In our roundup of weekend and recent reports,
see summaries of our selection of recent
South African labour-related articles.
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Eskom bonuses keep the lights on Business Times reports that in a bid to bolster energy supply through to the end of last year, Eskom, the National Treasury and the Ministry of Electricity formulated a plan to allow the state-owned power utility to pay power station staff performance incentives. Accordingly, Eskom loosened the purse strings for staff who improved the performances of their respective power stations. Eskom leaders now believe the utility can improve further if staff morale is enhanced. According to Eskom spokesperson Daphne Mokwena, performance-based incentives are being paid to power station employees who met predefined targets within their respective areas of responsibility. She said: “These incentives are awarded only to staff directly contributing to measurable structural improvements in the power system, particularly at power stations. The incentives are linked to the achievement of daily targets at station level and are budgeted for accordingly.” Mokwena explained further: “Employees who do not meet targets will not qualify for incentive payments. The scheme is not permanent and will be periodically reviewed to ensure it continues to promote a culture of high performance and operational excellence.” She would not disclose how much Eskom paid out in performance incentives but said these were governed by Eskom’s remuneration and performance management policies and were approved by the board. “These policies ensure that bonuses are tied to clearly defined performance metrics and operational achievements. As a responsible organisation, we focus on balancing fair remuneration with financial prudence.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Khulekani Magubane at Business Times (subscriber access only)
Suspect linked to rape of two nurses at Limpopo clinic arrested SowetanLive reports that a suspect has been arrested in connection with the rape of two nurses in Ga-Chuene, Limpopo, the Friday night before last. He has also been linked to several other cases. The 27-year-old is facing multiple charges, including robbery and possession of stolen property and will appear at the Polokwane Magistrate's Court on Monday. On Sunday, premier Phophi Ramathuba confirmed the suspect’s arrest at his home in Feke village, Ga-Maja, on Saturday where police recovered a firearm and items linked to other crimes. “Preliminary investigations reveal the suspect is connected to more than 10 serious cases within the Lebowakgomo policing area,” said Ramathuba. She added the attack at Ga-Chuene Clinic was not only a violation of the nurses but also a direct assault on healthcare services in the province. Ramathuba questioned the performance of security personnel, noting that three guards at the clinic were overpowered during the attack. “You can’t have three security guards being overpowered by one person. Yes, we understand that he was carrying a gun, but what is frustrating is that he took the two female nurses and left our female security guard, who was not handcuffed like the other males. She had the opportunity to call the police, the matron, or the HOT [Health Operations Team], but she did not. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Koena Mashale at TimesLIVE. Read too, Denosa welcomes arrest of man accused of abducting, raping two nurses at Limpopo clinic, at EWN
Gut-wrenching scenes as Stilfontein zama zama reswcue mission ends Sunday World reports that when the men who had been holed up more than two kilometres underground for months in a disused mine in Stilfontein in North West saw a team that had come to rescue them, they went down on their knees and threw themselves at the rescuers, their hands pressed together, pleading for help. Still visibly distressed, Mandla Charles, one of the volunteers who joined the rescue team, recalled the gory scenes just after the rescue operation on Thursday. The men’s bodies were emaciated, their skeletal bodies covered in sores and they had dry lips and sunken eyes. Charles and Mzwandile Mkwayi were two community members who volunteered to go underground and retrieve the men and bodies during the government’s extraction operation this week. Working with Mines Rescue Services (MRS), the extraction operation took place at shaft 11 of the disused Buffelsfontein gold mine from Monday to Thursday. Over the four-day period, a total of 246 men were rescued and arrested. A total of 78 bodies were recovered. Charles was traumatised by the condition of the miners underground. MRS used a mobile rescue winder to lower the cage underground. The cage had three cameras mounted on it and was designed to take a maximum of six people at a time. “It was difficult for us to choose who to load first in the cage and who to load later in the day. Some of those men did not believe that we would come back for another trip to take them out,” said Charles. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mpho Koka on page 8 of Sunday World of 19 January 2025. Read too, How death stalked Stilfontein’s dark, stinking depths, at Sunday Times (subscriber access only). And also, Cannibalism, starvation and death: Two illegal Stilfontein miners speak of hell underground, at News24 (subscriber access only) SAPS considering legal action over union claim that police used explosives at Stilfontein Shaft 10 News24 reports that the SA Police Service (SAPS) is consulting its legal team over claims by the General Industries Workers Union of SA (GIWUSA) that the police blasted a shaft in Stilfontein during an illegal mining rescue operation last week. According to police spokesperson Brigadier Althenda Mathe, the statement by GIWUSA is "misinformation" and the union could be subject to legal action, as it's an offence under the Explosives Act to provide false information on explosions. She said that no blast had taken place and that this was confirmed during a site inspection on Friday. In a statement, GIWUSA claimed police had bombed Shaft 10 at Stilfontein on Thursday. It said the shaft contained miners who were either dead, injured or too weak to get to Shaft 11 to be rescued. On Thursday, the government announced that everyone who was trapped underground – both alive and dead – had been removed from Shaft 11. Shaft 10 is situated about 2km from Shaft 11. "GIWUSA and other organisations involved in advocating for the rescue had demanded that sniffer dogs and rescue personnel be sent down to look for other bodies and survivors, but instead, the rescue was declared complete, and suddenly Shaft 10 was bombed," stated GIWUSA president Mametlwe Sebei. He accused the police of a "blatant act of cover-up by the state" because they "did not want the Stilfontein body count to rise above 78". GIWUSA also claimed that police had arrested Mzwandile Mkwayi, one of the volunteers, "who spent three days going down in the lift into Shaft 10 and bringing out deceased miners and survivors". Mkwayi was handed a 15-year sentence for murder in 2013. Correctional services spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said Mkwayi was not arrested or detained but was taken to the Klerksdorp Community Corrections Office for administrative purposes. Nxumalo said Mkwayi had been given a formal warning for violating his parole conditions, namely leaving his designated jurisdiction without notification or approval from his monitoring officials and engaging with the media without prior authorisation. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nicole McCain at News24 (subscription or trial registration required). Read too, Police slam ‘misinformation’ regarding their Stilfontein operations, at The Citizen Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Over 930 suspects arrested in six-week operation targeting illegal mining in Limpopo The Citizen reports that in a significant bust on illegal mining and related criminal activities, during a six-week operation the SA Police Service (SAPS) in Limpopo arrested over 930 suspects, including nearly 500 undocumented foreign nationals. The operation ran from 1 December 2024 to 12 January 2025. It was part of the broader multi-disciplinary High-Density Operation Kukula, also known as Shanela. Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba announced on Friday that Operation Vala Umgodi had made substantial progress in combating illegal mining activities across all five districts of the province. “The operation, which specifically focuses on illegal mining activities, also addresses a broader range of criminal elements, including serious and violent crimes, contravention of immigration laws, possession of unlicensed firearms, ammunition, illicit cigarettes, and counterfeit goods,” said Mashaba. Law enforcement officials confiscated eight firearms and 40 rounds of ammunition during the operation. They also seized 14 vehicles, including two tipper trucks that were being used in illegal mining operations. According to Mashaba, the operation resulted in the confiscation of gold-bearing minerals, chrome, and counterfeit goods valued at thousands of rands.The police arrested a total of 932 suspects, of which 496 of those were undocumented foreign nationals. The arrested individuals face a total of 912 charges. Of the 932 arrests, Zimbabwean nationals comprised the largest group with 325 arrests. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Cosatu welcomes extension of CWP contracts for participants aged 55 and older until end of March The Citizen reports that trade union federation Cosatu on Friday welcomed the extension of Community Work Programme (CWP) contracts for participants aged 55 and older until the end of March this year. The decision was announced following a bilateral meeting between Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), Velenkosini Hlabisa, and Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana. The original decision to end the contracts was made in response to significant budget cuts that threatened the program’s sustainability and risked unauthorised expenditure by Cogta. Approximately 67,000 CWP workers were facing contract termination at the end of January. Cosatu welcomed the government’s latest decision, noting its significance for vulnerable workers and their families. The CWP serves as a transformative public employment initiative. It provides temporary employment safety nets while aiming to help participants rise from poverty through skills development and community engagement. Hlabisa emphasised the government’s ongoing commitment to the program’s success, while noting that consultations continued with stakeholders. “We are currently engaged in constructive consultations and will provide regular updates as the Department works closely with all relevant stakeholders. Our aim is to address this issue thoughtfully, ensuring a careful balance between financial responsibility and social accountability,” Hlabisa explained. Cosatu’s Matthew Parks highlighted that the majority of CWP workers aged 55 nd over were women from rural areas and townships, where employment opportunities were scarce and many did not qualify for the Old Age Grant. The federation called for a comprehensive overhaul of public employment programs. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Enkosi Selane at The Citizen
With nearly 400 jobs at risk, Ithala pushes back against liquidation bid Sunday World reports that amid the decision by the SA Reserve Bank’s Prudential Authority for the provisional liquidation of Ithala SOC Limited, the Kwazulu-Natal (KZN) government is racing against time to save the entity. The Prudential Authority (PA) last week filed court papers to set the move in motion. If the Pietermaritzburg High Court gives the green light, it will enable the appointment of a liquidator. The liquidator will in turn would utilise the insolvency legislation to recover and distribute the funds of about 257,000 depositors of the state-owned financial and insurance provider. The decision was triggered by Johannes Kruger, a repayment administrator appointed by the PA, who said the entity was legally and technically insolvent. But, according to Cosatu in KZN, it appeared there was a concerted effort to do away with financial institutions geared towards assisting those in the economic periphery. “We are very much disappointed as Cosatu in KZN. Ithala is one of the very few banks that look after the financial needs of the poor and the marginalised. Our view is that the Reserve Bank should be supporting institutions such as Ithala. It’s clear that there is an agenda to monopolise the financial sector,” Cosatu KZN’s Edwin Mkhize said. He pointed out that there might be issues about how Ithala ran its affairs but it should not be allowed to collapse. Cosatu said the move would affect close to 400 employees. Francois Rodgers, the finance MEC in KZN, advised that the KZN treasury supported the recent move by Ithala to challenge the court action. Ithala has filed an urgent interdict to stop the PA in its tracks. Ithala was established in 1958 as a development finance agency owned by the former Kwazulu homeland administration. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sandile Motha on page 12 of Sunday World of 19 January 2025. Read too, Ithala pushes back against ‘flawed’ liquidation bid, at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
In messy process, Joburg council ratifies acting municipal manager Tshepo Makola's appointment News24 reports that Tshepo Makola has formally become the acting City of Johannesburg manager after the council ratified the decision on Friday. But the formalisation of his acting appointment was not all smooth sailing because the vote had to be recounted after the first poll did not add up to the number of councillors who had signed the register. Finance MMC Margaret Arnolds noted after the count that the numbers of 139 yes, 81 no and 40 abstentions amounted to 260 – not the 240 who signed the register. The bell was rerung to allow councillors time to sign the register again, but 242 names were accounted for. Instead of a physical headcount, Speaker Nobuhle Mthembu chose to perform a revote, the result of which was 139 in favour, 60 opposed and 41 abstentions. Makola, the city's chief operating officer, was informally appointed by Mayor Dada Morero on 27 December due to former city manager, Floyd Brink's departure after the Gauteng High Court found his appointment to have been irregular. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Alex Patrick at News24 (subscription or trial registration required) ActionSA believes proper procedures not followed prior to acting Joburg city manager’s appointment EWN reports that ActionSA in Johannesburg has clarified that it is not opposed to Tshepo Makola’s appointment as acting City Manager but believes the proper procedures were not followed prior to his appointment. On Friday, the municipal council convened to ratify and approve Makola’s appointment to serve as acting city manager for three months. Makola was appointed to the role on 8 January, namely two weeks prior to the council’s official approval. ActionSA asserted that the mayoral committee, in its ratification report for Makola’s appointment, neglected to include several key recommendations. The party’s caucus leader, Zark Lebatlang, said the recommendations were overlooked, making Makola’s appointment irregular. He indicated: “ActionSA believes that it is paramount that any process that seeks to validate the appointment of the city’s accounting officer is immune from legal loopholes or public scrutiny. ActionSA wanted the following to be included in the report: the commencement of the recruitment process for a city manager, the inclusion of all relevant stakeholders in the recruitment panel in the interview process to ensure transparency and alignment with the diverse stakeholders of the city.” Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Joburg has expressed disappointment that the City failed to follow proper procedure when Makola. DA caucus leader Belinder Kasier-Echeozonjoku said her party would not sit and allow lawlessness to prevail. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Alpha Ramushwana at EWN. Read too, Joburg DA questions how Makola was appointed as acting city manager without council's approval, at EWN City of Joburg has three months to fill city manager's post EWN reports that the City of Johannesburg is now beginning the process of selecting a candidate for the position of city manager. The metro has three months to fill this post, with the position required to be filled by the first week of April. During this period, three potential candidates must be shortlisted, vetted, and interviewed. The position was left vacant in December after the South Gauteng High Court declared Floyd Brink's appointment as city manager unlawful. Joburg's chief operating officer, Tshepo Makola, has been appointed to act in the position for the next three months. Democratic Alliance (DA) caucus leader, Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku, indicated: "We hope that he will run the city with transparency and be available to all councillors irrespective of political parties during this acting period." Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Alpha Ramushwana at EWN
Marumo Gallants football Club ordered to pay Sinky Mnisi R1.7m for unfair dismissal Sunday World reports that renowned football administrator Sinky Mnisi, who was red carded by Marumo Gallants after his failed sangoma-sponsored bid to propel the team to the premiership league, has scored a R1.7 -million windfall for unfair dismissal. The National Soccer League (NSL) and the SA Football Association (Safa) have issued an award to deduct R1.7m from Leruma United FC and pay it to Mnisi. This after the two soccer bodies ruled that he was unfairly dismissed by Gallants last year. Gallants bought PSL outfit Moroka Swallows and sold its status to United, hence the money is to be docked from the latter’s grant. United general manager, Lucky Mokgotho, filed an urgent application in the Joburg High Court last week to interdict the NSL and Safa from docking the money from their grant. The monetary quantum includes Mnisi’s monthly salary of R200,000 and money to pay the sangoma. Mnisi was paid over R1-million in four months by Gallants to help the team bounce back to the money-spinning PSL. But Mnisi and Gallants’ plan of relying on magic from a traditional healer instead of technical football acumen boomeranged because the club lost several matches and failed lackadaisically to bounce back to the PSL. As a result, Gallants fired Mnisi and approached the Joburg High Court last year and demanded their money back from him. Mnisi lodged a complaint with the NSL’s dispute resolution committee, which found in his favour. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ngwako Malatji at Sunday World
City of Tshwane approaches labour court to bar Rooiwal managers from returning to work on Monday TimesLIVE reports that the City of Tshwane has filed papers with the Labour Court to block the five managers linked to the Rooiwal water treatment plant scandal from returning to work. The metro has asked the court to review and set aside the SA Local Government Bargaining Council's (Salgbc’s) arbitration award in favour of the employees. Salgbc ruled last month that the suspension of the five employees should be lifted because it amounted to unfair labour practice as the period of suspension exceeded the period stipulated in the collective agreement. The employees are supposed to return to work on Monday. The group is accused of flouting legal processes in the awarding of the Rooiwal tender to companies linked to controversial businessman Edwin Sodi. The City is of the view that there were defects in the Salgbc arbitration proceedings and the ruling and has enlisted the services of a firm of attorneys to act on its behalf in the handling of this legal matter. City spokesperson Lindela Mashigo pointed out that the notice of application served to freeze the legal effect of the Salgbc award. Rooiwal plant was meant to provide drinkable water to the community of Hammanskraal. However, due to it not being completed, Hammanskraal was hit with a huge bout of cholera in 2023 resulting in the deaths of more than 20 people. The five senior officials were suspended after an internal disciplinary process found them guilty of misconduct. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Koena Mashale at TimesLIVE
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