Today's Labour News

newsThis 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.

news shutterstockIn our roundup of weekend and recent reports,
see summaries of our selection of recent
South African labour-related articles.


TOP STORY

A surge in violent crime is threatening jobs and businesses

Mail & Guardian reports that South Africans are facing a surge in brutal crimes, with rising cases of gender-based violence (GBV), assault and kidnapping threatening lives, livelihoods and the fabric of communities. This was among the findings of the 2024 Violence Survey released by RCS in partnership with BNP Paribas and the Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative (WPDI) last week, which found that respondents had increasing concerns about their personal safety and deepening violence across the country. The study, which explores the impact of violence on vulnerable communities and its effect on business operations, surveyed individuals from violence-affected communities in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape, as well as corporates across a wide range of sectors, including services, construction, retail, hospitality, financial and manufacturing. WPDI’s Siphathisiwe Dhlamini said there had been a decrease in the number of crimes in 2024, but an increase in the severity of violence. According to the survey, the ripple effect of violence on employees is constraining businesses. Almost half of corporate respondents (46%) reported that community violence was a major contributing factor to employee absenteeism, while 67 said absenteeism hampered business productivity. In addition, 25% of corporate respondents said absenteeism hampered employee career growth.   However, there were notable decreases in the number of corporates who believed that community violence affects employee “presenteeism” (where staff are present at work but not focused due to distress), well-being and career growth. RCS human resources executive Sandy Richardson said this softening might suggest that the impact was being underestimated or that businesses were adapting. There was a 10% decline in the number of corporations who said they were actively taking steps to assist employees living in violent areas (from 72% in 2023 to 62% in 2024). Richardson said that while businesses appeared to be doing less, many maintained consistent initiatives focused on staff transport, accommodation and counselling, including psychological and emotional support.

Read the full original of the informative report in the above regard by Lyse Comins at Mail & Guardian


OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY

Joburg’s City Power probes circumstances that led to death of two technicians working in tunnel

TimesLIVE reports that City Power is investigating the circumstances that led to the death of two contract technicians who died on Saturday while replacing stolen cables in an underground tunnel.   Johannesburg emergency services spokesperson Nana Radebe-Kgiba reported that emergency service personnel had responded to a report about five contract workers trapped in a tunnel. Three were rescued and transported to nearby medical facilities while the other two died. City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena confirmed the trapped workers were employees of one of their contractors who were replacing stolen cables in tunnels along Commissioner and Von Brandis Street in the CBD. Saturday was their second day working underground. “As City Power, we are deeply saddened by the devastating incident. It's not clear at this stage what the cause of the incident was, but City Power, along with all relevant authorities, are conducting investigations into the circumstances that led to this fatal incident,” he indicated.

Read the original of the short report in the above regard at TimesLIVE

Mpumalanga employee mauled to death by employer's pit bull in early hours of Friday

TimesLIVE reports that police in Mpumalanga have opened an inquest after a 58-year-old man was allegedly mauled to death by his employer’s pit bull. According to police spokesperson Col Donald Mdhluli, the incident happened in Marapyane, Mmametlhake in the early hours of Friday. The man apparently lived on his employer’s property and took care of his pit bulls. The dogs are believed to have been often locked up and only released between 1am and 4.30am to patrol the premises. “It is believed the man went for an outing on Thursday and probably as he returned to his accommodation in the early hours of Friday, it is suspected that he was attacked by the dog, resulting in his death,” Mdhluli indicated. He said the deceased was discovered by a security guard lying motionless on the ground with multiple injuries and a pit bull next to him. “The employer was notified and reported the matter to the authorities. On arrival at the scene, they found him motionless, lying on the ground with some visible injuries on his body. He was certified dead by the medical personnel.   The report indicates that the SPCA put down the dog in question on Saturday,” Mdhluli stated.

Read the original of the short report in the above regard at TimesLIVE. Lees ook, Werknemer glo deur pitbull doodgebyt, by Maroela Media

Senior Mangaung Metro water engineer shot dead in apparent hit

News24 reports that Free State police are on the hunt for a suspect who shot and killed a senior manager of the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality last Wednesday. Luzuko Ntlabezo, who was employed at the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, was shot while leaving his office. Police spokesperson Captain Loraine Earle said the 48-year-old was in his car with a colleague when they were attacked. "An unknown shooter approached the car and allegedly fired shots on the driver's side. Police found four empty cartridges near the car. The 48-year-old was declared dead at the scene. His colleague escaped being wounded, however, he received treatment for shock," Earle reported. Municipal spokesperson Qondile Khedama indicated: "The information at our disposal is that Mr Ntlabezo was allegedly followed after he left his office and was ultimately shot outside the regional office.” Ntlabezo was an experienced water engineer who joined the municipality in 2012. "He was always available and went beyond the call of duty to assist those who required assistance," said City Manager Sello More.

Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lisalee Solomons at News24 (trial registration required)

Other internet posting(s) in this news category

  • Six ways to deal with workplace bullies, at The Citizen
  • Can a company to be held liable for employee’s suicide? at The Citizen


MEMBATHISI MDLADLANA

Ramaphosa honours former labour minister Membathisi Mdladlana, who died on Friday, as a leadership pioneer

The Citizen reports that former Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana died on Friday at the age of 72. According to family spokesperson Mayibuye Sokupe, Mdladlana died at his Cape Town home earlier in the day after struggling to breathe.   He indicated: “[He had] no illness to mention; it was old age. He had problems with breathing here and there. He passed away early this morning after having his breakfast while watching TV, but he was not sick.” President Cyril Ramaphosa said Mdladlana’s death was a loss to his family and friends and the nation, noting further that he was one of the pioneers who provided leadership “at a time of great repression by the state and growing resistance by the people.” The Democratic Alliance said Mdladlana’s contributions to the development of SA’s Constitution and service in government during the infant stages of democracy will be remembered. The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation called him an important figure in building the SA Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) and advocating for the rights of educators.   Mdladlana headed up the Labour Ministry from July 1998 to 2009. Before that, he served as chairperson of Parliament’s Constitutional Assembly Committee from 1994 to 1996, a member of the Home Affairs Portfolio Committee from 1994 to 1998, and a member of the National Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Education from 1994 to 1998.

Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Kyle Zeeman & Chulumanco Mahamba at The Citizen. Read too, Former Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana dies aged 72, at EWN


PUBLIC SECTOR WAGE NEGOTIATIONS

Nehawu slams Western Cape government’s nil wage increase stance as 'anti-working class'

News24 reports that the National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu), SA’s largest public sector union, has criticised the Western Cape government for its stance on the ongoing wage negotiations at the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council. At the provincial government's cabinet meeting last Wednesday, it was resolved to support a 0% wage increase for public servants and politicians for the next three financial years. Premier Alan Winde explained that, given SA’s severely constrained financial environment, current proposals by labour unions were unaffordable and would have a detrimental impact on provinces.   Public sector union leaders are pushing for a 12% wage increase for 1.3 million government workers, along with other demands, such as a R2,500 housing allowance, a R1,000 danger allowance, performance bonuses, bursary schemes, and permanent positions for certain workers. The national government has tabled a 3% increase. Winde said: "Trade unions should be realistic and consider the country's difficult fiscal situation. Continuous above-inflation wage increases are unaffordable. We are experiencing the impact of the 2023/24 salary adjustments on our core services.” On Friday, Nehawu lashed out at Winde's remarks, indicating that it viewed the statement of this "anti-working class government as nonsensical and an attempt to influence the employer to advance the long-held view of the DA that public servants are highly paid". Nehawu called on the government mandating team “to ignore the nonsensical views by this white boys choir, calling for the state not to increase salaries of public servants as it is a position of the privileged few."

Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Marvin Charles at News24 (subscription or trial registration required)


NATIONAL SKILLS FUND

MPs join DA in calling for SIU probe into National Skills Fund

Sunday World reports that Parliament’s portfolio committee on higher education wants President Cyril Ramaphosa to sign a proclamation that will instruct the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to probe the National Skills Fund (NSF). The request comes after the NSF’S presentation to the standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) on Tuesday showed lapses in its administration and signs of grave financial and organisational mismanagement. The committee’s chairperson, Tebogo Letsie, believes the investigation should focus on finding out if due processes have been followed in funding projects and probe whether entities have indeed completed work they have been sponsored for. “The NSF was created to develop the skills development shortages we have as a country, to re-skill and upskill our people. We have one of the highest unemployment rates in the world and then we have people who have so many resources to respond to this problem and they are not doing it. So, we are appealing to them to say, if they are not fit enough to help us as a country, we are asking them to leave the entity,” he commented. The DA’S Désirée van der Walt earlier in the week insisted that Ramaphosa could no longer turn a blind eye to the maladministration at the NSF. “The president must act now and issue a proclamation authorising the SIU to investigate the National Skills Fund. Only through the SIU’S statutory powers can we get to the bottom of the NSF’S financial mismanagement and ensure accountability. The future of skills development and the credibility of public institutions depend on it,” she said. The committee slammed the entity for its poor audit outcomes, which were part of the Scopa presentation.

Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Queenin Masuabi on page 10 of Sunday World of 20 October 2024


NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE

Medical specialists launch legal action against constitutionality of NHI Act

BL Premium reports that SA’s largest association of medical specialists has started legal action against the National Health Insurance (NHI) Act, so adding to the mounting pressure on President Cyril Ramaphosa to reconsider the controversial legislation. The SA Private Practitioners Forum (SAPPF) filed its application in the Pretoria High Court in on 1 October and asked the court to review and set aside the President’s decision to sign the NHI Act into law, and to declare it invalid. This is the third legal attack on the Act, which has already been challenged by trade union Solidarity and the Board of Healthcare Funders, a medical scheme industry association. Several other organisations representing doctors, medical schemes and private hospitals have indicated that they are preparing legal action, while organised business, represented by Business Unity SA, is lobbying hard for Ramaphosa to review the Act. The SAPPF represents about 3,000 specialists and 1,500 other healthcare professionals, including general practitioners. “It is important that people know that healthcare professionals are concerned,” said SAPPF CEO Simon Strachan.   It is the SAPPF’s argument that in signing the Act, the President failed to discharge his constitutional duties. Since numerous stakeholders and parliament’s own legal adviser had raised concerns about the constitutionality of the NHI Bill when it was before parliament, the President must have been aware of these shortcomings, and signing it was “irrational, for an ulterior purpose, or tainted by the consideration of irrelevant factors,” claimed Strachan in his founding affidavit.

Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tamar Kahn at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)


PETROSA CEO SUSPENSION

Suspended PetroSA CEO was warned on project delays

Business Times reports that the Central Energy Fund (CEF) sent communications to its subsidiary PetroSA in August warning it would withdraw financial support for key projects due to a lack of implementation progress. This is believed to be one of the reasons PetroSA’s board placed CEO Xolile Sizani on suspension, pending an investigation. It is understood there were numerous clashes between the PetroSA board and Sizani during his eight-month stint over the matter and other issues, including his crafting of a new executive structure not approved by the board. Sources said the board was unhappy with what they considered gross underperformance by the CEO and had even delayed converting his probation period into a permanent appointment. Sizani’s suspension comes as PetroSA continues to struggle with a number of its operational goals. In an e-mail from Sizani addressed to an official of the CEF, he asks for more time to consult with the PetroSA board after the CEF warned in an earlier e-mail that the oil and gas company risked having financial support withdrawn due to “a lack of progress and seriousness on executive on the part of PetroSA”. PetroSA has about 12 projects that together require billions of rands, including the establishment of the Mossel Bay special economic zone, a biofuel development project and the reinstatement of the gas-to-liquid refinery in Mossel Bay. Of these, half did not have a finalised budget. Briefing parliament’s portfolio committee on Friday evening, CEF chair Ayanda Noah said investigations into the circumstances behind Sizani’s suspension were ongoing and the group would update the committee in due course.

Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Khulekani Magubane at Business Times (subscriber access only)


ALLEGED FRAUD / WORKPLACE CRIME

Former Joburg mayor Kabelo Gwamanda, who is now MMC for community development, arrested for alleged funeral policy scam

TimesLIVE reports that former Johannesburg mayor Kabelo Gwamanda has been arrested in connection with an alleged funeral policy scam that he ran in Soweto more than a decade ago. According to the warrant of arrest, Gwamanda, who is now MMC for community development, was arrested after a victim of his alleged scam opened a case at Protea Glen police station. Gwamanda is alleged to have conned unsuspecting Soweto residents in a scheme in which they made monthly payments for funeral insurance.   A Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) investigation last year revealed that Gwamanda, who is an Al Jama-ah councilor, operated the illegal business in 2012 and then disappeared when his clients sought their money. The victim, who opened the case against Gwamanda in January, told the police she took out a funeral policy with Gwamanda’s company, Ithemba Lama Afrika.   However, when she went to visit their offices she found that the company had moved.   “She did her own investigation and found other victims. She was told that the two directors had committed suicide after failing to pay money back to investors. Investors were under the impression that both directors had died, only to see one suspect appearing on TV as the mayor of Johannesburg,” reads the police report.   A warrant of arrest for Gwamanda was issued in May but he was in Brazil. He promised to meet the investigating officer upon his return, but he failed to do so. Gwamanda handed himself over on Friday.

Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Kgothatso Madisa at BusinessLive

Employees in Mpumalanga probed for deliberate sabotage of ambulances

Sunday World reports that Mpumalanga authorities are investigating shocking claims that some workers within the Department of Health have been deliberately causing damage to ambulances, rendering them unfit for use. Apparently, VW service centre mechanics raised the alarm when ambulances were brought in for routine repairs displayed signs of deliberate tampering.   The mechanics noticed consistent, inexplicable faults – ranging from punctured radiator pipes to contaminated fuel systems, which could not be attributed to regular wear and tear.   The mechanics “also discovered brake fluid reservoirs contaminated with oil, potentially rendering the brakes useless –an act that could be deadly”. Electrical systems had critical fuses removed, leaving ambulances inoperable until they were towed to service centres. In one instance a radiator pipe was found punctured with precision, risking total engine failure. Among the most alarming reports was the discovery of ambulances running without water in their radiators, a move that could lead to catastrophic engine overheating. “Seatbelts were also tampered with, causing further delays and costly repairs,” said the insider. Mpumalanga health spokesperson Dumisani Malamule confirmed they were investigating allegations of deliberate sabotage to the department’s vehicles. “The outcomes of the investigations will guide the department in dealing with the individuals involved, and other processes will follow,” said Malamule, who did not go into specifics regarding the investigation. The Public Service Commission promised to investigate once the matter came to its attention.

Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tshwarelo Mogakane at Sunday World


ALLEGED COP CRIME

Limpopo cop, her daughter and sister accused of killing for insurance payouts remain in custody

IOL News reports that the case against a police woman, her daughter and her sister, arrested on charges of allegedly running a murder for insurance money payment racket, has been postponed until later this month for bail applications. Police arrested Sergeant Rachel Kutumela on 10 October. On Thursday, police added the names of Annah Shokane and Madjadji Flora Shokane to the docket. The trio face multiple charges, including murder, money laundering, receiving proceeds from unlawful activities, fraud, and defeating the ends of justice. The National Prosecuting Authority's Mashudu Dzhangi said the police officer allegedly took out life and funeral insurance policies for a number of victims, as far back as 2019, and has claimed R10 million as the sole beneficiary. "The payouts were made by various service providers, including ABSA, Standard Bank, Capitec, Hollard, Assupol, Old Mutual, Onelife, and Clientele. Kutumela is accused of sharing the proceeds with her sister and daughter," she said. Investigations have revealed that in some instances, insured individuals were found dead in various locations. "In one instance, a woman was burned in her shack, while in another, a disabled man was discovered drowned in a dam. Authorities have indicated that further arrests may follow," Malabi Dzhangi indicated. The case was postponed to 30 and 31 October and 1 November for bail applications. The accused will remain in custody until their next appearance.

Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Se-Anne Rall at IOL News

Other internet posting(s) in this news category

  • Wes-Kaap konstabel vas wat gevangenes van dwelms, selfone voorsien, by Maroela Media


OTHER REPORTS OF INTEREST

  • Household food insecurity rises as prices and personal debt soar, at Mail & Guardian
  • Nedlac gesprek oor Bela ‘vorder goed’, by Maroela Media
  • The only way to fix municipalities is to 'disbar' unscrupulous municipal managers, says Salga, at News24 (subscription or trial registration required)

 


Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page