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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Disgruntled employee who was dismissed shoots manager four times at Limpopo safari lodge, turns gun on himself News24 reports that the manager of the five-star Tintswalo Safari Lodge in Limpopo was wounded after being shot four times by a disgruntled employee at the weekend. Emily Leuner, 38, was shot by the staff member who was dismissed following a disciplinary hearing, Tintswalo Collection, the group that owns the lodge, advised. "The perpetrator returned to the lodge and shot her four times in the upper body and legs, before taking his own life," it reported. Leuner was airlifted from Hoedspruit to Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg, where she is currently in the ICU. "Emily is stable and conscious, but has sustained serious spinal and lung injuries, which will require extensive treatment and rehabilitation," the company indicated. An attempted murder case is being investigated. The lodge is set in the Manyeleti Nature Reserve near the greater Kruger area in Hoedspruit. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Iavan Pijoos at News24 Death toll in KZN veld fire last Sunday rises to seven TimesLIVE reports that the death toll following a veld fire near Pietermaritzburg last Sunday has risen to seven. Several employees of Farmusa, an agricultural company contracted to Sappi Forestry, were deployed with several other people when veld fires fanned by strong wind got out of control and threatened to engulf farm homes. Three people were burnt to death in the fire on Stirling Farm near Mpophomeni. Three others who were badly burnt died later in hospital. Richard Dlamini, who had been in a critical condition, died on Friday. Dlamini's death came amid claims that the dead employees buried at the weekend were ill-equipped or didn't have the proper training to fight the fire. Sappi KwaZulu-Natal GM Mark Bernardo advised that all forestry personnel, including contractors, underwent basic firefighting training and regular refresher training. He indicated: “Firefighters receive specialised training in various areas, such as basic firefighting, proto-team training, defensive driving and health and safety protocols.” The firefighters wear essential protective clothing including balaclavas, firefighting helmets, goggles, flame retardant overalls, cotton T-shirts, leather boots, gloves and carry water containers. Each member also carries burn shield sachets for emergency use. Foresters are equipped with 400l “bakkie-sakkies” (vehicles equipped with fire fighting equipment). Sappi forests has developed a comprehensive fire management programme for each of its six major forestry management units across all its districts. The programme is regularly updated before and after the fire season, which is usually between May and October. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mfundo Mkhize at TimesLIVE Eskom celebrates 40 years of safe operations at Koeberg nuclear power station EWN reports that Eskom on Monday commemorated the fortieth year of safe operations at Koeberg nuclear power station. The celebration came after Koeberg Unit 1 was granted approval to operate for an additional 20 years, until 2044. Koeberg now joins 120 reactors worldwide that have safely continued operations beyond their initial 40-year life. Eskom board chairperson Mteto Nyati said that Koeberg's 40 years of safe operation was a significant milestone and that the commemoration was also a celebration of good leadership and excellence. "If you were to look at how we are operating this entity, we are always benchmarked with operating along with the best in the world and we always operate at the top of performance," he pointed out. Nyati lauded Eskom's leadership for instilling continued discipline and having the vision to ensure the power plant could operate well into the future. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Carlo Petersen at EWN Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Uasa signs one-year agreement for 7% wage increase in sugar sector Engineering News reports that trade union Uasa has signed a one-year wage agreement with the Sugar Manufacturing and Refining Employers Association (Samrea) on behalf of its members in the sugar sector. The agreement, which is effective from 1 April this year to 31 March 2025, follows an extensive three-month negotiating period, as well as a deadlock in June. Uasa and Samrea ultimately agreed to a 7% wage increase for all employees, as well as a shift allowance increase of 11.5%. Employers will also be increasing employees’ medical aid contributions to 60%, with employees paying the balance. The agreement covers all employees in the bargaining unit A2-C3 of Samrea. Uasa commented that collective bargaining had once again prevailed. The sector directly employs about 85,000 people. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Engineering News
Solidarity concludes five-year wage agreement with Assmang Mining Weekly reports that after three months of negotiations, trade union Solidarity has reached a five-year wage agreement for its members employed by Assmang. The agreement was concluded in collaboration with the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM). Employees will receive a 6% wage increase in year one, followed by increases of 5.7% for each of the four subsequent years. However, employees will receive a consumer price index- (CPI-) related increase should CPI be higher than any of the aforementioned increases. Employees will also receive a one-off payment of R12,000, while the underground allowance will be increased to R840. “A further outcome of the negotiations is that the trade unions and the company will continue to consult with each other about an improved housing scheme that will benefit employees,” Solidarity general secretary Gideon du Plessis reported. He went on to comment: “What we are dealing with here are two mining trade unions, Solidarity and the NUM, which have jointly negotiated under the banner of a formal alliance. This, in itself, is a victory for trade union unity and, ultimately, for every employee.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Mining Weekly Amplats shuts Mortimer smelter as 3,700 jobs are lost in six months to end of June Miningmx reports that Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) said on Monday it had cut R4.9bn in costs for the six months ended June affecting 3,700 jobs and had shut its Mortimer smelter. This was in terms of a plan unveiled last year to slash R10bn from annual operating and capital costs. The company said about 75% of affected employees had left the company. About 60% of the review had been completed. However, Mortimer may be re-engineered at a capital cost of about R1bn so it can treat stockpiles of slag at Waterval. Amplats CEO Craig Miller declined to detail the potential production benefit, but said: “There are significant volumes in PGMs but also the tailings are quite high in base metals content. You will start to see refined ounces coming out in 2026 and 2027.” Amplats has targeted cash operating unit costs of R16,500 to R17,500 per PGM ounce as a result of the restructuring but a year-on-year decline in second quarter production resulted in R18,280 per PGM oz in unit costs for the six months. Despite this Miller said his company “remained on track” to hit its production and cost targets as he expected an improvement in the second half. The benefits of the restructuring would also start to kick in, he opined. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by David McKay at Miningmx
Private sector must ‘take the responsibility’ of creating opportunities for jobless South Africans, says Ramaphosa TimesLIVE reports that President Cyril Ramaphosa says the private sector “needs to take on the responsibility of opening up opportunities for unemployed South Africans”. He was responding to Friday's opening of parliament debate on Monday. Ramaphosa has promised that the government of national unity (GNU) will prioritise inclusive economic growth and job creation, amid high unemployment and millions living in extreme poverty. The latest stats indicate that the official unemployment rate stands at 32.9%. As a result of millions remaining in poverty, in 2020 the government introduced a social relief of distress grant benefiting 10-million people. Pension and child support grants benefit 18-million elderly recipients and children. Parties in the GNU have vowed to tackle poverty and unemployment. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Bulelani Nonyukela at TimesLIVE Other internet posting(s) in this news category
GNU’s VAT exemption proposal for additional essential food items receives mixed views SABC News reports that the National Government of Unity’s (GNU)’s proposed plan to expand the basket of essential food items exempt from VAT has attracted mixed views. The recent announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa is aimed at alleviating the high cost of living of struggling consumers. Some analysts have lauded the move as a pro-poor policy position, while others have criticised the government for assuming what was in the best interest of the poor. The proposed expansion of zero-rated items in the basket of goods would require an amendment to the tax bill to increase the twenty-one items already in the basket. Social Policy Initiative’s Isobel Frye said the government should not rush to implement this policy and should add the issue as an agenda item to the government’s planned social dialogue. She pointed out that each household’s budget was different with different priorities. Charles de Wet of ENS Africa noted that there was scope to revise the items in the basket of goods for VAT exemption, but it was not the best tax policy as it would also benefit middle and high-income earners, while it was necessary instead to alleviate the cost burden on poor households. He also noted: “The difficulty is always to try and work out the most appropriate basket of products that should qualify for it. The list that we have is quite an old list developed in the 1980s, for example, it doesn’t have any meat on it, and you wonder in a country like South Africa whether something like chicken shouldn’t be on that list given the consumption of chicken and other challenges associated with that.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Naledi Ngcobo at SABC News
Telkom cuts staff, rewards top management and continues with its ‘value unlock’ strategy Business Report writes that by the end of Telkom’s financial year to 31 March, the company’s permanent staff had shrunk by 15%, its six prescribed officers had been paid 51% more, and the group’s financial performance was still far from optimal. This was indicated in the group’s annual report released on Friday, in which chairman Mvuleni Qhena said their operational and financial performance had significantly improved over the year, but was “far from where it should be.” Revenue increased 1.6% to R43.23 billion, despite tough trading conditions. Employee costs fell 4% to R7.89bn due to a 15% reduction in headcount to 9,877 employees, from 11,624 in 2023, no salary increases for management and the 5% average salary increase for bargaining unit employees, only effected in the third quarter. The workforce fell due to the “workforce optimisation process” in the 2023 financial year, and some R1bn of fixed cost savings arose from this. The remuneration report showed the six prescribed officers’ total remuneration increased 51% to R47.79m from R31.58m. CEO Serame Taukobong’s remuneration increased 9.8% to R12.43m, with the guaranteed pay unchanged in 2024, and inclusion of a short term incentive amount versus no short term incentive paid out in 2023. Taukobong said they were delivering on strategy by exploring all options to unlock value. This strategy was premised on the board’s view that Telkom’s market capitalisation did not represent the intrinsic value of its underlying assets. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Edward West at Business Report Inside Telkom’s efforts to attract and retain high-calibre professional staff BusinessLive reports that Telkom has identified the inability to attract and retain skills as one of the major risks facing the business, but is confident that the measures it has put in place are bearing fruit. In its annual report published on Friday, the group said the evolving world of work “requires talent that can provide a sustainable competitive advantage. Failure in this regard could result in loss of competitive advantage, increased employee costs and delays in achieving the group’s strategy. This risk remains material due to the uncertainty associated with Telkom’s performance compared to competitors, restructuring and shortage of scarce skills, [for example in] AI, data science and other skills.” Telkom said it continued to implement measures to reduce the impact of this risk, including “learning programmes, future skills development, OneTelkom culture and associated values, and maintaining a hybrid work approach.” The company is simplifying its recruitment processes, with the intention of enhancing the candidate experience. “We will also focus on strategic marketing of our employee value proposition. Highlighting the unique environment, benefits and opportunities we offer, and effectively communicating our organisational culture and career growth prospects, will help attract top-tier candidates aligned with our vision and values. Finally, we plan to increase the number of quality hires by reintroducing an employee referral scheme. This will enhance employee engagement,” Telkom said. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Kabelo Khumalo at BusinessLive
Workers union Misa engages with AutoZone’s business rescuers to ensure protection of its members Business Report writes that the Motor Industry Staff Association (Misa) has assigned its legal department to engage with the business rescue practitioners (BRPs) of AutoZone Holdings to ensure the protection of its 317 members, and their continued payment. This after the Johannesburg High Court last week granted an order for Absa to seize AutoZone’s movable assets over its debt burden. AutoZone owes Absa R302m, which accumulated during a series of financial agreements and defaults. Misa said on Monday that although AutoZone did not inform it prior to filing its notice beginning business rescue proceedings, it was on high alert and would participate in the process to protect the interest of its members and keep them informed of any developments. Martlé Keyter, Misa’s operations CEO, said that the union appreciated AutoZone taking the initiative to protect and secure the business to avoid job losses, while giving the assurance that in accordance with the business rescue proceedings outlined in the Companies Act, Misa’s members would continue to receive their salaries and any other payments they were entitled to. She advised further: “One of the union’s senior labour advisers has been assigned to engage with the business rescue practitioners. Misa is positive that no stone will be left unturned to attract potential investors. AutoZone is an established brand name.” In a meeting with creditors this month, the designated BRPs, Piers Marsden and Jenna Osborne, indicated that there was a reasonable prospect of rescuing AutoZone. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Banele Ginindza at Business Report
ActionSA urges Police Minister Mchunu to embrace trained reservists in police force expansion IOL News reports that following Police Minister Senzo Mchunu’s commitment to enhance police capacity by expanding the workforce to bolster the fight against crime, ActionSA has called on him to ensure that the thousands of sidelined police reservists are fully integrated into the SAPS crime-fighting efforts. According to MP Dereleen James, the focus on expanding the workforce revolves around hiring 10,000 police trainees in the 2024/2025 financial year. But while this expansion was crucial, the minister overlooked any plans in his department’s budget vote to incorporate the thousands of experienced and committed reservists who are already diligently serving in their police stations and their communities. Moreover, James said police reservists, many with service numbers, have answered the call of duty to assist in the fight against crime. However, their valuable contributions have been undercut for years, leading to a decline in the number of police reservists by tens of thousands over the past decade due to the collapse of the reservist programme. James pointed out that these reservists were also severely prejudiced by having Persal numbers that implied that they were employees of the State, which precluded them from any social assistance and housing, despite the fact that they did not get paid a salary as reservists but only received stipends upon official call-ups. It was now incumbent of minister Mchunu to break from the disastrous tenure of his predecessor, which led to the collapse of the reservist programme, said James. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Hope Ntanzi at IOL News
Construction company WBHO ordered to reinstate 30 workers dismissed in 2017 for alleged striking unlawfully Sunday Independent reports that WBHO, one of the largest construction companies in SA, has been ordered to reinstate the workers who were fired for allegedly participating in an unlawful strike in 2017. The Labour Appeal Court (LAC) ruled that the dismissals were unfair and that the company should reinstate the workers. About 30 permanent employees were fired allegedly for participating in an unlawful strike on 17 July 2017. This was after the workers on limited-duration contracts embarked on a protest, and demanded project bonuses that were paid to the permanent employees. Workers were prevented from tendering their service at the gate during the strike. The 30 workers said they could not heed the call to return to work as they were intimidated. The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) was the first applicant in the case, while the former employees were further applicants. The ruling came after the workers challenged a ruling of the Labour Court (LC), which had been in favour of WBHO. The workers argued that the LC erred in making a finding that they participated in the strike action despite the evidence from the strike diary of Amcu, which supported the contention that they were intimidated by the striking employees. The employees argued that the strike diary evidence was undisputed and never challenged, adding that the contents were never placed in dispute. Amcu pointed out that the strike diary was crucial because it recorded that the bulk of employees stayed away as they were intimidated. According to the union, the information in the strike diary exonerated the employees from any participation. The LAC said the dismissals of the 30 employees were automatically unfair and ordered WBHO to reinstate the individual workers on terms and conditions of employment not less favourable than what had governed them when they were dismissed in 2017. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Manyane Manyane at Sunday Independent
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