In our Thursday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of South African
labour-related reports.
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Presidential health summit scheduled for Thursday postponed amid opposition to NHI BL Premium reports that the second presidential health summit, scheduled for Thursday when the second presidential health compact was due to be signed, has been postponed to 22 August amid mounting concern about the compact’s endorsement of National Health Insurance (NHI). An urgent notice from events management in the Presidency said simply that the postponement was due to “unforeseen circumstances”. Vincent Magwenya, spokesperson for President Cyril Ramaphosa, said the event was postponed “due to changes in the diary that had to be accommodated”. He claimed the postponement had nothing to do with opposition to NHI. The postponement came as the SA Medical Association (Sama) voiced concern about the compact because of its endorsement of NHI. Business Unity SA (Busa) has said it won’t sign the compact as it cannot pledge support for a policy it opposes. The draft compact circulated last week states that the government and other stakeholders commit themselves to achieving universal health coverage through NHI and that they commit to jointly implementing NHI-related health systems and service improvement plans. According to Busa, NHI in its current form was unaffordable, unworkable and would harm SA’s health system and investor confidence. The NHI Act, signed by the President on 15 May but not yet promulgated, faces legal challenges from trade union Solidarity and the Board of Healthcare Funders, representing medical schemes and administrators. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Linda Ensor at BusinessLive (subscriber access only). Read too, Presidency postpones signing of health compact rejected by Busa over NHI, at Fin24. En ook, Busa sê nee dankie vir president se nuwe gesondheidspakt, by Maroela Media
‘Toxic stress’ a big risk for SA’s working women The Citizen reports that in addition to recent figures by Statistics SA noting how women in Mzansi continue to shoulder the burden of unemployment and underemployment, a report has revealed that SA’s working women are more at risk of toxic work stress. Unique challenges faced by women in the workplace and their greater share of juggling work and household responsibilities raise their risk of toxic stress, with negative impacts on both their productivity and the organisation’s performance. Women and men not only respond differently to stress, but more women are reporting increased levels of stress. Sress-related disorders such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are more common in women. “The negative impact of stress on productivity and organisational outcomes is significant,” said Head of the MBA in Healthcare Leadership programme at Stellenbosch Business School, Prof Renata Schoeman. Stress-related symptoms can contribute to absenteeism, staff turnover, late-coming and declining quality of work, and may lead to negative peer relationships, disengagement or presenteeism. The economic impact is significant – one study found that the productivity losses of absenteeism due to depression equated to 0.62% of SA’s GDP, with depression-linked presenteeism costing the economy 4.23% of GDP. Schoeman noted that despite greater focus on corporate mental health awareness and interventions after the Covid-19 pandemic, women’s stress levels have continued to rise, and stigmas around workplace mental health persist. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Bonginkosi Tiwane at The Citizen. Lees ook, ‘Toksiese stres’ groot risiko vir werkende SA vroue, by Maroela Media Dis-Chem takes flak from CWAO for firing cancer sufferer Cape Argus reports that the Casual Workers’ Advice Office (CWAO) has condemned Dis-Chem for dismissing a female worker after she was fitted with a stoma bag following cancer surgery and could no longer lift heavy items. The subsequent dispute ended up at the CCMA, where commissioner Johan Stapelberg ruled on 4 July 2024 that the dismal had been “procedurally and substantively fair”. Refilwe Matinketsa started working at Dis-Chem in March 2019 as a picker at the distribution centre until this year, when she was dismissed by Dis-Chem for medical incapacity. She was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2022, underwent surgery and was fitted with a stoma bag. Matinketsa returned to work at Dis-Chem in November 2023. She was temporarily employed as a light-duty packer and was then retrained as a picker. In March 2024, Dis-Chem terminated Matinketsa’s employment on grounds of medical incapacity. In his ruling, Stapelberg indicated: “The evidence is clear that both on her own version, and based on the doctor’s prognosis, she could not perform her duties as a picker any longer.” On Tuesday, CWAO condemned the dismissal and said: “Any manual worker involved in heavy lifting can expect to be summarily dismissed if they are diagnosed with cancer, or tear their shoulder or hip muscles while lifting at work, even if they have dedicated years of service to the company and still have decades left before retirement.” The CWAO demanded that Dis-Chem should reinstate Refilwe Matinketsa in a genuine light-duty job without further delay. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Theolin Tembo at Cape Argus. Read too, What can workers expect from their employer if they are too sick to work?, at Mail & Guardian Kruger National Park ranger hospitalised after being gored by a buffalo SABC News reports that a Kruger National Park ranger was airlifted to hospital after being gored by a buffalo. The park’s spokesperson Ike Phaahla reported that two rangers were patrolling on Tuesday when a buffalo charged them from behind. The ranger managed to cling to the buffalo’s horns while his colleague put it down. “One of our field rangers was seriously wounded by a buffalo while in a patrol in the Pretoriuskop section of the Kruger National Park. He was stabilized on the scene of the attack and he’s currently receiving medical attention at a health facility. Our prayers are with him, his colleague and family. The animal was destroyed by the other field ranger who was patrolling with him at the time”, Phaahla indicated. The injured ranger is described as being in a stable condition. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Jabulani Baloi at SABC News. See too, Kruger Park ranger survives buffalo attack by clinging onto its horns, at News24 (registration required). En ook, Ondersoek kom ná buffel veldwagter bestorm, by Maroela Media Cape Town law enforcement officer stabbed, colleagues pepper-sprayed in yet another attack by a motorist Cape Times reports that the City of Cape Town has condemned attacks on its law enforcement officers after one member was stabbed in the head and two others attacked with pepper spray while attempting to place a suspect in handcuffs on Monday. Mayco member for safety and security JP Smith said Ghost Squad officers were on patrol on the N2 on Monday when they saw a motorist overtaking other vehicles on the shoulder of the roadway near Borcherds Quarry. “The officers indicated by means of blue lights, sirens and the public address system for the driver to pull over but he refused, resulting in a chase and officers calling for assistance,” Smith said. They eventually succeeded in cornering the vehicle near Duinefontein Road. “While attempting to place the suspect in handcuffs he resisted, and instead assaulted the officer by stabbing him in the head, using his vehicle keys. He then grabbed hold of a second officer’s pepper spray, and attacked the officers using the canister, while punching and kicking them. The driver jumped back into his vehicle and ejected three learners before speeding off, pursued by more officers who had arrived to assist,” Smith reported. The suspect was again boxed in, but jumped over the N2 median wall and ran away in the direction of Bonteheuwel. The driver was arrested at the Green Point Traffic Department on Tuesday when the owner of the taxi brought him in. He will be charged with assault and reckless and negligent driving. The three officers who were assaulted were taken by ambulance to hospital. In another incident, an officer was hit by a passing vehicle during a checkpoint on the Klipfontein Service Road in Athlone on Tuesday morning. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Cape Times Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Security guard strike hits Western Cape Sassa offices, with several offices closed on Tuesday GroundUp reports that several SA Social Security Agency (Sassa) offices in the Western Cape were closed on Tuesday as a result of a strike by security guards. Sassa promised to put a contingency plan in place, and when GroundUp checked on Wednesday, the Cape Town office and the Athlone offices were open again. Calls to other offices in the city to find out if they were open went unanswered. Sassa’s Annelize Bester said they had closed some offices on Tuesday “as we do not have enough security officials on duty to cover all the service points”. For clients affected by the closures, alternative appointment dates were being arranged where possible and people wanting to apply for grants could also use the Sassa website’s online platform. Bester said the strike was the result of a dispute between the security company appointed by Sassa and employees. Sassa had been notified about the strike late on Monday. Bester said Sassa was in discussions with the security company. On Wednesday, Sassa indicated that the security service provider had implemented the contingency plan and all Sassa offices should be operational. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Marecia Damons at GroundUp Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Cops nab 14 in raid on illegal mining operation in Eikenhof, uncover R2.5m in gold bearing material Briefly News reports that police stopped an illegal mining operation in Eikenhof in Johannesburg after swooping in on and arresting 14 suspects. It followed a multifaceted law-enforcement operation in response to multiple community complaints. According to police information, the suspects, all Zimbabwean nationals aged between 26 and 51, will make their first appearance in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court on Thursday. They will be charged with illegal possession of unwrought precious metals and contravening the Immigration and Environmental Acts. Police spokesperson Captain Lloyd Ramovha said the Hawks' Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit, based in the West Rand, descended on the illegal facilities with a search warrant at about 10:00. "The hive of activity on either side of the R554 road was immediately halted. Police recovered tonnes of soil [containing] gold-bearing material worth over R2.5 million," said Ramovha. The provincial head of the Hawks in Gauteng, Major General Ebrahim Kadwa, praised the multidisciplinary team effort. "Such facilities, especially in residential areas, pose a health and environmental risk. Using cyanide to extract gold in an unregulated environment is disastrous. [The adverse] impact of the illegal activities on the economy [is detrimental]," Kadwa said. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tshepiso Mametela at Briefly News. See too, Fourteen arrested after police swoop on illicit mining operation, at News24 (registration required) Other labour / community posting(s) relating to mining
Other general posting(s) relating to mining
SA women suffer the brunt of unemployment crisis The Star writes that South African women have little to celebrate this Women’s Month, as they continue to suffer the brunt of unemployment. According to Stats SA, women shoulder a disproportionate burden of unemployment, underemployment and lower workforce participation compared to men. This was partly because women were more likely to take on household duties, child-rearing, and other responsibilities that limited their opportunities in the labour market. The trends in labour force participation and absorption rates for men and women from 2014 to 2024 indicate that fewer women have been participating in the labour market as compared to men. Stats SA released the latest unemployment figures on Tuesday, which showed an uptick in joblessness. Unemployment increased to 33.5% during the second quarter, from 32.9% in the previous quarter. The SA Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) said the fluctuating unemployment reflected the structural defects in the economy that kept the economy on a zigzag growth path. The federation’s spokesperson, Trevor Shaku, noted that unemployment over the past 10 years had been rising steadily, supported by the dismal labour absorption rate. “The increasing number of the working-age population has not been met by a proportional rise in job creation. Consequently, over 6.4 million people are trapped in what is considered to be long-term unemployment,” he pointed out. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sipho Jack at The Star. Read too, Unemployment gender gap rises regardless of education at Cape Times Other internet posting(s) in this news category
South Africans need to earn a ‘living wage’ of at least R15,000 to cover monthly obligations IOL News reports that according to the Living Wage SA Network (LWSAN), the monthly living wage amount for 2024 is R15,000 per month net. The living wage is a wage that allows the country’s lowest-paid workers to provide for their families while also leaving enough money to save for unanticipated emergencies. According to the network, the figure is calculated based on the self-reported quality of life of low-income survey participants from SA. Professor Ines Meyer of the University of Cape Town recently commented: “A number of people insisted that R15,000 could never cover their monthly obligations. It is hard to make ends meet on R15,000, yet most who work in South Africa earn even less. The legally prescribed national minimum wage comes to only one third of the living wage. If it is difficult to live on R15,000 per month, how shall those whose income is even lower get by?” She encouraged the public and companies to examine the situation of workers who struggled to afford the bare necessities that the rest take for granted. “This figure (R15,000) affords the opportunity to live a ‘decent’ life in the sense that it gives people a choice over areas of life that matter to them,” Meyer pointed out. According to the World Inequality Database, SA’s median pay is R5,417. Encouraging employers to pay the living wage voluntarily, Meyer said businesses continued to judge workers’ worth based on the value of their labour to the corporation, rather than their inherent value as living beings. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Xolile Mtembu at IOL News
NPA reinstates aspirant prosecutor programme for law graduates IOL News reports that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has announced that it will be reinstating its aspirant prosecutor programme for 2025. The programme was suspended in September 2023 for the 2024 intake due to government budget cuts. According to NPA spokesperson Bulelwa Makeke, during the 2022/23 period the prosecuting authority absorbed more than 1,000 law graduates. “Due to the unplanned budget cuts, many of these aspirants could not be given contracts after completion of the programme,” Makeke advised. She explained that the NPA was now in a position to offer contracts to law graduates and added: “The recent improvement in the NPA’s budget situation has allowed the organisation to offer contracts to many aspirants in the system, gradually filling the vacant district court posts that are being created through internal promotions.” For 2024, the NPA will recruit a smaller intake of 80 aspirants for the year with a specific focus on NPA offices that can train the graduates and use them in priority high-need areas. Meanwhile, the advertisement for the 2025 intake will be published on 16 August on the NPA and DPSA websites, as well as on the NPA social media platforms. Training is scheduled to start on 1 March 2025. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sinenhlanhla Masilela at IOL News
Western Cape crime intelligence boss Mzwandile Tiyo ousted amid misconduct allegations IOL News reports that the SA Police Service (SAPS) has dismissed Mzwandile Tiyo, the head of crime intelligence in the Western Cape, following allegations of misconduct. The dismissal follows a Section 34 inquiry, prompted by allegations that Tiyo lost both a laptop and a firearm. Reports suggest that Tiyo then used crime intelligence resources to track down the individuals who had stolen the items and subsequently assaulted them. The dismissal decision has been welcomed by Ian Cameron, chairperson of the portfolio committee on police, who described the dismissal as a crucial step toward restoring the service’s credibility. He condemned Tiyo’s actions, saying: “It is unacceptable that a law enforcement officer unilaterally abused state resources to hide their misdeeds. The fact that the state assets were stolen at a tavern points to sheer disregard for the office he holds.” Cameron also called for the completion of the ongoing criminal investigation and prosecution to ensure justice was served. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Hope Ntanzi at IOL News. See too, SAPS fires Western Cape Crime Intelligence boss Mzwandile Tiyo, at News24 (registration required)
Assistant manager at Eastern Cape mall convicted of gift card vouchers fraud of over R720,000 IOL News reports that an assistant manager at a shopping mall in the Eastern Cape has been convicted of fraud amounting to over R720,000. Rosslyn Moodley, 43, was convicted in the East London Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday. According to the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (Hawks), Moodley was arrested in February 2023. Commenting on the case, Eastern Cape Hawks spokesperson Captain Yolisa Mgolodela said the fraud took place over a two-year period. “Moodley was employed as the Assistant Manager at Hemmingway’s Mall within the office of the centre management. During the period of 2018 and 2020 she made numerous fraudulent “gift card vouchers” for her personal gain. The matter was formally lodged with the East London based serious commercial crime investigation (unit) of the Hawks for a thorough probe.” The investigation revealed that Moodley had prejudiced the centre of cash to the value of more than R720,000. Following numerous court appearances during her trial, Moodley was eventually convicted. The matter has been adjourned to 14 October 2024 for a probation officer’s report. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jolene Marriah-Maharaj at IOL News Other internet posting(s) in this news category
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