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 Friday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of South African
labour-related reports.
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Prasa board fires reinstated CEO Zolani Matthews for third time, pays out remainder of his contract TimesLIVE reports that the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) has fired its CEO, Zolani Matthews, for the third time, just a few days after he returned to his job following a Labour Court ruling in his favour. Board chair Nosizwe Nokwe-Macamo said Matthews’ termination was in line with his contract and in the interest of Prasa and all rail passengers. Matthews was fired by Prasa in 2021 for holding dual citizenship, which the entity at the time said was a material breach that he did not disclose. The dual SA/UK citizenship prevented him from obtaining a security clearance. In April 2022, retired judge Robert Nugent ruled that Matthews should be reinstated with back pay as the dual citizenship was not a problem. But before Matthews could return to his office, Prasa fired him again – this time for “non-performance”. Now the board has fired him once again and said he would be paid out for the remainder of his contract. The board explained that it had intended to reach an amicable agreement with Matthews, but attempts to do so had failed, leaving it with no choice but to terminate his contract. Last month, Matthews demanded more than R14m in remuneration and benefits for the period that he was unlawfully dismissed. In April last year, Prasa permanently confirmed Hishaam Emeran as CEO. It said it was confident in the management team led by Emeran Read the full original of the report in the above regard at TimesLIVE. Read too, Prasa axes Zolani Matthews - again - with immediate effect, at Fin24 (registration required)
Amanzimtoti SPCA field officer deeply traumatised after hijacking at gunpoint South Coast Sun reports that the Amanzimtoti SPCA is enduring an unprecedented crisis after multiple vehicle thefts and the brutal hijacking of a field officer on 13 August. The non-profit organisation says it is enduring one of the most challenging periods in its history. “Over the past year, we’ve faced heartbreaking setbacks, but this event has left us shaken to the core. Not once, but twice, our vehicle has been stolen. Yesterday (Tuesday), our dedicated field officer was brutally hijacked at gunpoint while on an after-hour call-out in Illovu township. He was thrown into the back of our van, terrorised as he was driven around and forced to hand over his bank details. He is unharmed, but deeply traumatised. Our vehicle was taken with all our equipment, and our emergency cellphone was stolen, as well,” the SPCA reported in a statement. Now, they find themselves struggling to function without their vehicles. “Our ability to respond to cruelty complaints and emergencies has been drastically compromised,” the organisation said, adding that it was in urgent need of donations and financial support. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at The Citizen
All Sassa offices in Western Cape open after security guard strike caused disruptions News24 reports that SA Social Security Agency (Sassa) offices across the Western Cape have reopened after offering reduced services, while others were closed due to a security guards' strike earlier in the week. Sassa spokesperson Annelize Bester said most of the province's local offices were affected by Tuesday's security strike. Some offices were closed to clients while others provided full or partial services. Bester said all Sassa offices and service points had been open since Wednesday. She explained that Sassa security was outsourced to a service provider and managed via a service agreement. Bester went on to indicate that the strike originated from an internal labour dispute, according to the information provided to Sassa by the service provider. Sassa was apparently only informed of the strike late on Monday evening. Bester apologised to clients for the inconvenience and assured them that Sassa would do its best to ensure that services were rendered in a safe and secure environment. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mothushi Thoka at News24
Eikenhof site where unwrought gold was being processed was under observation by the Hawks for weeks News24 reports that a plot in the south of Joburg where 14 people were caught allegedly processing gold illegally, was on the radar of undercover police officers for a few weeks before Wednesday's takedown. A source close to the investigation said the Hawks received a tip-off from concerned residents about suspicious activities at the plot. "They became suspicious after seeing construction trucks carrying what they thought was soil to the plot almost daily. Then alerted law enforcement officials, who informed the Hawks about the suspicious activities at the plot. A date was set for the takedown operation. The big fish are at large. They were not present when the Hawks arrived at the plot," the source indicated. In a statement from Hawks spokesperson Captain Lloyd Ramovha, it emerged that the arrests were carried out after complaints from the community in and around Eikenhof. "The hive of activities nestled in plots on either side of R554 road were immediately stopped. Tons of soil with gold-bearing material valued at over R2.5 million was recovered and removed from the scene by our mining sector stakeholders," Ramovha stated. Thirteen of the 14 people arrested have appeared in court and the fourteenth is in hospital. The case was postponed to 22 August so that the Hawks could confirm whether the accused were in the country legally, verify their passports, and confirm their home addresses. The owner of the Eikenhof plot, which has a market value of more than R5 million, is also under investigation. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ntwaagae Seleka at News24 (registration required)
Petrol, diesel price cuts on the cards for September Fin24 reports that as matters stand, petrol and diesel prices are on track for cuts at the start of September. The latest estimate from the Central Energy Fund shows that the price of 95 unleaded petrol is due for a decrease of around 67c a litre, while the wholesale price of diesel could be lowered by 53c (0.05% sulphur content) and 77c (0.005%) a litre. Petrol prices were cut by 15c a litre at the start of August, while wholesale diesel prices fell by 17c or 28c, depending on the sulphur content. Fuel prices are now at their cheapest levels since January this year, with petrol (95) selling for R23.11 a litre in Gauteng, and R22.32 on the coast. South African fuel prices are largely determined by international oil and fuel costs and the rand exchange rate, as oil is priced in dollars. Fuel prices are usually adjusted on the first Wednesday of the month. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Fin24 (registration required). See too, Decent fuel price decreases looks likely for September, but hold thumbs, at IOL News
Home Affairs to speedily deport 95 Libyans arrested at ‘military’ training camp in White River TimesLIVE reports that the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has committed to speedily conclude the deportation of 95 Libyans arrested at a suspected military training base in White River, Mpumalanga, in July. On Thursday, the state withdrew its case against the men and the court ordered the men be deported to their home country. National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Monica Nyuswa said the state withdrew its case because, after studying the docket, it was realised there were no prospects of a successful prosecution. Nyuswa reported that the 95 men had successfully made representations to the Mpumalanga director of public prosecutions (DPP). They had also applied to be deported to Benghazi should their representations to the DPP be successful. The men had been charged with misrepresentations in their visa applications in that they claimed they were coming into SA to train as security guards. DHA Minister Leon Schreiber welcomed the court's order to deport the men and said he had instructed the department to proceed with speed. This would be done while observing legal processes. According to the DHA, its officials were in court to secure the confirmations for deportation from the magistrate. Officials were also finalising logistics for the deportations. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Shonisani Tshikalange at TimesLIVE. See too, No evidence of criminality committed by 95 Libyan nationals arrested at illegal military training camp, at EWN. Lees ook, Klagte teen 95 Libiërs laat vaar – NVG, by Maroela Media. En, ActionSA blaas vuur oor klagte teen 95 Libiërs teruggetrek is, by Maroela Media
Thousands of healthcare professionals will also not sign Presidential Health Compact The Citizen reports that some 25,000 healthcare professionals will also not sign the Presidential Health Compact, saying it is nothing more than an attempt to lock in support for the National Health Insurance (NHI). Earlier this week, Business Unity SA (Busa) and the SA Medical Association (Sama) indicated that they would not sign the current version of the compact. The SA Health Professionals Collaboration (SAHPC), a national group of nine medical, dental and allied healthcare practitioners’ associations representing more than 25,000 private and public sector healthcare workers, indicated on Thursday that it would not be signing the compact. Simon Strachan, SAHPC spokesperson, said that while the SAHPC acknowledged that health reforms were necessary to address the challenges in the country’s healthcare system, it believed the way that the compact had been written was fundamentally biased towards solidifying support for the National Health Insurance (NHI) Act as the sole solution to achieving universal health coverage. “Our primary concern is and always will be the well-being of patients. We do not believe that the NHI is a viable or workable model for achieving universal health coverage. Our numerous proposals and concerns have not been acknowledged,” he indicated. Strachan said what was needed was urgent formal engagement with the President on the NHI and ways of achieving universal health coverage to ensure health reform was fit for purpose and truly benefited patients, the economy and the country. “It is important that health reforms are developed in partnership with all those that are mandated to deliver this critical service,” he argued. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ina Opperman at The Citizen. Lees ook, Duisende in gesondheidsbedryf gee president se verdrag ook koue skouer, by Maroela Media
Limpopo teacher loses four-year battle to have two months’ suspension without pay overturned IOL News reports that a Limpopo school teacher who approached the Labour Court in Johannesburg to fight his two months’ suspension without pay, had his appeal dismissed after the acting judge Luit de Haan found that the sanction had been fair. Vonani Arone Mukhari has worked as a teacher at Nkuzana Primary School in Khomanani since 1986. He has been engaged in a four-year-long battle with the school after an internal disciplinary committee found him guilty of insubordination in August 2020. Between January 2018 and March 2018, Mukhari allegedly displayed disrespect towards others in the workplace and faced four charges. He was charged with disrespecting the principal after he told her that she was not “Alpha and Omega”. Mukhani also refused to accept the curriculum package from the school administrator and he indicated that he was not going to abide by the management plan because it was not helpful to him. A disciplinary hearing was held in March 2020 and in August 2020, he was found guilty of three charges, but was cleared of disrespecting the principal. Mukhani faced a sanction of two months suspension without pay and a final written warning was also imposed. He unsuccessfully appealed the findings and sanction internally. In March 2021 he approached the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC), which ruled that the outcome and sanction had been fair. Mukhani then took the matter to the Labour Court. De Haan found that Mukhari gave contracting evidence as to why he had refused to accept the curriculum package and his argument had no merit. Additionally, his refusal to attend a parent-teacher meeting had been a direct challenge to the authority of both the principal and the HOD. “I can find no grounds in the papers or in law for interfering with it (the sanction). I therefore can’t fault the arbitrator on this score,” De Haan said, adding that his sanction had been lenient in that he had not been dismissed. No costs were awarded because of the ongoing relationship between Mukhani and his employer. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sinenhlanhla Masilela at IOL News
Western Cape Crime Intelligence boss Mzwandile Tiyo to challenge dismissal from the SAPS News24 reports that axed Western Cape Crime Intelligence (CI) boss Mzwandile Tiyo says he will challenge his dismissal from the SA Police Service (SAPS). His lawyer, Ian Levitt, indicated: "Our client will most definitely be challenging this purported 'firing' and is ready for this fight." Tiyo was reportedly dismissed following an inquiry into his fitness to hold office. He was accused of using CI resources to trace, kidnap and assault suspects who had stolen a laptop and a firearm from the boot of his car. Yet, Tiyo apparently never opened a case of theft. He also reportedly threatened and asked known gangsters to intimidate the thieves, telling them they would be killed if they opened cases of assault against the CI operatives who were involved in tracking down the suspects. Institute for Security Studies researcher David Bruce commented that the offences that Tiyo was accused of were of "a serious nature". A former police officer, who had worked with Tiyo and requested not to be named, said his dismissal was "long overdue". The former cop said rumours abounded over Tiyo's alleged misdeeds. "The dismissal is gladly welcomed and applauded from the community's point of view. We don't need leadership of rogue characters who are not of good standing in the police," the former colleague stated. Tiyo, who was once a member of the ANC's Umkhonto weSizwe, reportedly provided protection and security functions for Oliver Tambo, Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nicole McCain at News24 (registration required) Police officers must be held to higher standard, says Ian Cameron SABC News reports that the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron, says it is important for police officers to be held to a higher standard than ordinary citizens when it comes to crime. His comments followed the dismissal of the head of crime intelligence in the Western Cape, Mzwandile Tiyo, from the SA Police Service (SAPS). The dismissal followed a Section 34 inquiry to establish Tiyo’s fitness to hold office following allegations that he lost both a laptop and a firearm and also used crime intelligence resources to find the people who had stolen them and assaulted them. Cameron said officers needed to set a specific example with regard to the rule of law. “I get the impression so far from the new police minister that he is very serious about cleaning up. I hope that we will see more of the same. There is a lot to still be done, but it does seem that there are things happening that are positive,” Cameron opined. Read the original of the short report in the above regard at SABC News
Top Eastern Cape health department HR official arrested for alleged negligent and drunk driving News24 reports that the Eastern Cape health department's deputy director-general (DDG) for HR and Corporate Services, Nwabisa Mavuso, appeared in the Qonce Magistrate's Court on Wednesday on charges of negligent and drunk driving. Allegedly, Mavuso's vehicle was involved in an accident in Qonce (formerly King William's Town) on Tuesday evening. Mavuso was detained in the Qonce police station's holding cells. National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Luxolo Tyali advised: "[She appeared on Wednesday] for drunk and negligent driving as there was a serious accident. Bail of R1,000 was granted. The matter was postponed to 28 October for further investigations." The health department's spokesperson, Mkhululi Ndamase, advised: "We can confirm that DDG Mavuso has taken a few days from work because of a personal matter. The department will wait for a report on the alleged incident. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sithandiwe Velaphi at News24 (registration required)
City of Cape Town says progress on devolution of rail transport is too slow GroundUp reports that according to Rob Quintas, head of transport in the City of Cape Town, the national Department of Transport (DoT) is dragging its heels on the devolution of rail. He says the steering committee set up by the DoT to discuss the devolution of rail to municipalities has only met once. The committee includes representatives of municipalities and provincial and national transport departments. Quintas said the City was not satisfied with progress to date and “the lack of urgency” that the DoT had demonstrated. “We have never been invited to a meeting other than the initial inception meeting,” he claimed. Quintas also said the City was still waiting for the department’s draft National Devolution Strategy. Spokesperson for the DoT, Collen Msibi, advised that the draft National Devolution Strategy would be developed for public participation and “all stakeholders including the City of Cape Town be given adequate opportunity to make comments.” Functional rail will save lower income families in Cape Town R932-million per year and sustain 51,000 jobs in the metro, according to a City of Cape Town Rail Feasibility Study. Initially, the City said the national government’s failure to devolve rail might lead to a formal intergovernmental dispute. But Quintas this week indicated: “If we see commitment to urgency and working together, then no dispute will be necessary.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sandiso Phaliso at GroundUp
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