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 Thursday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South
African labour-related reports.


COST OF LIVING

Consumer inflation slows for fourth month, further raising interest rate cut prospects

BL Premium reports that consumer inflation slowed in September for the fourth month running, reaching its lowest level since March 2021 as fuel prices continued to fall. This paves the way for another interest rate cut in November.   Annual consumer inflation eased to 3.8% from August’s 4.4%, Stats SA reported on Wednesday. The lower headline rate was driven primarily by transport costs, which fell 1.1% – the first drop in 13 months – after a 2.8% rise the previous month. Lower inflation in the transport sector was mainly the result of lower fuel prices, which fell for a fourth successive month. The average fuel price in August was 9% lower than a year ago, while price increases on vehicles were slower. Food inflation in September remained unchanged from August’s 4.7%.   Meat, bread and cereals, sugar, sweets and desserts, and oils and fats all recorded softer price increases, while fruit, vegetables, cold beverages and fish prices accelerated. While annual consumer inflation was softer, the September consumer price index (CPI) edged up 0.1% on a monthly basis, matching the increase reported in August. KPMG economist Frank Blackmore commented that lower inflation would allow the SA Reserve Bank to reduce interest rates further at its November meeting, potentially by 50 bps, though a 25 bps cut remained more likely.

Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jacob Webster at BusinessLive (subscriber access only). Read too, Inflation dips below 4% for the first time in over three years, bolstering case for interest rate cut, at Moneyweb. En ook, Inflasie sak tot onder 4%, by Maroela Media

Price of average food basket increased by R92.97 in October

Business Report writes that the cost of an average household food basket in October was R5,348.65, which was R92.97 more than the previous month and R51.07 more than a year ago. This was according to the October 2024 Household Affordability Index, which tracks the prices of 44 basic foods from 47 supermarkets and 32 butcheries. “Between May 2024 and August 2024, we saw a slight decrease in the overall cost of the basket but in September we again saw an upwards trajectory in the price of the basket, and this has continued in October. This upward trend is taking place as we see petrol and diesel prices decline, stability of electricity supply, interest rates and CPI headline inflation trending downwards. In such a context we would expect that food prices should have continued its lower trajectory and continued on a downward trend,” the index report noted.   It said that it was incumbent on the food producers and retailers to explain why the prices of certain foods continued to increase, what margins they were working with, and what pressures they encountered. In October, 33 foods increased in price, and 11 foods decreased in price. Of the 17 core foods, 14 increased in price over the past month. These 17 foods cost R2,908.76 in October 2024, and increased by R47.92 (1.7%) over the past month. In relation to the value of social grants and minimum wages, families struggle even to afford these basic foods, and basic hygiene products. The National Minimum Wage (NMW) is currently R27.58 an hour and R220.64 for an 8-hour day. In October 2024, with 23 working days, the maximum NMW was R5,074.72.

Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ashley Lechman at Business Report

Half of Standard Bank account holders are left with R1,000 or less before payday

SowetanLive reports that nearly half of people who receive their salaries monthly have less than R1,000 in their banking accounts or have negative balances by the next payday. This came out of the data of 402,000 accounts analysed by Standard Bank. The bank’s head of personal & private banking, Kabelo Makeke, reported: “The day before payday, 21% had R1,000 or less, while 28% had negative balances or were using overdrafts. Only half had more than R1,000 in their accounts.   Emerging middle-income earners had the highest percentage of customers with less than R1,000 or in the red.   “But private banking customers aren’t exempt either, with one in 10 customers having a negative balance before payday. This trend may also be influenced by the increasing availability of overdraft facilities,” Makeke pointed out. But, he added: “Many customers hold accounts with multiple banks, which can lead to misinterpretations of their financial health. They may be transferring funds to savings accounts elsewhere closer to payday, demonstrating a potential for better financial management.” Makeke noted that customers who spent large portions of their monthly income early in the month were living with no financial cushioning. This left them with little to cover unexpected expenses.   “The challenge of balancing income with lifestyle appears to increase as earnings rise, with more individuals falling into the trap of lifestyle inflation,” Makeke pointed out. He advised people to make small, consistent changes, such as tracking expenses and creating a budget aligned with future goals.

Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sibongile Mashaba at SowetanLive


SALARY TRENDS

Average monthly salary in September at highest level ever

The Citizen reports that monthly average take-home pay reached its highest level yet in September when it surpassed the R17,000 mark.   “The average nominal take-home pay reached R17,171 while in real terms salaries adjusted for inflation tracked higher at R14,969, improving by 5.6% year-on-year,” BankservAfrica’s Shergeran Naidoo reported. The September average salary was the highest level since the inception of the BankservAfrica Take-home Pay (BTPI) series in 2012. Real take-home pay increased by 2.2% in the first nine months of 2024 compared to the full-year average in 2023. In nominal terms this climbed by 6.3%. Economist Elize Kruger pointed out that a trend that has been developing recently, especially in unionised industries, was for companies to enter into longer-term wage agreements for up to five years. “Often, these result in above-inflation outcomes for salary earners and have the added benefit of labour stability and cost certainty for companies. With the average headline inflation forecast to average at 4.5% in 2024 and 2025 compared to 6.0% in 2023, workers locked into these agreements are expected to receive handsome real increases as the lower inflation outcomes are realised,” she argued. While estimates point to an average salary increase of around 6% in 2024, Kruger pointed out that the latest data in Statistics SA’s Quarterly Employment Statistics suggested a somewhat lower average increase for the first six months of the year. “Overall, with 2024 being a year of two distinct halves, the higher levels of economic growth forecasts for the second half of the year could trigger a further uptick in salaries in more sectors towards year-end,” Kruger says.

Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ina Opperman at The Citizen. Read too, Average take-home pay has climbed above R17,000 a month for the first time, at Fin24 (subscription or trial registration required)

And also, Boost for domestic worker salaries, at BusinessTech


OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY

Denosa calls for justice after Limpopo nurse shot dead outside Lebowakgomo Hospital

IOL News reports that the Democratic Nursing Union of SA (Denosa) in Limpopo has called on police to probe the fatal shooting of a Lebowakgomo Hospital nurse, who was killed outside the gate of the hospital on Tuesday night. Limpopo Department of Health spokesperson Kapudi Moagi said the nurse was shot and killed a few metres from the gate of the hospital after getting out of a taxi on her way to work at the hospital. Moagi identified the nurse as Mumsy Seribishane, 52, who was working as an enrolled nursing assistant in the female surgical ward in the hospital.   He said the perpetrator allegedly approached her and shot her on the spot. Denosa’s Lesiba Monyaki reacted: “Denosa is shattered, devastated and saddened by these barbaric acts. This country, and Limpopo in particular, cannot afford to lose a nurse during these critical moments of shortage of staff and increased demand for quality health care.” He called on the police to investigate the motive behind the killing and bring the perpetrator to justice. Meanwhile, the MEC of Health in Limpopo, Dieketseng Mashego, expressed outrage and sadness over the tragic shooting of the nurse.

Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Simon Majadibodu at IOL News. See too, Limpopo nurse shot dead near Lebowakgomo hospital on Tuesday at SABC News

PSA welcomes closure because of poor working conditions of government mortuary in Bloemfontein

TimesLIVE reports that the Public Servants Association (PSA) has welcomed the decision by the Department of Employment & Labour (DEL) to close the government mortuary in Bloemfontein because of failure to meet occupational health and safety (OHS) standards. “This closure highlights the critical need to uphold health and safety regulations to protect employees and the community.   This closure should function as a turning point, prompting immediate reform and the strengthening of OHS standards across all government facilities. It is unacceptable for public servants to be subjected to unsafe working conditions,” the union commented. It said it had repeatedly warned the Free State health department about the blatant disregard for OHS compliance in such facilities. The union said that when the matter was brought to the attention of the head of department, the response had been disappointing as the head cited budget constraints without addressing the legitimate health and safety concerns or the working conditions employees had been forced to endure. Provincial health department spokesperson Mondli Mvambi advised that issues flagged in the prohibition notice included electrical noncompliance, blocked sewer pipes and ventilation and extraction problems. He advised how they were being addressed.

Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ernest Mabuza at TimesLIVE

Two Eastern Cape men sentenced to life imprisonment for raping pregnant e-hailing driver

Cape Times reports that the East London High Court has sentenced two men to life imprisonment for the rape of a pregnant e-hailing driver who later lost her baby. Lloyd King, 29, and Thandobuhle Mndleleni, 20, were convicted of rape and the court further ordered the accused to be registered on the National Register for Sex Offenders. The 25-year-old driver received a request on the Bolt e-hailing app to pick up two passengers shortly after midnight in March 2021. According to NPA spokesperson Luxolo Tyali, she transported the men to King’s residence in Amalinda, where they forced her inside a house and took turns raping her. After she was released, the victim went directly to the nearest police station, reported the attack, and led police officers to the crime scene.   Both accused were arrested shortly thereafter. During the trial, the duo pleaded not guilty, claiming that the encounter had been consensual. However, the state presented evidence including the victim's harrowing testimony, in which she detailed the devastating impact the assault had on her life. At the time of the incident, the victim was two weeks pregnant, and she tragically lost her child three weeks after the attack. Bolt senior operations manager Simo Kalajdzi indicated: “The safety of our driver partners is our top priority, and we have implemented several features, such as an in-app SOS emergency button, trip-sharing functionality, and in-trip audio recording. We continue looking for ways to ensure these incidents don’t occur.”

Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Okuhle Hlati at Cape Times


MEMBATHISI MDLADLANA

Former Labour Minister Mdladlana to be laid to rest this weekend in special official funeral, category 2

EWN reports that the late former Minister of Labour Membathisi Mdladlana will be laid to rest in a special official funeral, category 2, this weekend. Mdladlana passed away last week at his Cape Town home, aged 72. He served as an African National Congress (ANC) member of Parliament (MP) from 1994 and later served as minister under four presidents, including Nelson Mandela, until 2009. Acting President Paul Mashatile made the declaration on Tuesday.   "Acting President Mr Paul Mashatile has declared a special official funeral, category 2, to honour former Minister of Labour and High Commissioner to Canada Mr Membathisi Shepherd Mdladlana," said acting spokesperson Keith Khoza. The national flag will be flown at half-mast around the country until the evening of the funeral on Saturday.

Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Maki Molapo at EWN


MINING LABOUR

Rehabilitation workers at asbestos mines and dump demand justice over neglected medical clearances

SABC News reports that workers who rehabilitated old asbestos mines and dumps at Ga-Mathabatha, outside Lebowakgomo in Limpopo, are calling for justice after being abandoned without proper medical clearances. The workers, employed by Lafata Mechanical Engineering between 2019 and 2022, say the contractor, appointed by the Department of Mineral Resources, failed to provide mandatory exit medical examinations. This has left them concerned for their health due to asbestos exposure. Monare Mahlakwane and Emelia Sethobja, two of the workers involved, claimed: “The contractor did not take us for medical exit examinations which has left us concerned due to the uncertainty of our health status, as we were exposed to asbestos. We might be sick and not even aware as no tests were done. He did not even indicate that he was leaving and he did not pay our salary for the month of August.” But Bethuel Mashiloane of Lafata Mechanical Engineering claimed he did organise medical examinations, but workers refused to attend. He indicated that he would in the coming weeks arrange for new examinations, with transportation for the workers. The Ga-Mathabatha area, home to more than 600 abandoned asbestos mining shafts and dumps, was once a major asbestos producer before mines closed in the 1970s. Asbestos exposure is linked to severe health risks, including lung cancer and mesothelioma.

Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Baatseba Mabowa at SABC News

Other general posting(s) relating to mining

  • Harmony delivers gold recovery project with 30% of building work going to locals, at Mining Weekly


CEO RESIGNATION

Alexforbes Investments CEO Ann Leepile resigns

BL Premium reports that Alexforbes Investments CEO Ann Leepile has resigned, the financial services group informed its clients on Tuesday. Leepile’s notice period will commence in November and group CEO Dawie de Villiers will act in the role until her replacement is found. A permanent appointment will be announced once the recruitment process is completed. The notification does not go into detail on the reasons behind Leepile’s sudden departure. She took office just more than two years ago. Alexforbes Investments is entrusted with more than R400bn of clients’ savings. Before taking over as CEO in February 2023, Leepile held the role of head of global manager research and later deputy chief investment officer at the company.   The group’s note to clients said it had beefed up Alexforbes Investments’ team, with the appointment of Msizi Msomi as portfolio manager and Olwethu Mabumbulu as senior investment analyst.   Leepile’s resignation is the second high-profile resignation in the asset management industry in two months. In September, Khaya Gobodo resigned as MD of Old Mutual Investments. He will relinquish the role at the end of March.

Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Kabelo Khumalo at BusinessLive


‘LOOTING’ DISMISSALS

Pioneer Foods employees exonerated for the third time in dismissals over ‘looting’ from overturned Coca-Cola truck

Pretoria News reports that two employees of Pioneer Foods were cleared for the third time after they were initially fired following newspaper articles which implicated them in the looting of cold drink bottles after a Coca-Cola truck had overturned on a road. The two employees were employed as a driver and a delivery assistant at Pioneer Foods when they came across a Coca-Cola truck that had lost its load on a motorway. Passers-by and other people helped themselves to the bottles on the ground and in the truck. The two employees were charged with having stopped their vehicle (branded SASKO) at the scene and taking part in the looting, thereby putting their employer’s name into disrepute. The two workers claimed that they were driving when they saw the overturned truck and the bottles scattered across the road. According to them, they stopped to help the Coca-Cola driver to pick up the bottles. They claimed that the driver gave them a few bottles containing the beverage to thank them for their help.   Their version was not believed as their employer relied on newspaper reports and they were fired following a disciplinary hearing. The matter went to the CCMA, which ruled that their dismissal was substantively unfair and overturned that finding. Pioneer Foods then unsuccessfully turned to the Labour Court to have the CCMA’s ruling overturned. As it also lost that battle, it turned to the Labour Appeal Court, which also turned down the appeal. During all three hearings, Pioneer Foods relied on newspaper and Facebook hearsay evidence without having laid the basis for admission of such evidence. The court further drew an adverse inference because the Coca-Cola driver was not called to testify and no explanation therefore was given by Pioneer Foods.   It was found that there was nothing wrong in taking the word of the two workers as to what had happened that day, in the circumstances where their versions were uncontroverted and there was no direct evidence of the theft.

Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Zelda Venter at Pretoria News


SIU CORRUPTION PROBES

President authorises SIU to probe allegations of maladministration at Makana Local Municipality

News24 reports that President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorised the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to probe allegations of serious maladministration within the Makana Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape.   The investigation will focus on seven tenders, including the Makana Bulk Sewer Upgrade Phase 1. According to SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago, the Office of the Auditor General of SA flagged several contracts and goods or services procured by the municipality with a transaction value above R200,000 and without the municipality having invited competitive bids. These contracts were for professional engineering services for groundwater development projects, implementing agents for water conservation and demand management, and the reappointment of MBB Consulting for water conservation and demand management. Other contracts that will be investigated are the electrification of the greater Makana and surrounding areas, the 11KV line project, host municipal emails and internet services providers, and the operation and management of the Makana burning landfill site for six months. "The SIU will look at payments made in a manner that was not fair, competitive, transparent, equitable, or cost-effective or in violation of applicable legislation, guidelines, or instructions from the National or Provincial Treasury," Kganyago said. This will include the municipality or the state's unauthorised, irregular, or wasteful expenditure. The probe will also look at any irregular, unlawful, or improper conduct by officials or employees of the municipality, its suppliers or service providers. In a joint statement, Rhodes University, independent schools, businesses, and resident organisations in the Makana Local Municipality welcomed the probe.

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

Other internet posting(s) in this news category

  • Corruption investigations: SIU targets SABC and Makana Municipality, at The Star


COP CRIME

Free State cop handed a suspended sentence for severely assaulting nine-year-old boy with a sjambok

IOL News reports that a Free State police sergeant has been handed a suspended sentence after he was found guilty of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm on a nine-year-old boy. Thabisile Dhlamini, 45, an officer at Reitz police station, was sentenced on Wednesday by the Bethlehem Regional Court. On 27 June 2024, Dhlamini called the victim to his house and assaulted him with a sjambok until he suffered injuries.   Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) spokesperson Phaladi Shuping advised: “His mother was in Mpumalanga at the time of the incident. She came back and found her son with injuries and took him to Phekolong hospital in Bethlehem. Sergeant Dhlamini approached the mother of the complainant and asked her not to open a case and offered to pay the child's medical bill.” Shuping said the boy was later taken to Nketoane hospital for further treatment. When social workers saw the severity of his injuries, they reported the matter to the police. The case was handed over to IPID for investigation. Dhlamini pleaded guilty and was handed a sentence of two years, wholly suspended for a period of five years on condition that he is not found guilty of a similar offence during the period of suspension.   He was further declared unsuitable to work with children.

Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sinenhlanhla Masilela at IOL News

Other internet posting(s) in this news category

  • Lutzville cop granted bail of R2,000 after assault on 13-year-old robbery suspect with a sjambok, at Cape Argus


OTHER REPORTS OF INTEREST

  • With an average of 3,200 ‘two-pot’ claims per day, Old Mutual pays out over R2bn to date, at Moneyweb
  • Home Affairs must follow process in deporting illegal foreigners, at BusinessLive
  • Cosatu urges government to invest in climate-resistant infrastructure, at The Mercury

 


Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page