In our Wednesday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South
African labour-related reports.
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Jobless Eastern Cape doctors picket outside premier's office News24 reports that unemployed doctors in the Eastern Cape, who studied through taxpayer-funded bursaries, have vowed to continue picketing outside the Office of the Premier in Bhisho until there is an undertaking to hire them. The medical practitioners, including general practitioners and dentists, have been picketing outside Premier Oscar Mabuyane's office since Monday. This was after a circular from the Eastern Cape Department of Health instructed that post-community service personnel needed to be released from their duties on 31 December due to a lack of funds. On Tuesday, scores of unemployed doctors held placards and sang songs at the entrance of Mabuyane's office. They came from all corners of the province and claimed there were about 150 of them who were unemployed – some for more than a year. Dr Ntombizanele Takayi, 32, who completed her community service programme at the Dora Nginza Hospital in Gqeberha, said they were disappointed when the provincial health department told them there was no money to hire them. "This happens while there is a crisis in public hospitals in the Eastern Cape. The actual ratio of doctor-to-patient is 1:1,000. Where I was based (Dora Nginza), the actual waiting period for a patient to see a doctor is 16 hours. This is very frustrating and disheartening.” The SA Medical Association said it was "deeply concerned about the alarming number of junior doctors who remain unemployed despite completing their community service, with over 1,800 doctors reported to be affected nationwide". The Democratic Nursing Organisation of SA’s (Denosa’s) Sivuyile Mange said the shortage of doctors and nurses was negatively impacting healthcare services in the province. Mange added: “We are making calls that the health department be exempted from austerity measures implemented by the National Treasury.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sithandiwe Velaphi at News24 (subscription / trial registration required) Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Traditional healer gunned down during consultation in his room at Pietermaritzburg hotel The Witness reports that a Pietermaritzburg traditional healer was gunned down on Friday during a consultation, allegedly by someone who posed as a client. Mthokozisi Majozi (54) was in his room, which he rented at the back of Kismet Hotel property in Pietermaritzburg, when the incident occurred at around 3pm. According to a source, the person arrived at Majozi’s room and they greeted as if they knew one another. They both entered Majozi’s room, which he used for his business and closed the door. “A few minutes later, gunshots were heard. The ‘client’ was then seen fleeing the scene on foot,” the source reported. Majozi was found lying on his stomach in a pool of blood and had gunshot wounds to the top of his head, chest and abdomen. The hotel owner Ronnie Kisten said he was shocked at the news of Majozi’s death after speaking to him just hours before. He added that Majozi had been working as a traditional healer for the past 15 years and had healed many people. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by The Witness Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Buffelsfontein Gold Mine disputes state’s claim that it’s legally bound to rescue trapped miners at its Stilfontein mine BL Premium reports that Buffelsfontein Gold Mine (BGM), owner of the Stilfontein mine where hundreds of illegal miners have been “trapped” underground for months, has dismissed the government’s assertion that the company is legally bound to conduct the rescue operations. The mining house rejected the claim in a response to an urgent application filed at the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) by Mining Affected Communities United in Action (Macua). The NGO has lodged an urgent application to the top court for an order to conduct immediate rescue operations of the miners, which it argued was being stifled by the state. Regular food and water supply for the miners have been blocked for more than three months. Since October, more than 1,000 miners have resurfaced from the abandoned gold mine after police started an operation aimed at addressing illegal mining in the North West. Many are said to be stranded underground. With the case to reach the ConCourt in January, the government has put the spotlight on BGM, saying the company did not have a closure certificate and therefore was responsible for the Stilfontein saga. Werksmans Attorneys representing BGM has disputed the government’s assertions. A closure certificate is issued by the Department of Mineral Resources & Energy to ensure companies follow policies and environmental laws after ceasing operations. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sinesipho Schrieber at BusinessLive (subscriber access only) Drone footage assessment planned for Stilfontein illegal miners facing ‘humanitarian crisis’ IOL News reports that an NGO – the Mining Affected Communities United in Action (Macua) – intends to enlist drone technology to assess and document the underground conditions at disused shafts of the Buffelsfontein Gold Mine. This as the SA Police Service (SAPS) continues its “Vala Umgodi” operation – aimed at tackling illegal mining activities. According to Macua, the proposal for drone technology was to work towards a speedy resolution of the Stilfontein humanitarian crisis. A site visit by Macua along with the Stilfontein Solidarity Committee (SSC) and Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) at the Stilfontein mineshaft was conducted on Tuesday. Macua spokesperson, Magnificent Mndebele, indicated: “We have sent another proposal to the State in which we explain that Macua has successfully secured funds to engage the services of a drone expert who will utilise a specialised drone to assess and document the underground conditions at Shafts 10 and 11 of the Buffelsfontein Gold Mine.” Mndebele added: “This process will be conducted in an open and transparent manner to ensure fairness and accountability … The footage that can be obtained by the drone will serve to illuminate the circumstances underground, thereby facilitating informed decision-making about the urgency of the rescue operation, (over) which the State has dragged its feet for the past two months.” LHR spokesperson, Mametlwe Sebei, said after the site visit that the “situation has become more dire and desperate”. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Chevon Booysen at IOL News Northern Cape police nab eight suspects linked to illegal diamond mining SABC News reports that police in the Northern Cape have confiscated unpolished diamonds following the arrest of suspects linked to illegal mining. Eight suspects were nabbed at Kleinzee in Namaqualand during Operation Vala Umgodi in the area. Seven of the arrested suspects are also alleged to be illegally in SA. Police spokesperson, Molefi Shemane indicated: “Way-lay operations were executed at the targeted area where police pounced on eight suspects who were allegedly actively engaged in illegal mining activities. Seven foreign nationals and one South African between the ages of 18 to 55-years-old were subsequently arrested for illegal mining, possession of suspected unpolished diamonds, trespassing, and for being illegally in the country.” Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Margaret Mothibi at SABC News Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Food prices in South Africa have skyrocketed over five years BusinessTech reports that the rising cost of living in SA has become a growing concern for millions of households, with the financial strain of putting food on the table seemingly ever-increasing. According to the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity (PMBEJD) Group, the average cost of a household food basket stood at R5,383.38 in December 2024, an over 68% increase from the R3,199.86 in December 2019. The general inflation rate was just over 26% during the same period. The PMBEJD’s Household Affordability Index shows that rising food prices alongside stagnant wages are putting immense pressure on South Africans already facing economic hardships. Several factors have pushed up food prices in SA over the past several years. The main driver has been the rising cost of agricultural inputs like fertilisers, feed, and energy. Global supply chain disruptions, worsened by economic instability and political tensions, have also increased import costs for key raw materials. On top of that, climate change and extreme weather have affected local farming, lowering crop yields and pushing prices even higher. The dramatic increases in prices are a harsh reality for South Africans, many of whom are now forced to make difficult decisions about their spending. Families are forced to cut back on other essential, nutritionally-rich foods, ultimately impacting their health and well-being. Looking at just a core staple food basket, these prices have gone up by nearly 60%, from R1,303.18 in December 2019, to R2,078.68 in December 2024. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Seth Thorne at BusinessTech
SA’s agriculture in 2024 and the outlook for 2025 Wandile Sihlobo, Chief Economist of the Agricultural Business Chamber of SA (Agbiz), writes that SA’s agriculture in 2024 can be viewed as a “mixed” year. Indeed, GDP figures will show a sharp contraction in agricultural fortunes in the year. But a deep dive shows a more nuanced picture of mixed performance. The field crops and livestock subsectors, for example, had their fair share of challenges, while the horticulture subsector had a better year. A midsummer drought led to a 23% decline in SA’s 2023-24 summer grains and oilseeds. Animal disease continued to be a big challenge for farmers. It is understandable because there have been various cases of foot-and-mouth disease in cattle, African swine fever in pigs, and avian influenza in poultry over the past three years. A positive development in 2024, though not agriculture-specific, was the improvement in electricity supply. It contributed to the sector and partly to the robust horticulture production. Sihlobo comments that “As we start 2025, the sector has renewed optimism regarding expected better rainfall and improvements on the animal disease control front. This year’s focus should remain on the opening of export markets, improvement of the network industries, and improving municipality performance.” Listen to a podcast for more insights in the above regard at Financial Mail Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Tshepo Makola’s appointment as acting City of Joburg manager will probably be considered for ratification next week News24 reports that the City of Johannesburg has an acting City manager, whose position may be officially ratified "sometime next week". The City has experienced several years of political instability, characterised by a revolving door of mayors. It has recently also experienced a state of administrative flux because it did not have a City manager for two weeks while battling floods, water cuts, and failing infrastructure. The City eventually appointed its COO, Tshepo Makola, to take charge and act as City manager after the Gauteng High Court gave the previous manager, Floyd Brink, 10 days to pack his bags and vacate his office. Makola was appointed to temporarily take over the role from Brink on 27 December. Brink left office on 14 December after the DA argued in court that his appointment on 22 February last year was irregular. In a back-and-forth court saga that had been going on since May 2024, the City ultimately decided not to appeal against the High Court decision. Makola has held several leadership roles in the City, including executive director of Joburg’s emergency services management, city executive head, city director, and chief operating officer. Makola’s appointment still needs to be ratified by the council at an extraordinary meeting, which will probably be held next Tuesday. On the appointment of a permanent replacement, Speaker Nobuhle Mthembu indicated: "The advert [for the City manager position] will be done towards month end, and the process to recruit will then start; we don't know how long it will take." Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Alex Patrick at News24 (subscription / trial registration required)
The ghost of Rooiwal continues to haunt broke City of Tshwane The Citizen reports that nine months after the City of Tshwane suspended five senior officials with pay for their roles in the irregular award of the Rooiwal tender, it has been ordered to pay them collectively more than R1.3 million in consolation. The five must also be allowed to return to work by 20 January. According to a bargaining council ruling, the suspensions were “capricious and arbitrary”, and a press release issued by the city at the time “caused irreparable harm to the dignity, reputation and social status” of the five officials. The consolation award equals two months’ salary for each and varies between R206,000 and R314,000. The tender for upgrading the Rooiwal Waste Water Treatment Plant was awarded in 2019 to NJR Projects and Blackhead Consulting in a joint venture (JV) with CMS Water Engineering. The JV later abandoned the project, and the city then terminated the contract for non-performance. A subsequent forensic report found that the JV was non-compliant and should have been disqualified from the bidding process. It recommended disciplinary action against the five officials. The officials remained in their posts during the disciplinary process. They were found guilty on only one of the four charges against them, and the chair of the disciplinary panel imposed a one-month suspension without pay for each. The city then suspended them with pay and issued the offensive press statement. According to the ruling, suspensions are governed by a bargaining council collective agreement. The agreement does not provide for suspensions post-disciplinary processes and limits suspensions to a period of three months, with the possibility of extending them for a further three months. In the Rooiwal case, the suspensions did not comply with the requirements. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Antoinette Slabbert at The Citizen. Lees ook, Rooiwal-vyf-saak na NVG verwys, by Maroela Media
Final forfeiture order secured against former Northern Cape Public Works CFO found with R679,000 unexplained cash in car The Star reports that the Hawks along with the Asset Forfeiture Unit have secured a final forfeiture order against Bradley Slingers, the former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Department of Roads and Public Works (DPWI) in the Northern Cape. Slingers was arrested on 16 November 2023, after a roadblock on the N12 uncovered a large sum of cash in his vehicle. A search of Slingers uncovered R200,000 in his possession, as well as three additional bags containing a total of over R679 000 in cash. The Hawks had been investigating National DPWI officials for some time, and the road block was set up to clamp down on the corruption syndicate happening at the DPWI. Sources allege that DPWI senior officials across the country take “cash gifts” from service providers in exchange of large tenders and projects, a scourge mostly prevalent in Gauteng, KZN and the Northern Cape. Upon winning the bids, service providers or contractors would “bless” officials with bags of cash. The Hawks are believed to have been on Slingers’ tail for some months leading up to the arrest. At his arrest Slingers could not answer where he got the cash. Slingers' case is one of several high-profile incidents within the department, including allegations against the Northern Cape Head of Department, Dr. Johnny Mac Kay, who faces charges related to contravening the Pension Funds Act. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Siyabonga Sithole at The Star Police clerk to appear in court for petrol theft from a vehicle submitted as evidence IOL News reports that a 39-year-old Mpumalanga police administration clerk has been summoned to appear in Balfour Magistrate's Court in connection with allegations of petrol theft. Provincial police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi said the man has been allegedly been linked to petrol theft from a vehicle that was handed in as an exhibit at the Grootvlei SA Police Service (SAPS) station in November 2022. The administration clerk is expected to appear in court on 20 February 2025. Nkosi said he would later join three co-accused, including two SAPS members and a plumber from Dipaleseng Local Municipality. The trio have made several court appearances and their trial date is set for July 2025. The municipality explained that after months of investigating the mismanagement of petrol, during which irregular quantities were dispatched, it was revealed that the culprits would legally obtain the fuel every Friday, claiming it was for refuelling areas in need to ensure continued service delivery. “Monitored by the Internal Investigation unit, the unit managed to track one of the alleged vehicles to Edendale where they arrived whilst the culprits were parked and unloading a municipal truck full of jerry cans into a civilian van. Three external male suspects were also apprehended at the scene,” the municipality indicated. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sinenhlanhla Masilela at IOL News
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