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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Samwu 'insulted' by 'paltry' 3.75% municipal wage hike offer by Salga TimesLIVE reports that the SA Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) says it is outraged by the latest wage offer for municipal employees made by the SA Local Government Association (Salga). The second round of the current salary and wage negotiations for the country’s 257 municipalities took place from 23 to 26 July in the SA Local Government Bargaining Council. Salga proposed a five-year wage agreement, which would be a first in the history of the country’s local government sector. Samwu said it was not opposed to a multi-year agreement, but it must come with significant incentives. The union said the “paltry” offer from Salga – increasing from a mere 3.3% to an “equally insulting” 3.75%, accompanied by a one-time ex gratia payment of R3,000 for workers earning below R22,000 – was laughable and showed a complete lack of respect for the financial struggles municipal workers faced. Samwu said despite repeated movements down by labour to the current 8% demand, Salga had not reciprocated appropriately. The union called on Salga in the third round of negotiations, scheduled for 12 to 16 August, to return with a revised offer “that truly benefitted municipal workers who are essential to service delivery.” Salary increases for municipal employees were due to be effected in July. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ernest Mabuza at TimesLIVE
Suicides of more than 300 since 2017 show cops need mental help, says Popcru The Citizen writes in an editorial that it is shocking that, since 2017, more than 300 police officers in SA have committed suicide – a rate which makes the country’s law enforcement service the worst in the world in that respect. The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) points out that although there are employee health and wellness programmes in operation in the SA Police Service (SAPS), these are largely reactive in nature, with experts only visiting officers in negative circumstances. “They never seem to conduct proactive visits to ensure that the members are coping with their work or personal lives,” according to the union. Policing as a career does expose officers to repeated trauma, both personal and as third parties, and there is also the constant pressure of fear. But, in addition to that, says Popcru, there is “stress caused by the lack of resources, staff shortages, unfair disciplinary issues and over-indebtedness, among others”. The Citizen agrees with the union that health and wellness should be made a regular and mandatory part of the training and assessment of officers – especially for those in high-stress deployments. “Apart from the human and compassionate reasons, the fact is that highly stressed and suicidal officers cannot hope to do their jobs properly.” Read the original of the editorial in the above regard at The Citizen Previous attempt made on life of teacher who was shot five times at KZN school and killed TimesLIVE reports that the family of the KwaZulu-Natal teacher who was murdered by gunmen in front of pupils and fellow teachers on Monday say there had been a previous attempt on her life. Dudu Khumalo, 46, a grade R teacher at Phikiswayo Primary in Ntuzuma, north of Durban, died after being shot five times as classes were about to start. Samke Khumalo, her first cousin, indicated in a social media post that the teacher had survived a previous shooting incident. “I do not think she ever thought this would happen to her three years after she survived a gunshot wound and lost her two brothers,” she said in a Facebook post. Khumalo also wrote about the consciences of the attackers, saying their cruel attack in front of minors showed a lack of humanity. “She ran out of her class. She was shot five times in front of her learners and colleagues. Who does that? Where is your conscience or Ubuntu bakho?” Khumalo asked. According to school principal Mthokozisi Mchunu, classes would resume on Tuesday and the department would provide psychological support to traumatised staff and pupils. The EFF and DA in the province urged provincial education MEC Sipho Hlomuka to ensure the safety of pupils and staff in government schools. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lwazi Hlangu at TimesLIVE. Read too, Government ‘never raised a finger’ to protect teachers, says Sadtu after KZN shooting, at The Citizen Disgruntled patient pours bucket of faeces onto health worker at Welkom clinic TimesLIVE reports that Free State Health MEC Monyatso Mahlatsi has condemned the attack on a health worker by a disgruntled patient at Thabong Clinic in Welkom on Friday. Provincial health department spokesperson Mondli Mvambi indicated that the patient reportedly went to a clinic in the early hours of Thursday and was not helped as speedily as he had wanted to be assisted. “The patient left on his own accord only to return the next day with a bucket full of faeces which he poured on the health worker and causing filth in the reception area,” Mvambi said. After the attack, the perpetrator bragged and posted about the incident on Facebook. “A case was opened with the police and the affected staff member was provided with counselling by the department,” Mvambi advised. Read the original of the short report in the above regard at TimesLIVE Nurses at Kariega clinic stop work after finding human waste at door GroundUp reports that Mabandla Clinic in Kariega was closed for the second day on Tuesday as nurses refused to work after finding human waste at the door and empty alcohol bottles strewn around the yard. The fencing around the clinic was stolen at the beginning of the year and despite promises, it has not been replaced by the provincial Department of Health (DOH). One of the nurses told patients who had gathered at the entrance: “We can’t work in this environment. There are faeces all over the back entrance since yesterday morning. There are empty bottles of alcohol in the yard.” The nurses locked the door and asked the patients to take up the issue with the DOH. After the fence was stolen, nurses stopped work at the busy clinic in January, citing security concerns. They returned to work when residents offered to act as guards on a rotational basis. The clinic serves about 500 patients daily. At the time, Eastern Cape DOH spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo indicated that replacing the fence was a top priority. Construction of a wall was started, but has not been completed. Bricks are still lying around the yard, which is used as a thoroughfare by people going from one street to another. There is no gate. Ward 45 Councillor Sabelo Mabuda indicated: “The Department of Health promised to put in a gate, and a construction company was introduced in January. However, the material was not delivered several times and the work has been sporadic. We were promised that the construction of the wall would be completed within four weeks … but it hasn’t (been).” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Thamsanqa Mbovane at GroundUp Other internet posting(s) in this news category
SANParks honours rangers on World Ranger Day on Wednesday The Citizen reports that a total of 148 rangers were killed worldwide the past year – 71 in Africa – with SA National Parks (SANParks) to pull out all the stops on World Ranger Day on Wednesday to mark the heroic efforts of rangers. Notwithstanding last month’s attack by a hippo, which left three staff injured while clearing alien plants along the Sabie River, SANParks has this year not reported any ranger fatalities. Describing rangers as “lofty citizens who are at the heart of preserving our natural and cultural heritage”, SANParks head of communications JP Louw, said World Ranger Day was an international occasion to commemorate rangers. “It is also a time when we acknowledge those who lost their lives in the line of duty,” he pointed out. According to Save The Rhino, 448 rhinos were killed two years ago in SA – a decline compared to the previous year. It explained: “This change was due to the impact of the Covid pandemic. Lockdowns were in force with curfew laws in place, making it much harder for poachers to get into a reserve to kill a rhino and then smuggle its horn out of the country without being noticed.” But the restrictions were lifted, causing poaching to increase by 13% since 2020. Read the original of the report in the above regard by Brian Sokutu at The Citizen
Absa slams ‘malicious and sensational' report claiming that its CEO ‘broke down at meeting with senior leaders Fin24 reports that Absa has denied a report by the Sunday Times alleging that its senior leadership has lost confidence in CEO Arrie Rautenbach. The newspaper wrote that Rautenbach allegedly "broke down" at a 25 July meeting of the bank's top 250 senior leaders after attempts by him to explain that he was not "anti-transformation" fell on deaf ears. Unnamed Absa executives allegedly told Rautenbach they had lost confidence in him and wanted "a black African CEO". While Absa confirmed that a meeting of about 250 of its senior leadership was held last week, it said the purpose had been to reconfirm the group’s commitment to the execution of its business strategy and transformation, amongst other topics. "Absa refutes the portrayal of the proceedings of the high-level leadership conference. The article’s representation of proceedings is a malicious and sensational distortion of the true nature of this private event, which was an internal and constructive deliberation among the senior leadership group," the bank commented. Absa's transformation credentials have been under sharp scrutiny since former CEO Daniel Mminele, the bank's first black CEO, left in April 2021 less than 16 months into the role over differences with its board. Rautenbach replaced Mminele with effect from March 2022, prompting criticism from the Public Investment Corporation, the Association of Black Securities and Investment Professionals and others over the selection of a white male CEO. Read the full original of the report in the above regard compiled by Garth Theunissen at Fin24. Read too, CEO’s plea to bosses as discord rocks Absa, at Sunday Times (subscriber access only)
KZN premier says complaints of EPWP workers in eThekwini being dealt with IOL News reports that the KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Thami Ntuli, says that eThekwini metro is attending to complaints raised by Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) workers. In a display of discontent, employees of the eThekwini municipality gathered outside the Durban city hall on Tuesday. Workers who are part of the EPWP, voiced their frustration over purported non-renewal of contracts at the end of July and demanded direct employment in the municipality. Ntuli pointed out that the situation came about amid a period of significant change in eThekwini, marked by the arrival of a new mayor and the integration of presidential working groups to bolster support by the cabinet. He reported that there had been an engagement with the eThekwini mayor. Alluding to initial steps taken to address grievances, Ntuli said: “I initiated that meeting where progress in the negotiations was reported. I am hopeful that I will be receiving a report which will pave the way forward because some of the concerns raised where quite genuine. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Hope Ntanzi at IOL News
Principal of Pretoria High School for Girls suspended after recent racism incident TimesLIVE reports that the Gauteng Department of Education (GDoE) has suspended Pretoria High School for Girls principal Phillipa Erasmus pending investigations of alleged racism at the school. Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane indicated this was a precautionary suspension that would take effect immediately. Erasmus has been barred from communicating with pupils, teachers and parents. One of the deputy principals will stand in as acting principal. Chiloane said they anticipated the matter would be concluded in three months. He advised that preliminary findings were that the matter was reported as early as 2023, but no action was taken by the school. “The principal knew about this matter from last year. There was a report and there was no action taken then. That's where we are with the principal – that you knew and you knew the gravity of the situation and you left it,” he said. About 12 pupils at the school have been suspended “for racism”. According to the GDoE, this was triggered by alleged racial connotations, micro-aggressions and complaints about black pupils that were ventilated through a WhatsApp group consisting of white pupils. The conversations allegedly included racial commentary about the ongoing dissatisfaction among black pupils regarding issues they faced at the school, which were alluded to as being insignificant. In 2016, the school was embroiled in an earlier racism saga when black pupils accused the school of having rules that were discriminatory against black girls' hair. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Shonisani Tshikalange at TimesLIVE. Read too, Pretoria High School for Girls principal suspended amid racial discrimination probe, at News24. En ook, Hoof geskors ná rasherrie by Pta-skool, by Maroela Media Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Ten out of 13 suspended Gauteng Social Development officials return to work with no disciplinary hearings having been held GroundUp reports that more than six months since the Gauteng Department of Social Development suspended 13 officials, ten of them have returned to work after the department failed to hold disciplinary hearings. Three officials are still suspended. Three officials were suspended in September, one in December and nine in January. At the time, the department was under the leadership of MEC Mbali Hlophe. In several advertorials paid for by the department, Hlophe said that the suspensions were a result of forensic audits of the department’s funding of non-profit organisations and part of her crackdown on corruption in the department. But the forensic audit has yielded little evidence of corruption, with most of the organisations flagged by the investigation now cleared. The forensic audits caused serious delays in the funding process, with hundreds of organisations waiting more than two months to receive their subsidies from the department. Details of the charges against the officials have not been made public, but Hlophe’s spokesperson previously said the charges included “gross negligence and failure to perform duties”. Apparently, the remaining three officials, who were suspended in September, are in arbitration with the department. The officials claim they have not been given access to the forensic audit that supposedly implicated them. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Daniel Steyn, Joseph Bracken & Raymond Joseph at GroundUp
Defence claims in ‘blue lights’ assault case that VW Polo driver deliberately ignored convoy, endangering Deputy President News24 reports that the defence attorney representing eight former VIP police officers assigned to protect Deputy President Paul Mashatile accused the driver of a VW Polo of deliberately disregarding the official convoy, posing a direct threat to Mashatile's safety. The defence presented the Randburg Magistrate’s Court with aerial images from Joburg N1 highway footage in July 2023 to show that there was a convoy and that the witness "couldn’t have missed it". The officers were caught on a video that went viral, showing them allegedly dragging a man from the VW Polo and kicking him as he lay on the ground. The accused face 12 charges, including pointing a firearm, reckless and negligent driving, malicious damage to property, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, obstruction of justice, and assault by threat. The witness cannot be named due to a court ruling. Defence lawyer Mswazi Makhubele put it to the witness that the officers were in convoy with blue lights that day. "Can you see that the cars on the screen have blue lights?" he asked. The witness, who claimed that he did not see blue lights on that day, replied: "I can see the blue lights in this picture, but on that day, I don’t remember seeing any blue lights." He proceeded to point out that in other images provided as evidence he could not see the blue lights. Makhubele proceeded to ask the witness about the injuries he had sustained. He asked why the witness, who was seen lying unconscious on the ground in the video, did not go to the doctor on the day of the incident. The trial was adjourned because the defence did not possess a copy of an exhibit necessary for questioning the witness effectively. The trial will continue on Wednesday. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Aphelele Mbokotho at News24
Hawks bust Free State Home Affairs official regarding smart ID corruption involving foreigners BloemExpress reports that an investigation by the Free State Hawks regarding a convicted Bangladeshi man, Saddam Hussein, who fraudulently obtained a SA identity document (ID), has led to the arrest of a Department of Home Affairs (DHA) official. The 46-year-old man appeared in the Lindley Magistrates’ Court on 29 July to face a charge of corruption and was scheduled to reappear on Tuesday. Col. Zweli Mohobeleli, provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, said the Bethlehem Hawks arrested the suspect on 26 July as part of ongoing investigations regarding corruption involving bribes to issue IDs to foreign nationals. “The suspect is alleged to have facilitated fraudulent IDs for foreign nationals at a fee of R10,000,” he indicated. A probe uncovered that Hussein fraudulently obtained a SA smart ID and passport, under the details of a bona fide South African citizen. The crooked Bangladeshi was arrested with his partner in April this year. Evidence revealed that Hussein made a false statement, claiming to have lost both his ID and passport, when applying at the Kroonstad DHA facilities. Hussein has commenced his three-year imprisonment term after the Kroonstad Magistrate’s Court sentenced him on 24 June. The case against Hussein’s partner is pending an ongoing investigation by the Hawks and the provincial DHA. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Teboho Setena at News24
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