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 recent South
African labour-related reports.
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NUM signs above inflation four-year wage deal with Impala Platinum Refineries Business Report writes that the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has reached a salary increase agreement covering its members at Impala Platinum (Implats) Refineries, which is the platinum group metals producer’s refinery operations in Springs. Under the agreement effective from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2028, Implats agreed to “harmonisation of B lower- to C upper-level employees”. Under the deal. employees will receive varying wage increases over the period. Workers in categories BL, BU, B5 and B7 will receive wage increases of 8% in year one, 7.5% in year two, 7.5% in year three and 8% in year five. Employees under category CL will receive wage increments of 7% in year one, two, three and four, while those in category CU will receive 7% in year one, and 6.5% in year two, three and four. There will be a medical subsidy under which workers will be entitled to R740 in year one, R760 in year two, R780 in year three and R800 in year four. First dependants will also receive R500 in year one, R515 in year two, R530 in year three and R545 in year four, while other dependants would receive R300 in year one, R305 in year two, R310 in year three and R315 in year four. In respect of accommodation allowances, workers in category B will receive a R3,500 housing allowance in year one, R3,600 in year two, R3,700 in year three and R3,800 in year four. Employees at Implats’ refinery operations will not be affected by the retrenchments that the company has been implementing across its PGM operations. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tawanda Karombo at Business Report Other labour / community posting(s) relating to mining
Boland rugby player dies after ribs broken during a match in Robertson on Saturday News24 reports that tributes have been pouring in on social media for rugby player Ashwill Sauls who died during a rugby match in Robertson in the Western Cape on Saturday. The young father's ribs were broken, puncturing his lungs, and leading to his death during a match between his team, the Robertson Rangers, and Montagu Villagers. Boland Rugby Union president Bennie van Rooi said it was just "one big accident" and not an illegal tackle that caused his injuries. Van Rooi said Sauls' death was "a sad day for his family but also the whole rugby fraternity". "Our deepest sympathy goes to Ashwill's family. We will give his family and club the necessary support and ensure that counselling is available," he indicated. Botrivier Rugby Club said as a club, they were rocked by Sauls' sudden death. The club described him as a talented player who had much to give. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Candice Bezuidenhout at News24 Two security guards injured when cash-in-transit van blown-up at Shallcross shopping centre in Durban News24 reports that two security guards were injured when robbers blew up a cash-in-transit (CIT) vehicle at a shopping centre in Shallcross, Durban, on Monday. ALS Paramedics spokesperson Gareth Jamieson said paramedics went to the scene at around 18:30. Police and other security officials were already there. "Paramedics assessed two security officers who had sustained moderate injuries from the assault and robbery, and they were stabilised on the scene before being transported to a nearby hospital for the further care that they require," he reported. Bystanders captured the incident on video. A clip showsd a white bakkie, apparently the robbers' getaway car, reversing close to the blown-up vehicle. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Noxolo Sibiya at News24
Big petrol and diesel price cuts expected in October Daily Investor reports that motorists are set for significant relief at the pumps next week, with petrol and diesel prices expected to come down by over R1 per litre. Lower global oil demand has put downward pressure on prices in recent months, while a stronger rand has made the import of petroleum products cheaper. The next round of petrol price cuts, following four consecutive months of cuts, will be implemented on Wednesday next week. Data from the Central Energy Fund shows there will be significant cuts to all grades of fuel next week. Petrol 93 is expected to decrease by 110 cents per litre; petrol 95 by 118 cents per litre; diesel 0.05% by 112 cents per litre; and diesel 0.005% by 111 cents per litre. But, these adjustments may turn out to be different next week as the global price of oil can fluctuate, and the rand can strengthen or weaken. However, South Africans are almost guaranteed to see the price of fuel decline next month, with the only question being by how much. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Shaun Jacobs at Daily Investor Nersa publishes Eskom’s request for hefty 36.5% electricity tariff hike for 2026 tariff year The Citizen reports that the National Energy Regulator of SA (Nersa) has officially published Eskom’s multi-year revenue application, which includes hiking up tariffs for direct customers by around 36% next year. Public submissions will be open until 4pm on 1 November on the controversial electricity tariff increases proposed for the next three years. The utility submitted its application to Nersa in August for a proposed 36.15% hike during its 2026 financial year, 11.81% in 2027 and 9.10% in 2028. Eskom’s proposed tariff hike follows an almost 13% hike this April. The hefty proposed increases have already sparking controversy, with the Democratic Alliance (DA) launching a petition calling for the application to be rejected. So far it has garnered more than 103,000 signatures. Nersa said Eskom’s application would be processed following all required procedures, which included assessment for regulatory compliance. The current Eskom application is a revenue requirement that the regulator must consider in line with the Electricity Regulation Act, Multi-Year Price Determination Methodology and stakeholder inputs through the public participation process. The end stage of the revenue requirement is what is termed allowable revenue. Allowable revenue is the amount Eskom will be entitled to recover in each financial year. “It is fundamental to highlight that allowable revenue is not an increase to an individual customer/end-user tariff,” Nersa said. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Faizel Patel at The Citizen. Read too, Nersa publishes Eskom's request for hefty tariff hike, sets public consultation dates, at Fin24 (registration required)
Steenhuisen starts dismissal process after his chief of staff at agriculture department, Roman Cabanac, refuses to resign News24 reports that Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has referred the termination of Roman Cabanac's appointment as his chief of the staff to the department’s human resources officials, after the podcaster refused to resign. Steenhuisen presently does not have a ministry spokesperson, so his DA spokesperson Charity McCord responded to queries about how he would address Cabanac's decision not to resign. She confirmed the minister had "referred the matter to HR to process the termination". She declined to provide any further details on the exact grounds upon which Steenhuisen would seek Cabanac's dismissal. "HR has to process the termination. This is in line with the labour law processes that govern the country," McCord said. On Tuesday, Cabanac denied media reports that he was seeking a "golden handshake" after Steenhuisen asked him to step down, just weeks after he started his new position. "I am obliged to receive a fair and transparent process as per our law. That’s what HR is meant to be doing," he indicated. Steenhuisen initially defended his decision to appoint Cabanac and indicated that he was "fulfilling an internal administrative role managing the staff and processes in the minister's office". But, after being asked to account for the appointment by senior leaders in the Democratic Alliance and facing increasingly strident criticism over Cabanac's pro-Kremlin advocacy, as well as criticism of NGOs as being controlled by foreign interests, Steenhuisen asked his chief of staff to step down. Steenhuisen's decision to go public with his resignation request to Cabanac came a day after the podcaster admitted in an X post that his allegedly bigoted comments on social media were "insensitive" and "simplistic". Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Karyn Maughan at News24 (registration required). Read too, Roman Cabanac ‘refuses’ to resign as Steenhuisen’s chief of staff, at Daily Maverick (registration required)
Gauteng health department spent over R13 million on salaries for nine suspended staffers City Press reports that the Gauteng Department of Health has come under fire for spending more than R13 million on nine staff members who were suspended with full pay in recent years. This revelation was made by Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko in response to questions from DA Gauteng MPL and health spokesperson Jack Bloom in the Gauteng legislature. Among the cases that Bloom drew attention to was that of Advocate Mpelegeng Lebeloane, former chief director of legal services, who received a staggering R4.7 million while on suspension from July 2019 until last year. She was later reinstated, only to retire in July 2024. Bloom criticised the department's handling of these disciplinary matters, calling it “pathetic” and a clear justification for the DA’s call for Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi to remove department head Lesiba Malotana. “The DA stands firmly against prolonged disciplinary processes as it affects the effective running of departments, leading to poor service delivery to citizens. We propose that the period of suspension should not exceed 60 days,” Bloom indicated. Last week, the DA launched a petition urging Lesufi to remove Malotana from his position. The party claims Malotana is embroiled in a corruption scandal and ongoing mismanagement within the provincial health system. By Monday 23 September, the petition, which went live on 18 September, had garnered more than 2,800 signatures. It expresses concern over what the DA describes as "shocking hospital failures" and widespread corruption in the department, specifically calling for Malotana’s dismissal. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Thapelo Lekabe at City Press (subscriber access only)
Emfuleni municipal employees may not get paid on Wednesday due to R8bn Eskom debt News24 reports that thousands of Emfuleni Local Municipality employees, managers and councillors may not be paid their salaries this week, while the municipality awaits a High Court judgment in connection with Eskom's attachment of its four bank accounts over an R8 billion unpaid bill. The judgment is expected to be delivered by Wednesday after the municipality approached the South Gauteng High Court on 19 September on an urgent basis to get Eskom's attachment of its bank accounts lifted. In an internal memo circulated on 19 September, Emfuleni municipal manager April Ntuli informed line managers that, due to Eskom's claim to bank accounts, the municipality was unable to transact or process any payments. He encouraged managers “to engage with your staff and give them an update on the development to avoid misinformation and panic. We assure you that all available avenues are being explored for the upliftment of the accounts and payment of salaries.” On 11 September, Eskom announced that the sheriff of the court had successfully attached Emfuleni's four bank accounts to ensure that the money collected by the municipality for electricity would be paid directly to Eskom. On 31 August, Eskom had indicated that Emfuleni owed it a little over R8 billion for bulk electricity, which represented about 10% of the R82 billion owed to it by municipalities. Emfuleni is among the utility's top three debtors. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tankiso Makhetha at News24
Prasa spent more than R5m in legal fees in its bid to get rid of CEO Zolani Matthews TimesLIVE reports that the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) spent just more than R5m in legal fees in its failed attempt to get rid of its former CEO Zolani Matthews. This was revealed by Transport Minister Barbara Creecy in a written parliamentary reply on Monday. Creecy was responding to a question from EFF MP Nontando Nolutshungu who wanted to know the amount the rail agency spent on its case against Matthews and the measures put in place to ensure there was no repeat of the incident. She said: “The total amount of money spent by Prasa on its legal case against its former CEO, Zolani Matthews is R5,182,365.90 as of September 13. Legal costs incurred by Mr Matthews have not yet been paid as this is quite a lengthy process. The law dictates that legal costs be taxed and this process will commence once Prasa receives the legal bill from Matthews’ attorneys.” Creecy advised that at a strategic planning session with all the entities reporting to her department, she had advised them to adhere to the rule of law and avoid costly legal proceedings where possible. It was reported last month that Prasa fired Matthews for the third time after a Labour Court ruled in his favour. Prasa’s board of control announced it had terminated Matthews’ services and paid him out for the remainder of his contract. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Andisiwe Makinana at TimesLIVE Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Members aged 35 to 44 lead the way in two-pot withdrawals, with more males than females opting to access savings Moneyweb reports that more than three weeks have passed since the two-pot retirement system came into effect and thousands of pension fund members have submitted withdrawal applications to access a portion of their savings. Under the two-pot regime, a third of pension fund members’ retirement savings are now allocated to a savings component, and two thirds of their contributions are allocated to a retirement component. According to both Sanlam Corporate and Momentum Group, there is a notable trend among middle-aged, middle-income individuals opting to withdraw funds. “Notably, our data also shows a higher percentage of males [56%)] withdrawing compared to females [44%], with the 35-44 age group representing the highest percentage of withdrawers,” said Anna Siwiak of Sanlam Umbrella Solutions. Sanlam’s statistics further show that members earning between R15,000 and R40,000 were the most frequent withdrawers. Dumo Mbethe of Momentum Corporate said it initially found that most requests were coming from the 40- to 49-year age group, which made up almost 40% of applications. “It is worrying that individuals who are closer to retirement are withdrawing from the savings pot as they may not have enough time to make up for the shortfall,” he indicated. However, late applications from the 30- to 39-year age group have increased relative to the other age groups – closely reflecting the demographics of national contributors to retirement. Since the launch of the two-pot system, Sanlam has received over 66 000 claims totalling over R1.3 billion. More than 57,000 claims were paid out into members’ bank accounts with R20,000 as the average amount, Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Liesl Peyper at Moneyweb Other internet posting(s) in this news category
SAPS trainee faces expulsion for allegedly absconding from training academy for birthday party in Margate News24 reports that a Gauteng police trainee is in hot water for allegedly absconding from the SA Police Service (SAPS) training academy to celebrate his birthday in Margate, KwaZulu-Natal. Tristan Chowles Chowles was admitted to hospital in Pretoria on 18 September and was discharged the next day. However, he was reported missing at the weekend and a missing person case was opened at the Garsfontein police station as he did not return to the academy, where he is on a nine-month basic policing learning development programme. KwaZulu-Natal police have since found him and have taken him home to his parents. The 23-year-old apparently treated himself to a birthday trip to the resort town because "he knew the SAPS academy would not let him go since he is a trainee". An ATM withdrawal reportedly provided an indication of his whereabouts, leading police to OR Tambo International Airport, where Chowles had allegedly taken a flight to KZN. According to a memorandum signed between the police and trainees before they enter the academy, Chowles' alleged abscondment may result in his immediate expulsion. This may be exacerbated by the police's use of resources to try to locate him. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Candice Bezuidenhout at News24 (registration required)
Corruption case against former acting police commissioner Khomotso Phahlane moved to Pretoria High Court TimesLIVE reports that the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Monday transferred the fraud and corruption case against former acting police commissioner Khomotso Phahlane and his co-accused to the Pretoria High Court for pretrial conferencing on 21 October. Phahlane, Lt-Col Godfrey Mahwayi, Maj-Gen Maanda Obert Nemutandzhela, Maj-Gen Mankosana Agnes Makhele and businessmen Inbanathan Kistiah and Avendra Naidoo are facing charges of fraud, corruption, theft and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act relating to two contracts valued at about R54m. One contract relates to the alleged irregular emergency procurement of software called RIPJAR, which was intended to collect and monitor information from social media platforms on the instigators of the #FeesMustFall student protests. However, these “emergency” response measures came about in December 2016, more than a year after the October 2015 student protests. The other alleged irregular contract relates to the procurement of communication encryption software called Daedalus. All the accused are out on bail. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ernest Mabuza at TimesLIVE
Former VW fleet administrator convicted of 595 charges dies after two months in prison News24 reports that a former Volkswagen fleet administrator, who was convicted of nearly 600 fraud charges in an Eastern Cape court earlier this year, has died after spending only two months in prison. Christo de Jager, 61, was found guilty in March of 594 fraud charges and one corruption charge for defrauding Volkswagen of R12 million over seven years. Correctional Services spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo indicated that De Jager died on Friday at a public hospital after an illness. He did not disclose the nature of the illness. Between 2014 and 2021, De Jager conspired with a company called Autotrust to defraud the car manufacturer by paying out fraudulent invoices for work that had not been done. Autotrust, which had been contracted to do repair work for Volkswagen, submitted the falsified invoices to De Jager, who used his role as an administrator to process the payments. In return, Autotrust gave him regular kickbacks for the money he sent their way. De Jager's fraud was exposed after an internal audit discovered discrepancies in the invoices submitted. In July this year, De Jager was sentenced to five years of direct imprisonment for the string of fraud charges. He received a 10-year sentence for corruption, suspended for five years. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Candice Bezuidenhout at News24
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