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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Sea Harvest strike ends with 6.5% wage increase Fin24 reports that after months of failed negotiations and mediation, the Independent Commercial Hospitality and Allied Workers Union (Ichawu) and Sea Harvest’s Viking Fishing Division have finally reached an agreement on a wage increase. This came after union members went on strike on Monday at the Sea Harvest south arm and its airport depot - their second strike in two weeks. The union had demanded an 8% wage increase, cold room and food allowances, and the reinstatement of shares to workers. The company offered 6.5% on the condition that employees end the strike and accept their terms. The union agreed. Wage negotiations began in June this year under the framework of a collective agreement. After three meetings failed to render an agreement, the matter was declared a dispute and referred to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration (CCMA). Despite two CCMA-facilitated mediation sessions, no resolution was reached, resulting in the issuance of a certificate of non-resolution, and the subsequent strikes during November and December. According to Anthea Abraham, group corporate affairs manager at Sea Harvest, there were no disruptions to operations due to the strike. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Aurelia Mouton at Fin24 (subscription or trial registration required)
N3 in Pietermaritzburg temporarily closed after truck crash on Tuesday, two occupants injured The Witness reports that two people were left seriously injured after a truck accident on the N3 southbound near Town Hill, in Pietermaritzburg, on Tuesday. Roland Robertson, from Midlands EMS, said emergency crews were dispatched to the scene after receiving reports of the accident. Upon arrival, paramedics found that the truck had overturned, and two occupants were seriously injured. Robertson said both people received treatment on the scene before being transported to hospital. The N3 southbound, heading towards Durban, near Town Hill, was closed temporarily due to the accident. Authorities were at the scene investigating the cause of the crash. Motorists are advised to exercise caution when travelling on the N3, particularly at Town Hill. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nompilo Kunene at The Witness
Zama zamas send request on Monday for supplies of deodorant roll-on, meat, mayonnaise, tomato sauce and other items IOL News reports that a man who emerged from a disused mine shaft at Stilfontein on Monday had a letter which conveyed several requests from the illegal miners (zama zamas) holed up underground. Some of the requested items in the long list in the letter included mayonnaise, washing powder, tomato sauce, beef, Koo canned beans, soap and deodorants. The letter stated that their relish had been consumed and therefore they were requesting beef and tinned fish. The letter also requested additional portions of rice. The illegal miners furthermore wrote that their paraffin supplies had been depleted and they were requesting more. Last week it was reported that while food was being sent down to the miners at Buffelsfontein gold mine in Stilfontein, the High Court in Pretoria found that the police were in breach of an earlier court order which allowed the community, volunteers, and charitable organisations to provide essentials such as food and water to the miners. Sabelo Mnguni of the Mining Affected Community in Action (Macua) said in an affidavit that the SA Police Service (SAPS) had placed arbitrary limitations on the quantity of food that community members wished to lower down to the trapped miners, as well as the number of times food might be sent down. Certain essential food items, including maize meal, canned fish, and soup, were also not allowed to be lowered down at all without any explanation. Judge Nicolene Janse van Nieuwenhuizen fpund that the SAPS was in breach of her order made on Sunday regarding the type and amount of food and other aid to be delivered to the miners. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jonisayi Maromo at IOL News. Read too, Macua to miners: Basic foods first, mayonnaise and sauce can wait, at TimesLIVE Illegal miner surfaces in Stilfontein on Tuesday with request for more food, tobacco TimesLIVE report that another illegal miner has surfaced at a shaft in Stilfontein, North West, bringing a letter requesting more food supplies and tobacco. The miner was brought to the surface by a community-led rescue team, which resumed its efforts on Tuesday amid the government's stalled efforts. According to Newzroom Afrika, the man was weak and in need of medical support, but only police were present to attend to him. He had a letter from his fellow illegal miners who remained underground. One of the rescuers who assisted with the operation read out the short note, which stated: “Good morning, we hope you are well. We are pleading for BB [pipe tobacco] as well as food, which has run out.” The latest surfacing comes a day after six illegal miners surfaced through the Margaret Water Company shaft at the weekend. This brought the number of retrieved illegal miners in Stilfontein to 1,420 a month into Operation Vala Umgodi at the mine. This total included eight dead bodies. Thousands will not surface for fear of arrest. On 15 November, police minister Senzo Mchunu announced the establishment of a task team — led by North West community safety and transport MEC Wessels Morweng and including mining experts — to conduct a rescue operation. The rescue effort has yet to get under way amid various challenges. Read the original of the report in the above regard by Khanyisile Ngcobo at TimesLIVE Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Gauteng's EPWP Green Army participants face payment delays amid ongoing frustrations The Star reports that frustration is mounting among participants of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) Green Army in Gauteng as over 300 workers report they have not received their monthly stipends for the past three months. A news report last week highlighted the distress faced by these workers who rely on their payments for daily sustenance. Among the affected individuals was a female participant who expressed her dismay by saying: “For the past three months (September, October, and November), we have not been paid. Now it is November, and there is no transparency regarding this. Some of us have heard that an official has used the money. This is affecting all of us who are under the Panyaza project.” Her story encapsulates the anxiety and uncertainty felt by many within this initiative aimed at providing work opportunities and skills development. The Gauteng Government hired 6,000 EPWP Green Army workers in May last year to clean the environment and for waste removal. However, many of them have not paid for three months. In response to the outcry, Blake Mosley-Letafola, head of the environmental department, issued an internal communication on 5 December, assuring participants that efforts were being made to resolve the payment issues. However, the department has faced significant challenges with the payroll process. Mosley-Letafola pointed out that various inaccuracies in data submissions have hindered timely payments. These discrepancies have left approximately 666 participants in limbo regarding their stipends. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Siyabonga Sithole at The Star
Probe launched into SABS maladministration crisis and security breaches BL Premium reports that the Department of Trade, Industry & Competition is investigating allegations of maladministration against some of the executives of the SA Bureau of Standards (SABS), the statutory body that is responsible for product standardisation and quality. DA spokesperson on trade, industry & competition, Toby Chance, expressed alarm at what he said was the “escalating governance crisis and repeated cybersecurity breaches” at the bureau. The department said it had provided SABS executives with the opportunity to respond to the allegations against them, and an internal process of reviewing the responses was under way. “Once the review is completed the department in consultation with the minister will decide whether to initiate a full-blown investigation or not,” an official said. Chance commented: “Over the past several months, serious governance failures at the SABS have come to light, including an illegally constituted board with insufficient members impairing decision-making; a revolving door of acting executives creating accountability gaps and perpetuating dysfunction; allegations of corruption and deliberate organisational destabilisation by senior management; and loss of key laboratory accreditations critical to industry and public safety.” He went on to claim: “Further compounding these issues, a ransomware attack has crippled SABS’s IT systems, leaving operations at a standstill, from certification processes to employee salaries. Alarmingly, whistle-blower reports allege that funds allocated for cybersecurity were misappropriated, and key leadership figures failed to act despite prior warnings.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Linda Ensor at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
More than 2,700 new cops to be deployed nationwide from Thursday ahead of festive season The Witness reports that more than 2,700 new police constables will be deployed nationwide on Thursday, just in time for the holiday season. Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, along with Deputy Ministers of Police Cassel Mathale and Polly Boshielo, will welcome the newly trained constables. They have completed the Basic Police Development Learning Programme (BPDLP), which began in April 2024 and will participate in a parade at various academies on Thursday. Mchunu’s spokesperson Kamogelo Mogotsi sad these newly-trained police officers would be deployed at various police stations across the country to capacitate and boost grassroots level of policing in time for the peak of the busy festive season. The passing out parades will take place simultaneously at various SAPS academies including Tshwane, Bishop Lavis, Graaff-Reinet and Ulundi. Minister Mchunu will officiate at the largest parade comprising 2,066 graduates at SAPS Academy Tshwane on Thursday. Deputy Minister Mathale will officiate at the Western Cape passing-out parade, while Polly Boshielo will officiate at the passing-out parade in KwaZulu-Natal. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Akheel Sewsunker at The Witness
Unfair labour practice ruling against City of Cape Town’s failure to shortlist candidate upheld Cape Times reports that in reviewing an arbitration award, the Labour Court last week stood by the ruling of a SA Local Government Bargaining Council (SALGBC) commissioner that the City of Cape Town committed an unfair labour practice after it “erroneously” shortlisted a candidate and subsequently reversed its decision during the selection process. The City identified a candidate in 2020 deemed suitable for a specific role but later opted to retract that decision. The commissioner found that the employee – who was initially not shortlisted – was subjected to an unfair labour practice relating to promotion by not being shortlisted for the position of Senior Professional Officer (PSO) advertised by the City in September 2020. The commissioner awarded the employee compensation in the amount of R89,324.00, with interest if not paid by 31 January 2021. A City spokesperson said the employee was still employed by the City, but did not indicate whether or not the compensation had been provided. According to submissions made in its review application, the City challenged the commissioner’s decision, citing that there “was no evidence” that could lead to the arbitration decision and award. The City argued that it had a discretion to add additional criteria when shortlisting applicants for the post. Acting Judge Reynaud Daniels ruled: ““I agree with the submissions advanced that she (the applicant) was an eligible employee, who was denied a fair opportunity to compete for the promotional post as different criteria were applied to the candidates in determining who made it into the shortlist.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Chevon Booysen at Cape Times
Table View substitute teacher cleared of using k-word in history lesson Cape Times reports that the Table View High School substitute teacher who was at the centre of a racism storm has been found not guilty. Irate parents spoke out about the incident in July where the white substitute history teacher allegedly used the K-word as part of a Grade 12 history lesson on black consciousness. They accused the school and Western Cape Education Department (WCED) of protecting her over their children’s well-being, questioning why other learners and teachers were suspended pending investigations, but the same action was not taken in this case. In defence over the teacher’s continued presence at school in light of the serious allegations against her, the department reasoned that the school had been monitoring her classroom practice with another teacher present. Eventually the educator was suspended after an investigative report had been finalised with recommendations but this was not made public. A disciplinary hearing process against the teacher commenced in September. The department’s spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said on Monday that taking the evidence presented by both parties, the matter was concluded and the presiding officer found last month that the teacher not guilty. “The teacher, however, is no longer in the employ of the WCED and is now retired. The matter is now concluded,” said Hammond. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Okuhle Hlati at Cape Times Other internet posting(s) in this news category
MyCiTi driver suspended following N2 highway crash on Sunday Cape Argus reports that a MyCiTi bus driver has been suspended following a crash on the N2 highway on Sunday, which resulted in several injuries, including to minors. The scene near Gugulethu saw various paramedics and rescue officials attending to injured commuters. A Strand family was rear-ended by the bus and members of the family sustained injuries. Mayco member for urban mobility, Rob Quintas, said the bus was travelling from Mitchell’s Plain to the Civic Centre. Some passengers sustained minor injuries and were transported to various hospitals for treatment. He said while the City investigated the cause of the crash, the driver had been suspended. “We can confirm that the driver has been charged for reckless and negligent driving, and has been suspended. The investigation will determine the circumstances around this incident. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mahira Duval at Cape Argus
Safa boss Danny Jordaan and co-accused fails to have fraud case struck off the roll The Citizen reports that SA Football Association (Safa) president Danny Jordaan and his co-accused have failed to have their case struck off the roll. Jordaan, alongside Safa chief financial officer (CFO) Gronie Hluyo and businessman Trevor Neethling, appeared before the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Palm Ridge on Tuesday. Jordaan and Hluyo applied to have the case struck off the roll, citing unreasonable delays under Section 342(a) of the Criminal Procedure Act and other reasons. Advocate Norman Arendse, representing Jordaan and Hluyo, also highlighted two ongoing applications before the North Gauteng High Court. The first seeks to set aside the warrants of arrest issued on 4 April, alleging that the investigating officer failed to disclose certain information when securing the warrants from a magistrate. The second application involves an interdict filed by the accused to prevent their arrests. This case was scheduled for 14 November, but Jordaan and Hluyo were arrested the day before the hearing. Magistrate Sheron Soko-Rantao dismissed the Section 342(a) application. Earlier, the state’s application to have Arendse recused from the case over alleged conflict of interest was also dismissed by the magistrate. The case was postponed to 7 February 2025. Jordaan, Hluyo and Neethling have been charged with fraud and theft for allegedly misusing R1.3 million of the association’s funds for personal gain. The three men are currently each out on R20,000 bail. Despite the serious allegations, Jordaan will not be stepping aside, according to Safa. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Molefe Seeletsa at The Citizen. Lees ook, Staat, Saffa-president byt spit af in hof, by Maroela Media Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Sexual harassment complaint hearing against Eastern Cape Judge President set for January GroundUp reports that a Judicial Conduct Tribunal probing a complaint of sexual harassment against Eastern Cape High Court Judge President Selby Mbenenge – the first such case in SA against a sitting judge – will commence early next year. The complaint against Mbenenge, which could result in his impeachment, was laid by Andiswa Mengo, a secretary who works for another judge in the Eastern Cape. The hearing has been set down for 13 to 24 January. But some of the evidence will be led behind closed doors. The tribunal president, retired Judge Bernard Ngoepe, has ruled that the proceedings will be held partly in camera “in the interests of the judiciary”. Evidence relating to the WhatsApp messages, which Judge Mbenenge did not deny the contents of or that they came from him, would be heard in public and could be broadcast live. But evidence relating to messages and pictures which he denied came from him or his cellular phone, and messages and pictures relating to some indecent incidents alleged to have occurred in his chambers, will be held in camera. Judge Mbenenge has been the Judge President of the Eastern Cape since November 2017. The allegations by Mengo relate to alleged unwanted interactions in 2021 and 2022 which Judge Mbenenge gas claimed were consensual. Mengo first filed the complaint in January 2023. Judge Mbenenge has been placed on special leave. However, Judges Matter has criticised that Judge Mbenenge was allowed to go on special leave, instead of being subjected to the usual automatic suspension. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tania Broughton at GroundUp
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