020 related to a project he was supervising in 2018 and 2019, but the investigating committee determined there was insufficient evidence to suggest a transgression of the ESCA's code of conduct. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Noxolo Sibiya at News24. Read too, Engineering Council of SA places George building engineer on precautionary suspension, at EWN Gauteng nurse, gardener in court for allegedly killing domestic worker for R6m insurance payout News24 reports that a Gauteng nurse and her gardener have been charged with the murder of the nurse's domestic worker, Busiswa Nxumalo, 21, and attempts to defraud three insurance companies of some R6 million. Sithembile Happiness Xulu, 48, appeared briefly alongside Simon Mogale, 37, in the Lenasia Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, facing charges of murder and fraud. It is alleged Xulu, impersonating Nxumalo, fraudulently took out three life cover policies worth R1 million each. Xulu was allegedly the sole beneficiary of the policies. In terms of the three policies, if Nxumalo died of unnatural causes, Xulu could allegedly expect to pocket R6 million. The funds have apparently since been frozen. Xulu appeared in court alone last week, facing a charge of fraud. Mogale was arrested in Limpopo on 13 June. Prosecutor Matimba Maluleke brought an application to have the two joined in the case and an additional charge of murder to be added against Xulu, which Magistrate Syfred Mati approved. Advocate Tyrone Mashaba representing the pair indicated: "We want to proceed with bail. We don't have a problem with them being joined and an additional murder charge added against Xulu, and the schedule escalated to Schedule 6 from 5." The case was postponed to 25 June. Nxumalo's body was found at a rubbish dump near railway tracks, according to a source. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ntwaagae Seleka at News24 Union tells health workers at Mthimba clinic not to report to work until their safety can be guaranteed SowetanLive reports that according to the National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu), the poor state of security at Mpumalanga’s health facilities is reflected by a robbery at a clinic that left nurses fearful for their safety and the theft of 23 cars from hospitals in the past six months. The union highlighted the urgent need for the government to give security assurances to its members. In the latest incident, healthcare workers have refused to report for duty at the Mthimba clinic near Hazyview after being robbed at gunpoint last week. Nehawu asked the workers not to show up for duty unless the department of health could guarantee their safety. According to Mpumalanga police, three armed men stormed the clinic on Wednesday afternoon. They allegedly beat up security guards and tied them up before heading to the patients and nurses, robbing them at gunpoint. “I’m scared to even go to work because these guys pointed a gun to my face, and that was the first time in my life that a gun was pointed at me,” a nurse said. Nehawu provincial secretary Welcome Mnisi stated: “The recent attack has sent shock waves among our members, hence we have instructed the workers at Mthimba clinic to down tools until the department has assured us of their safety. Not only are we concerned about the safety of staff members but of the patients too because they fall victim due to lack of security. We have sat with the department including former premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, promises we made to secure clinics and hospitals but nothing was done until now.” Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Mpumalanga department of health reported that 23 cars, including two mobile clinics, had been stolen from the province's hospitals over the past six months. So far, police have only managed to recover three of the vehicles. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mandla Khoza at SowetanLive
Numsa strike at SA Steel Mills enters third week, with an appeal to the IDC to intervene Business Report writes that the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) on Tuesday said it was still awaiting a response from the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) to its appeal about bringing SA Steel Mills (SASM) to heel over its refusal to sign a recognition agreement and a R16-per-hour upgrade to the entry-level wages of workers in the company. This as the strike at SASM entered a third week, in respect of which Numsa had resolved to appeal to the IDC as a major funder of the company. “We are still waiting for a response from the IDC,” reported Numsa regional secretary Kabelo Ramokhathali on Tuesday upon the expiry of the five business day ultimatum the union had given. Numsa has demanded that the IDC review its funding to SASM and stop any plans for further funding with immediate effect until SASM implements various court orders and reinstates all the dismissed workers. The union has also demanded that SASM must adhere to the Metal and Engineering Industries Bargaining Council (MEIBC) and pay workers the minimum rate in the engineering industry. SASM previously indicated that it remained open to consulting with all stakeholders but, in the interests of continuity of production and the protection of its employees, would not abide with the actions taken by Numsa and its members in the name of the strike. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Banele Ginindza at Business Report Industrial action at SA Taxi action put on ice to allow for independent facilitation Business Report writes that Transaction Capital has avoided R20 million a day losses after it a successful intervention on a second day of industrial action at its troubled subsidiary SA Taxi Finance in a labour dispute over recognition with the Kungwini Amalgamated Workers Union (Kawu). The all-day engagement on Tuesday resulted in the recall of workers who had embarked on a strike after SA Taxi Finance had resorted to not engaging with the union to resolve wage discussions and strenuous work conditions. Kawu’s Khumbulani Moyo reported that it had been agreed that “an independent facilitator will be appointed to try and resolve the impasse between the parties.” The details of the independent facilitator sponsored by the company will be shared with the union by the end of Wednesday. According to Moyo, if mediation efforts fail, “the parties will reserve their rights in line with the current ongoing protected strike”. Transaction Capital, through its communications firm, confirmed that it would engage with the union. The first day of strike action on 3 June resulted in losses of more than R20m. “The strike was stayed then to allow SA Taxi to engage with the union but the efforts failed, resulting in the CCMA issuing a strike certificate,” Transaction Capital reported. The strike, stayed again on Tuesday, resulted in the closure of SA Taxi hubs in Midrand and Vereeniging responsible for the sale, insurance, and parts distribution of the taxi passenger vehicle market in southern Africa. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Banele Ginindza at Business Report (scroll down)
Up to 400 job losses loom as major newspapers at Media24 face closure The Citizen reports that in a bombshell announcement on Tuesday, Ishmet Davidson, CEO of Media24, announced that a proposed restructuring of the company could lead to the loss of at least 400 jobs. He further announced that the company’s community newspaper portfolio had been sold to Novus Holdings, subject to regulatory approvals. An estimated 400 more positions will be transferred to Novus Holdings. With only a small print media portfolio remaining, Media24 also decided to divest of its media logistics business, On the Dot. While the print editions of Beeld, Rapport, City Press, Daily Sun and Soccer Laduma will be closed, the digital (PDF) editions of Volksblad and Die Burger Oos-Kaap, and the digital hub SNL24 will also be shut down. Rapport and City Press will be hosted as digital brands. The consultation process with staff members is expected to be completed over the next three months, with 30 September earmarked as the last day of publication for the affected newspapers. Davidson said that their print titles in the northern region had been on life support for a while. “Combined losses are projected to mount to R200 million over the next three years. After years of cutbacks, we’ve reached the end of cost reductions to try save these print operations. We’ve simply run out of options,” he indicated. The remaining viable brands will move fully to digital. CEO of Solidariteit Dirk Herman said in reaction: “It affects our community, but it also affects our members. Solidary will consult with the company. They are obligated to consult with us, and we will protect our members. However, we also want to protect our community. This company historically has a special relationship with the Afrikaans community.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Carien Grobler at The Citizen. Read too, 400 jobs at risk as Media24 considers newspaper closures, at BusinessLive. And also, AfriForum concerned over closure of Media24’s Afrikaans titles amid closure and sale of titles, at The Star Numsa slams Mercedes-Benz for plan to axe more than 700 jobs BusinessLive reports that the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) has slammed the decision by Mercedes-Benz SA (MBSA) to possibly retrench more than 700 employees at its East London car factory. The German car company announced last week it would reduce production from three daily shifts to two due to declining global demand for its C-Class sedan. MBSA said it had started consultations with employees and unions and that the process, lasting up to 60 days, would include discussions to reduce manpower through early retirement, early severance and natural attrition. Joint CEO Andreas Brand said the company would also talk to components suppliers about the effect on their business operations and staff. In response, Numsa said it was dismayed by the retrenchment notice and added the following: “The Eastern Cape, where most MBSA workers are based, will be hardest hit because of high levels of poverty and unemployment. It is unlikely workers will find alternative employment if MBSA implements the proposed retrenchments.” Numsa general secretary Irvin Jim added: “We will wait for the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration to issue dates for the first meeting so we can consult with the employer. Numsa will do everything possible to provide alternatives, with the hope we can prevent job losses.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard at BusinessLive
AA forecasts further drop in fuel prices in July BusinessLive reports that according to the Automobile Association (AA), motorists can expect more fuel price decreases in July. Unaudited mid-month fuel data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) indicates that unleaded (ULP) 93 petrol will show the biggest decrease when fuel prices are adjusted on 3 July. But the AA says this may change before the official monthly adjustment by the Department of Mineral Resources & Energy at the end of the month. Based on current data, ULP95 is showing a decrease of about R1.10c/l, while ULP93 is indicating a decrease of about R1.15c/l. Diesel is edging towards a decrease of 55c/l and illuminating paraffin a drop of about 45c/l. “The trajectory indicates that all fuels will be cheaper in July,” the AA noted. But, the decreases will not result in the prices of fuel dropping to levels seen at the beginning of the year. At the beginning of June the prices of all grades of fuel decreased significantly, with the retail price of 93 and 95 unleaded down by R1.24/l. The wholesale price of high-sulphur 0.05% diesel dropped by R1.18/l, with low-sulphur 0.005% reducing by R1.09/l. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at BusinessLive. Lees ook, Nóg verligting by brandstofpompe verwag, by Maroela Media
Witnesses in sexual harassment, cash-for-jobs probe support suspended KZN regional court president News24 reports that a disciplinary inquiry against suspended KwaZulu-Natal Regional Court president Eric Nzimande appears to be working in his favour as witnesses called by the Magistrates Commission backed his version in their testimony. Nzimande has been suspended on full pay since October 2018. The inquiry against Nzimande, 63, chaired by retired Supreme Court of Appeal Judge Jeremiah Shongwe, is being spearheaded by the Magistrates Commission following an array of allegations against him. The list of complaints against Nzimande includes gambling during office hours, sexual harassment, overlooking a magistrate who gave lenient sentences to rapists, selling judicial positions, and sending a picture of his penis to an acting magistrate whom he had recommended for a position. It is alleged that he pocketed gratifications amounting R238,260 from attorneys whom he recommended for acting magistrate positions between 2012 and 2015. Earlier this year, Nzimande pleaded not guilty to 162 charges against him. Last week, the commission heard from three of the implicated legal professionals, who had to be subpoenaed to appear before the inquiry in the Point Magistrate's Court in Durban. The witnesses refuted allegations of impropriety on the part of Nzimande under oath. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nkosikhona Duma at News24 Safa sets date for technical director Walter Steenbok’s disciplinary hearing BusinessLive reports that SA Football Association (Safa) technical director Walter Steenbok has been called to a disciplinary hearing in Sandton on 25 June on allegations of gross misconduct. Steenbok is charged with breaching Safa’s statutes, internal policies and procedures. The charges include gross misconduct, gross mismanagement, gross negligence, gross dereliction of duties, gross insubordination and gross insolence. Steenbok will be asked to state his case regarding allegations of a hostile relationship with Safa’s head of women’s football, Romaney Pinnock, and allegations of insulting national executive committee (NEC) member David Molwantwa. Pinnock was allegedly manhandled out of Safa House on Steenbok’s instructions in January. Molwantwa apparently complained of the short notice given for a technical committee meeting in February, saying he would disregard the notification until “proper processes” were followed. Safa alleges Steenbok “recorded Molwantwa could not wait to display his character and hatred towards you; is not your friend and therefore he must respect you; was displaying his ‘low class’ in public; illustrated conduct that was stupid and disrespectful and ought to cease behaving like a ‘loose cannon’”. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mahlatse Mphahlele & Marc Strydom at BusinessLive
Vodacom fired 631 workers over past financial year for fraud or irregularities BusinessLive reports that Vodacom dismissed 631 workers and contractors for fraud in the year to end-March after the mobile communications group investigated more than 8,000 cases. “From April 1 2023 to March 31 2024 the group’s corporate security divisions investigated over 8,652 cases of alleged fraud or irregularities, of which 6,872 related to external cases and 1,780 to internal cases. The end result ensured the arrest of 15 suspects and the dismissal of 631 staff/contractors,” the group advised in its annual report issued on Friday. The cases were reported and identified through various channels, including direct reports received from customers, service providers, online reports, referrals from business, the fraud management system and external whistle-blowing. The group said that to promote ethical conduct throughout the group it has had a formal ethics management programme in place since 2006. The group said its antibribery and anticorruption programme required all employees, suppliers, contractors, and strategic and business partners to abide by anticorruption laws in conducting business on behalf of Vodacom. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Kabelo Khumalo at BusinessLive. Read too, Fifteen Vodacom workers arrested, over 630 axed over fraud and irregularities, at Fin24 Former employee at Humansdorp vet clinic who pocketed over R4.8 million jailed IOL News reports that a former employee at a veterinary clinic in the Eastern Cape has been sentenced to direct imprisonment in the Gqeberha Specialised Commercial Crimes Court for theft. Lana Nell, 46, was arrested by the Hawks in June 2023 and charged with fraud, alternatively theft. Hawks spokesperson Captain Yolisa Mgolodela advised: “During the period between January 2018 and February 2023, Nell as an employee of the Veterinary Clinic in Humansdorp, working in the financial department, embezzled an exorbitant amount of cash from the employer. The theft was suspected when one of the suppliers complained about late payment.” An investigation confirmed that Nell misappropriated cash to the value of more than R4.8 million that was transferred to her personal account over a period of five years. She was found guilty on 7 March. The court subsequently sentenced Nell to 15 years direct imprisonment, with no option of a fine. 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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