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 and recent reports,
see summaries of our selection of South African
labour-related stories that recently appeared.
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Ramaphosa announces expanded GNU cabinet to accommodate all parties in unity government BL Premium at President Cyril Ramaphosa added two ministries to his cabinet, announcing 33 ministers late on Sunday, as he unveiled a new coalition cabinet that includes members from parties in the government of national unity (GNU). Ramaphosa, who had previously vowed to trim the number of executive positions, said the expanded cabinet for the seventh administration was to ensure that all members of the GNU are included and to separate portfolios to “ensure that there is sufficient focus on key issues”. The DA has six ministers and six deputy minsters, including the important home affairs and communications ministries, with Leon Schriber and Solly Malatsi appointed as ministers in those portfolios, respectively. The DA had targeted key infrastructure ministries with macroeconomic impact, such as transport and the trade & industry ministry. These, however, have been retained by the ANC. Former Johannesburg mayor Parks Tau is the new trade & industry minister alongside two deputy ministers — the ANC’s Zuko Godlimpi and the DA’s Andrew Whitfield. The DA’s leader, John Steenhuisen, takes charge of the agriculture portfolio, which has been split from land and is now a stand-alone department. Ramaphosa appointed the ANC’s Nomakhosazana Meth as minister of employment and labour, with Jomo Sibiya (ANC) and Phumzile Mgcina (ANC) as deputy ministers. The DA’s former chief whip, Siviwe Gwarube, has been appointed as basic education minister, but the move could anger the ANC-aligned Cosatu and is also set to anger teacher union Sadtu Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Thando Maeko at BusinessLive (subscriber access only). The full list of South Africa’s GNU cabinet is at Moneyweb. Lees ook, RNE: Só lyk die nuwe cabinet, by Maroela Media Sadtu rejects basic education ministry going to ‘class enemy’ Democratic Alliance The Citizen reports that the SA Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) has rejected the potential hand over of the Department of Basic Education (DBE) to the Democratic Alliance (DA). Sadtu recently concluded its national executive committee (NEC) meeting, where it was resolved to reject the DA’s wish to take over the DBE ministry. “The NEC expressed disgust at the DA’s unreasonable demands for ministerial posts and accused it of applying double standards by demanding to appoint director-generals while speaking ill of cadre deployment,” the union commented in a statement. Sadtu, which is the biggest teacher union in the country, described the DA as having no interest in issues of redress and putting forward the interests of black South Africans within education. According to the union, the DA had declared itself a “class enemy” of the union through comments made in the media that Sadtu was too strong and had to be dealt with. “The DA demanding Basic Education ministry has nothing to do with a commitment to the nation to ensure quality and equitable education but to destroy the organisation of teachers and their communities,” the union said. It went on to indicate: “The NEC resolved to fight this racist DA with everything our union has. The NEC resolved to be the vanguard of education as a potent force to empower the masses to restore the dignity of our nation, in particular, the African people. The union will mobilise the masses to unmask the stereotypes that the DA employs to justify the entrenchment of colonial education system where the poor and working class must accept inferior status.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Itumeleng Mafisa at The Citizen ‘We’ll make SA ungovernable’, warns Numsa’s Irvin Jim over ‘DA cabinet’ The Citizen reports that Irvin Jim, general secretary of the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa), has warned the ANC about including the Democratic Alliance (DA) in cabinet and has threatened to make the “country ungovernable”. After securing just over 40% of the total vote in May’s general elections, the ANC teamed up with the DA and other political parties to form a Government of National Unity (GNU). After electing President Cyril Ramaphosa for a second term, the coalition has been thrashing out his executive, or cabinet. While the GNU has been welcomed by many, several organisations have criticised a political marriage between the ANC and DA. Jim was among those who have slammed the coalition. He fired a warning on Saturday and said: “We secured hollow political victory in 1994 without economic freedom. If the ANC thinks it’s going to insult us with its DA right cabinet we will make this country ungovernable. As we were advised by Nelson Mandela, we will do to the ANC and DA what we did to the National Party!” In a letter to ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula on Saturday, EFF secretary-general Marshall Dlamini proposed a coalition between the parties. Dlamini said the EFF was willing to work with the ANC if it excluded the DA and Freedom Front Plus. The proposal found favour with Jim, who said it was supported by Numsa. He indicated: “There is absolute no need for the ANC to form a government with right-wing capitalist political parties that are anti-worker and union-bashing … The ANC should form a government with EFF, MK Party and the UDM. Lock out the DA of Helen Zille and the Freedom Front Plus.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Kyle Zeeman at The Citizen Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Public servants are drowning in debt, say unions Independent on Saturday writes that government workers are drowning in debt, making them more susceptible to poor work performance and financial misconduct. Last week the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru), the SA Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) and the Public Servants Association (PSA) warned that their members were struggling to make ends meet despite a 4.7% increase earlier this year. They said the situation was so bad that many public servants had to sell their cars and homes to service their debts. In some instances, they have resigned from their jobs to access money from their pension funds. On Friday Popcru, which represents 160,000 police, traffic and correctional service officers, said the situation had affected its members’ morale, making them vulnerable to wrongdoing. Popcru spokesperson Richard Mamabolo said they would never condone unethical behaviour, but anything could happen when someone was desperate. Reuben Maleka from the PSA, which represents 245,000 workers across government, commented: “The majority of public servants are in a dire situation. There was a survey that shows 85% of public servants’ monthly salary is consumed by having to pay all the debt, so the disposable income left for anything else is around 15%. Some are even asking how they can resign just to ensure that they can recover something through their pension to protect (against) repossession of their assets such as houses and cars.” Nomusa Cembi from Sadtu said many public servants, whose salaries had to stretch to accommodate families and extended families, were not happy with the wage increase unions settled on last year. “We had to take it because when we surveyed our members they said they did not have an appetite to go on strike because if they did, there is no work, no pay,” she pointed out. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Wendy Jasson Da Costa at IOL News
Eastern Cape policeman shot and killed in Tlokoeng, formerly Mount Fletcher, on Thursday AlgoaFM reports that Eastern Cape police have launched a manhunt for five suspects who shot and killed a police Constable in Tlokoeng, formerly Mount Fletcher. Spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa said two police constables were on duty when they were ambushed by the men in a Corsa bakkie on Thursday. The suspects jumped out of the vehicle and shot at the police officials, injuring one in the upper body. They then went to a nearby tavern and robbed the owner of his firearm, an undisclosed amount of cash and liquor before hijacking a VW Polo Vivo which they used as a getaway vehicle. The Polo was later found outside KwaBhaca, formerly Mount Frere. The wounded constable was taken to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The other police constable, the owner of the liquor store and the driver of the hijacked vehicle were unharmed. Read the original of the short report in the above regard at AlgoaFM. Lees ook, Polisiekonstabel voor rooftog doodgeskiet, by Maroela Media Intercape bus goes up in flames in Cape Town on Friday afternoon News24 reports that an Intercape long-distance bus went up in flames near the Cape Town train station on Friday afternoon. Thick black smoke could be seen in the air as commuters stood in disbelief during the incident. Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson for the City of Cape Town's fire service department, said teams were alerted that a bus had caught fire near the station just after 15:00. The bus company indicated: "We can confirm that one of our buses caught fire after arriving at Cape Town station from Pretoria. This happened after all passengers had disembarked. The cause is unknown and the incident will be thoroughly investigated. No injuries were sustained." Two passengers, Hluphi Thabethe and Duduzile Radebe, remarked: "We didn't experience any problems, but I heard the driver on a call at Park Station, in Joburg, saying he was not comfortable driving the bus cause it had issues with the lights. And now we see the flames from the bus." She said something fell from under the bus, next to the tyres, and "then the tyres caught fire, and the bus caught fire". Some passengers could not take their bags from the trailer. Radebe said: “The bus had about 20 people. We are devastated because the fire happened so fast and this was less than five minutes after we got off.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lisalee Solomons, Mothushi Thoka & Chelsea Ogilvie at News24 Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Grindrod Logistics workers strike over retrenchments Mail & Guardian reports that the SA Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) has thrown its weight behind the strike of workers of Grindrod Logistics over retrenchments and the trend among companies to use casual labour as well as brokers. The strike commenced just days after Transnet National Ports Authority announced that Grindrod Logistics’ holding company, Grindrod SA had won the bid to develop a R285m container terminal at the Port of Richards Bay. Saftu’s Trevor Shaku said last week that the federation “stands firmly” behind its affiliate, the Tirisano Transport and Services Workers Union (Taswu), which on 21 June downed tools in protest against retrenchments and dismissals affecting more than 85 truck drivers. The decision to retrench workers and make them casual labour was motivated by “the profiteering motive, not because the business is struggling. Retrenchments are mostly considered when companies want to maximise their profits, and casualisation is the instrument that companies use to retain the quantity of labour without having to pay the requisite amount for that labour,” Shaku asserted. Taswu’s Mxolisi Hlengwa said the company had begun the cycle of retrenching workers “while introducing multiple sub-contractors also making labour brokers fashionable. This is a clear indication that the company wants to get rid of permanent staff.” According to the union, Grindrod had retrenched workers, only to later employ them through labour brokers. Hlengwa said Grindrod had claimed that it was not making profit, but had reported a 16% rise in profit in the 2023 financial year. He lamented that the retrenchments placed a strain on the affected employees and their families. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lyse Comins at Mail & Guardian Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Third security guard gunned down since April at gold mine near Randfontein News24 reports that the body of a security guard was found at a gold mine near Randfontein, west of Johannesburg, on Thursday morning. Anele Sotshisa, 46, who was on the night shift with two colleagues, was killed when gunmen opened fire on them on Wednesday night. Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo said the surviving security guards had scattered in different directions and had not immediately realised that their colleague had been shot. "According to reports, the guards remained separated for most of the evening after they ran to safety. It was only when the two returned to their post in the morning that they discovered that their colleague had been shot," Masondo indicated. He confirmed that Sotshisa was the third security guard to be killed at the mine since April. He added: “In all the incidents, security guards were shot at while standing guard. The motive for the shooting cannot be confirmed at this stage, and no arrests have been made yet.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Noxolo Sibiya at News24 Liberty Coal to finalise process for return of retrenched Optimum workers within next two months Sunday World reports that after extending the deadline for the process to re-employ mineworkers who were laid off when the former Gupta-owned Optimum Coal Mine (OCM) in Mpumalanga went into business rescue, new mine owners Liberty Coal (LC) have committed that the process to bring as many people back on board should be finalised in the next two months. The efforts to re-employ the workers are in accordance with OCM’S business rescue plan, adopted by 88% of its creditors in September 2020. The initial submission window opened at the beginning of May 2024 and closed on 31 May, but LC then granted an extension at the beginning of June by 30 more days out of concern it may not have reached everyone in time. “Liberty Coal is now in the process of verifying all information received and will, in due course, contact all eligible employees to advise them of the next steps. Over the next two months, Liberty will continue to engage all former employees of OCM,” the company advised. It warned, however, that the process would require time and patience due to factors beyond its control. “It is important to emphasise that workers and contractors who Optimum did not directly employ in April 2019 do not fall within this category of ex-employees,” LC indicated. After the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the company negotiated an R462-million forfeiture settlement over mining rights at the OCM in Mpumalanga in February, LC pledged to save more than 500 jobs. Under the settlement deal, signed into a court order, Daniel Mcgowan, whose Templar Capital controls LC, gained ownership of OCM and its important export arm, the Optimum Coal Terminal. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Setumo Stone on page 13 of Sunday World of 30 June 2024 Other labour / community posting(s) relating to mining
Panyaza meets with Gauteng heads of departments over EPWP ‘green army’ employment termination debacle TimesLIVE reports that Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi convened a late-night meeting last Thursday with directors-general and heads of departments (HODs) in the wake of confusion over employment contracts in respect of his jobs-drive initiative. This followed a clash in communication from the provincial government about the employment of thousands of expanded public works programme (EPWP) ‘green army’ workers. On Wednesday Lesufi had shared a photo of a letter, signed under the name of acting head of the agriculture, rural development and environment department in Gauteng Khulekani Mase, informing EPWP employees their contracts were ending. He, however, said the workers remained employed and that he would iron matters out with HODs. Lesufi was adamant he had a plan for workers whose contracts had expired. The “green army” was launched last May under the EPWP and focused on waste management and food security in Gauteng as part of Lesufi's jobs drive. It employed more than 6,000 people. Confusion and panic arose as people believed other workers would be affected, with concern being expressed about the future of the Nasi iSpani programme, which offers internship opportunities across a wide range of fields. Provincial government spokesperson Sizwe Palma dismissed speculation that the employment initiative was coming to an end. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Modiegi Mashamaite at TimesLIVE
Comrades Marathon Association shows Ann Ashworth, winner of the race in 2028, the door TimesLIVE reports that Ann Ashworth, race and operations manager at the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA), posted on her Instagram account on Wednesday evening that she had been fired by the board. “My time at the CMA has come to an end. The board feels that I lack the necessary leadership and race management abilities to continue to serve,” said Ashworth, who was appointed last year after race director Rowyn James left. Ashworth, winner of the race in 2018, wrote that she offered to resign on “at least three occasions”, but her offers were not accepted. During her term the race paid out record prize money to winning athletes and was also praised for altering cut-off times. But there were also criticisms, from traffic congestion getting to the finish line in Pietermaritzburg to the shortage of goody bags at registration. “Given recent events this decision has not come as a surprise. For weeks now there have been rumblings among the naysayers that ‘the board would be dealing with me’”, Ashworth posted. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at TimesLIVE. Lees ook, ‘Comrades-raad boelie and breek my’, by Netwerk24 (toegang slegs vir intekenare) Comrades Marathon Board member suspended over alleged ‘vanillagate’ racist message SABC News reports that the Board of the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) has suspended a member who faces allegations of posting a racist message in a WhatsApp group. The decision followed a special meeting the Board held on Friday. Earlier last week, Ann Ashworth, the CMA’s race and operations manager and 2018 winner of the Comrades announced that she had been fired by the Board. Ashworth was appointed in the position last November. In a statement, CMA Chairperson Mqondisi Ngcobo pointed out that the so-called ‘vanillagate’ saga, which involved the now-suspended Board member, had no bearing on Ashworth’s departure. Vanillagate is in reference to a post in a WhatsApp group by the suspended Board member accusing Ashworth of bringing in more “whites” to the CMA. Read the original of the short report in the above regard at SABC News
Joburg’s City Power nabs 15 suspects, including employees, for cable theft and vandalism The Star reports that while power outages continue to be a headache to hundreds of Johannesburg residents, municipal utility City Power attributes this challenge to theft and vandalism. This past weekend, City Power made a breakthrough with 15 arrests of suspected cable thieves, nine of whom were security officers contracted by the municipal utility. City Power CEO Tshifularo Mashava said the security officers were among some of the internal collaborators that City Power had been tracking. The suspects were nabbed between Friday and Saturday morning during a multi-pronged joint operation between the entity’s Security Risk Management and law enforcement agencies led by SAPS Essential Infrastructure Task Team. The first three suspects were caught at a scrap metal dealership in the Joburg CBD. Leads were followed up on and later in the evening three more men were arrested in the inner-city along the underground tunnels. In Reuven at City Power head offices, two security guards were handcuffed after cable that was found in their car ready to be taken out of the salvage yard. Seven other guards were also captured during the intelligence operation. “City Power finds the involvement of contracted security officers particularly worrying, because these are the people that have been entrusted with the duty of safeguarding our infrastructure,” said Mashava. City Power cautioned internal staff that the net was closing in on everyone who was involved in the destructive business of vandalism. “This warning goes to City Power employees and those contracted to do work on behalf of the entity. The entity will spare no attempt in making sure that everyone arrested, face the full might of the law,” Mashava warned. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ntombi Nkosi at The Star. Lees ook, City Power-werkers ook vas oor kabeldiefstal, by Maroela Media Other internet posting(s) in this news category
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