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 roundup of weekend and recent reports,
see summaries of our selection of recent
South African labour-related articles.
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Salaries of Parliament's lowest-paid workers to double over next three years Sunday Times reports that Parliament is set to double the salaries of its lowest-paid workers over the next three years, marking a significant shift in income for this group of employees, which includes cleaners, cooks, and waiter staff. By 2026, the employees concerned will see their annual earnings rise from R170,000 to R340,000, surpassing the typical salaries of entry-level teachers and police officers. This adjustment is the result of negotiations with the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu), which has long advocated for improved pay and benefits for workers in lower pay grades within Parliament. Historically, many of these lower-category workers were employed under cleaning and catering contracts and lacked the benefits of full-time employment. About six years ago, following union pressure, these workers were formally absorbed into parliamentary staff at a base monthly salary of R14,166 per month. With the upcoming salary adjustments, these employees can expect by March 2026 to earn approximately R28,333 per month. The pay increase will be rolled out incrementally. A 10% raise will take effect next month, followed by a 40% increase in April 2024 and a final 50% boost in 2026. The salary alignment effectively eliminates what Parliament describes as an “unjust dual system” and ensures that all entry-level employees, regardless of job category, fall under a uniform pay structure. The increases involve a transition from an X-band pay scale to Parliament’s standard entry-level A-band. Nehawu representative Sthembiso Tembe hailed the move as a long-awaited victory. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Thabo Mokone at Sunday Times (subscriber access only)
New trade union federation calls for truce between MK Party and its ex-MPs Sunday Tribune reports that the newly-formed trade union federation, the Radical Action Federation of Trade Unions (Raftu), which is aligned to the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), has expressed sympathy with a group of former Members of Parliament (MPs) who lost their jobs with the party. The former MPs have claimed that they have been deprived of their livelihoods after resigning from their previous jobs to serve their constituents, only to be ousted shortly after their swearing-in as MPs following the 29 May general election. At least 10 of the 18 MPs who lost their seats have gone to court over what they describe as unfair treatment by the MKP leadership. They have asked the Johannesburg High Court to freeze MKP's bank accounts and that of former President Jacob Zuma as they prepare to sue for compensation over their loss of income. According to court papers, the MPs were promised a monthly salary of R102,000 once sworn in, but their sudden recall has thrust them into financial chaos. Some had resigned from stable positions, including teaching and other professional positions, to fulfil their parliamentary duties. Raftu treasurer-general Mlu Zondi, said: "We believe that such things should be discussed and be resolved because there should be a way to look after their livelihood since they resigned from teachers and other professional duties." But Zondi said that, while Raftu supported reconciliation between the MKP and the former parliamentarians, the federation was not involved in the issue, as it was an internal party matter. The ex-MPs have required the respondents to submit opposing papers by 15 November. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Bongani Hans at Sunday Tribune Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Alleged hitman arrested for the murder in August of Richards Bay Minerals contractor News24 reports that an alleged hitman linked to the murder of a contractor at a Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) mine was arrested last week. According to police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, Halalisani Nchunu was arrested by a SA Police Service (SAPS) task team, which had been deployed to investigate the theft of minerals as well as the murders of executives and businessmen at RBM. Mathe said the arrest of Nchunu, 27, was a major breakthrough in the investigation into the murder of RBM contractor and prominent businessman Sipho Zwelethamba Masuku Mathe said the task team had traced Nchunu to Gauteng. "Nchunu was found with a 9mm pistol and three AK47s, one of which has already been linked to the murder of the businessman. Nchunu has already appeared in the Richards Bay Magistrate's Court on a charge of murder, attempted murder and possession of unlicenced firearms," Mathe reported. Masuku was murdered on 9 August 2024 in Meerensee, Richards Bay. He was found in his Toyota Fortuner, which was riddled with bullets. A passenger in the vehicle was also shot, but survived. Mathe said the task team was hot on the heels of others believed to be involved in the murder. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sakhiseni Nxumalo at News24 (subscription or trial registration required). Lees ook, Deurbraak gemaak ná moord op Richardsbaai-sakeman, by Maroela Media Other labour / community posting(s) relating to mining
Numsa slams retrenchments by ArcelorMittal ahead of festive season BL Premium reports that the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) says it is consulting its legal team following a decision by steel producer ArcelorMittal SA (Amsa) to retrench 107 workers. The union was due to hold a general meeting at the weekend “to determine the way forward on this vicious attack on our [work] benefits and conditions [of employment]”. Numsa’s Sedibeng regional secretary, Kabelo Ramokhathali, said: “Amsa has decided to retrench 107 workers. We concluded a section 189A process [dealing with retrenchments] which began in August of this year. We did not agree with the company’s rationale for the retrenchments because we are not convinced that the only option is job cuts. Only a cruel and uncaring management can toss workers out into the sea of unemployment just before Christmas, and this is why they must be strongly condemned.” In August, Amsa served Numsa with a section 189A notice of its intention to close the coke-making battery section 6 and 7, claiming that the batteries “are at the end of their life and cannot be repaired or restored any more”. Ramokhathali indicated: “Numsa does not agree with retrenchments as the solution. We think that Amsa has not fully disclosed all the information which can help us to save these jobs. We are told there are vacancies in other parts of the plant. We want full disclosure so we can find alternatives for these workers.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
DA wants more environmental health practitioners to be employed to prevent food poisoning incidents TimesLIVE reports that the Democratic Alliance (DA) said on Sunday that the recent cases of food poisoning that have claimed the lives of several children highlighted the lack of sufficient environmental health practitioners (EHPs) to inspect food sold by vendors and spaza shop owners. The lack of sufficient EHPs – responsible for enforcing health standards, educating businesses and conducting inspections – posed a serious risk to public safety, the party noted in a statement. The DA said according to the World Health Organisation and SA’s own national environmental health policy, there should be one EHP for every 10,000 people. “The latest figures show that South Africa has only 1,712 EHPs, a fraction of the 6,203 required for adequate coverage,” the DA pointed out. It said unless underlying issues were addressed, food poisoning incidents would become more frequent, posing a constant threat to vulnerable populations, particularly young children. “It is imperative that the government prioritises the recruitment and deployment of EHPs across all provinces, especially in high-density areas, to safeguard public health,” the DA emphasized. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at TimesLIVE Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Deputy Minister Dr Mimmy Gondwe advocates for private sector partnerships in TVET colleges The Mercury reports that Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Dr Mimmy Gondwe, has called for corporations to forge partnerships with Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions to improve employment accessibility, especially for rural students. She was speaking during a visit to Elangeni TVET College’s Pinetown campus on Thursday. The deputy minister, who oversees work-based learning programmes in TVET and Community Education and Training (CET) colleges, expressed her belief in the power of TVET institutions to help address SA’s unemployment crisis. Her visit included meetings with faculty, management and students to discuss both the achievements and obstacles faced by the college community. Highlighting the importance of relevant skills, she said: “I am very passionate about seeing learners get out of the system and get employment. That is why it is imperative for us as a sector to ensure that the skills that the learners get are demanded by the economy.” To enhance these opportunities, Gondwe said she aimed to foster closer relationships with private industry leaders to ensure that TVET graduates had access to job prospects within SA’s evolving economy. Gondwe has already initiated partnerships with prominent corporations like Old Mutual to improve employment accessibility for rural students. The Deputy Minister is also in talks with a leading ICT company to expand collaboration into future skills training. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Siphesihle Buthelezi at The Mercury Other internet posting(s) in this news category
eThekwini human capital deputy city manager accused of faking qualifications Sunday Independent reports that the eThekwini metro is currently involved in a legal battle with its Deputy City Manager of Corporate and Human Capital, Kim Makhathini, after it was revealed that she misrepresented her qualifications to secure her position. The matter arose after the City Integrity Committee Investigations Unit (CIIU) and the Hawks found that Makhathini had faked her qualifications when she applied for the position of head of human resources in 2014. Makhathini recorded that she had a Master of Arts in Social Science degree obtained from the University of Glasgow and a National Diploma in Human Resources obtained from Damelin. However, an internal report by the CIIU in March 2023 found that she did not possess the Damelin diploma, while her Glasgow Master’s degree, which is only equivalent to a Bachelor Degree in Social Sciences in SA, could not be verified as Makhatini refused to sign a consent form allowing the verification process as required by the University of Glasgow. Makhathini was appointed Head of HR on 1 November 2014, with the minimum requirement being a “relevant bachelor degree, relevant postgraduate qualification, and seven years’ experience at the management level, of which two years must be at the senior management level”. eThekwini’s communications manager, Mduduzi Ncalane, would not comment on the matter since it was still in court. He explained that the city had followed all internal procedures until the issue was addressed during a municipal council meeting before the matter was escalated to court. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Thabo Makwakwa at Sunday Independent NPA spokesperson shakes off fake qualifications concerns Sunday World reports that National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Bulelwa Makeke has been cleared of allegations of unethical conduct for possibly misrepresenting her qualifications. But, sources in the agency claim that the probe was a whitewash. Makeke stated in her curriculum vitae that she held a diploma in public relations management from the Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa (Prisa), which later proved to be a certificate for a two-week course. While Makeke explained the discrepancy as an error, disgruntled insiders in the NPA have questioned why she committed the same mistake twice. When concerns about her qualifications were raised in 2023, she allegedly submitted the same curriculum vitae for vetting. According to the NPA’s integrity management unit report, dated 14 October, Makeke had not in any way disputed that the public relations management diploma that Prisa had issued to her was not a diploma. Director for fraud, corruption and investigation Milton Ntshehi indicated: “An element of dishonesty to present the certificate as a primary qualification could not be established, and in fact the evidence revealed that the certificate in question, which was erroneously captured as a diploma, was brought into the picture as a supplementary qualification for her bachelor’s degree and the vast communication and managerial skills and expertise. So, the bachelor’s degree and experience stood her in good stead; otherwise, without them, her eligibility would have been put into question.” When asked about the error’s repetition in 2023, Makeke explained, “I have simply never needed to go back and review my CV back that far.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Setumo Stone at Sunday World
Safa president Danny Jordaan and CFO Gronie Hluyo to appear in court on Wednesday for alleged fraud City Press reports that SA Football Association (Safa) president Danny Jordaan is expected to appear in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court in Katlehong on Wednesday. The Safa boss faces widespread allegations of maladministration and abuse of the association’s money for personal gain. According to sources with close knowledge of developments, Jordaan will be in the dock alongside Safa chief financial officer (CFO) Gronie Hluyo and Trevor Neethling, a director of an agency that the president allegedly contracted unlawfully. Neethling is the sole director of Grit Communications, a public relations firm that Jordaan hired, allegedly to clean up his image after he was accused of rape in 2017. Musician and former ANC MP Jennifer Ferguson laid the charge against Jordaan, alleging that he had raped her in a hotel in Gqeberha 24 years earlier. In 2022, the NPA decided not to prosecute Jordaan for the alleged rape. Jordaan allegedly signed the contract with Grit Communications himself, despite strong objections from then-CEO Dennis Mumble. Mumble apparently argued at the time that this was Jordaan’s matter that should not be defended using Safa money. The Hawks launched an investigation after former Safa vice-president William Mooka laid fraud and theft charges against Jordaan two years ago. Mooka claimed at the time that Jordaan had used R1.3 million of Safa’s money for his gain and without authorisation. In March, the Hawks raided the Safa headquarters in Nasrec, Johannesburg. According to Safa CEO Lydia Monyepao, Grit Communications was contracted to safeguard the good name and reputation of Safa. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tiisetso Malepa at City Press (subscriber access only) Joburg mayor Dada Morero fires his fraud-accused predecessor Kabelo Gwamanda as MMC News24 reports that the former mayor of Johannesburg, Kabelo Gwamanda, who is accused of running a funeral policy scam, has been sacked from the city’s executive. On Saturday evening, the current Joburg mayor, Dada Morero, announced that Gwamanda had been "released" from his position as MMC for Community Development. Before his MMC stint, Gwamanda had served as mayor. He was replaced by Morero. Gwamanda had been placed on special leave after he was arrested last month over allegations of fraud. He is alleged to have run a funeral policy scam in 2011, in which residents of Soweto were defrauded. In a statement, Morero's spokesperson, Chris Vondo, said the decision to discharge Gwamanda was effective immediately. He added that it was aimed at ensuring that service delivery remained uninterrupted. Morero has appointed Patriotic Alliance councillor Tebogo Nkonkou as the new MMC for Community Development. Gwamanda, who is a member of the Al Jama-ah party, will now be an ordinary member of the council. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jason Felix at News24. Read too, Joburg DA wants all of fraud-accused Gwamanda's agreements probed, at EWN Acting Joburg Market CEO Sello Makhubela facing charges of fraud relating to Rustenburg lighting contract The Citizen reports that the recent appointment of Sello Makhubela as acting CEO of Joburg Market has been overshadowed by allegations of fraud related to a municipal contract in Rustenburg. The revelation sparked fresh criticism about the City of Johannesburg’s vetting and oversight processes when appointing people to critical public roles. At the time of his appointment in April, Makhubela was the chief operating officer at the Joburg Market. He now faces four counts of fraud related to a high mast lighting contract awarded by the Rustenburg municipality to his company. He will appear in the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday, alongside co-accused Obakeng Mokgale and Orebotse Tlale. They are out on R30,000 bail each. Investigations by the municipality revealed that the contract was awarded to Makhubela’s company, which is accused of submitting fraudulent invoices totalling more than R1.7 million for services not rendered. Mokgale and Tlale reportedly went ahead and awarded the contract to Makhubele’s company despite notices of noncompliance. The accused allegedly signed procurement documents pretending the services were completed to process payments. ActionSA has written to the MMC for economic development and the city manager, demanding a comprehensive report on Makhubele’s employment records and the vetting procedures conducted prior to his appointment. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Thando Nondywana at The Citizen Other internet posting(s) in this news category
‘Teachers not meant to turn pupils 'into lovers', but 65 axed in 18 months for sexual misconduct News24 reports that 65 teachers were booted out of the profession between April last year and last month after they were found guilty of sexual misconduct. The Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) confirmed that the names of the 65 teachers, who were declared unsuitable to work with children following hearings, were submitted to the Department of Social Development for inclusion in the National Child Protection Register. Another entity, the SA Council for Educators (SACE), struck 16 teachers off the register indefinitely after finding them guilty of sexual misconduct in April last year and March 2024. "This is despicable because teachers are meant to educate our children, not turn them into lovers," said Professor Chika Sehoole, the dean of the education faculty at the University of Pretoria. A total of 1,824 misconduct cases were reported to the basic education department by the nine provincial education departments for the period April 2023 to March 2024, including 159 for sexual misconduct and 716 for corporal punishment and assault. ELRC general secretary Dr Cindy Foca pointed out that it was the responsibility of the departments to ensure sexual misconduct cases involving teachers were reported to the police. "They are obliged to do that in terms of Section 54 of the Criminal Law [Sexual Offences and Related Matters] Act," she said. However, one of the ELRC’s challenges was they "cannot confirm with certainty that teachers found guilty of sexual misconduct are indeed reported to SAPS". In the latest case, a female teacher was fired from Gariep High School in the Northern Cape after she was found guilty of having sex with a 15-year-old Grade 9 boy. The woman's dismissal takes effect on Monday. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Prega Govender at News24 (subscription or trial registration required)
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