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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Government raises public sector pay offer from 5% to 5.5% Bloomberg reports that the SA government has increased its pay offer to public sector employees from 5% to 5.5%, as it seeks to end wage talks that began in September. The latest offer presented at a special bargaining council meeting Monday, was “very progressive,” commented Claude Naicker of the Public Servants Association (PSA), which represents more than 245,000 workers. The increase is “their final offer; meaning that they will append their signature to the draft agreement, and what it effectively means, is that it gives the unions 21 days to either accept the agreement or not,” said Naicker. Although the offer is a climb-down from workers’ opening demand of 12% for the fiscal year that begins on 1 April, it is significantly higher than SA’s 2.9% inflation rate and the SA Reserve Bank’s 4.5% target for anchoring price expectations. The government wants to link public sector pay increases to the consumer price index for the two years after 2025-26. The draft agreement allows increases to be set at 4% should inflation fall below that level in the outer years, or below 6% if consumer prices exceed that rate. Naicker commented further: “Hopefully the other unions sign. The employer is not going to go any higher than this. “We think under the circumstances it’s a reasonable offer, coupled with the other things like the housing allowance.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ntando Thukwana at Moneyweb
Nurse's car hits 11 patients at East London healthcare centre News24 reports that eleven people were struck by a nurse's car at the Empilweni Community Health Centre (CHC) in Gompo, East London, on Tuesday morning. The incident happened at around 07:00 when the nurse, driving a Hyundai i20, arrived at the facility to report for duty. Eastern Cape health department spokesperson Mkhululi Ndamase reported: "We can confirm that there was a tragic accident at Empilweni CHC in Gompo when a staff nurse's car hit patients who were waiting to be attended to. Unfortunately, all 11 patients were injured, with three being seriously injured. Two of the seriously injured patients have already been transferred to Frere Hospital for a higher level of care while one is still being treated at Empilweni." Other injured patients were treated at Empilweni and discharged. A police spokesperson advised that a case of reckless and negligence driving had been opened. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sithandiwe Velaphi at News24 (subscription or trial registration required) Fourth person arrested for murder of two Free State cops who responded to house robbery News24 reports that a fourth person has been arrested in connection with the murder of two Free State police officers. According to Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale, the 29-year-old man was arrested in Mangaung village on Monday in connection with the murders of Constable Sipho Mohapi and Constable Gedione Motloung of Namahadi Visible Policing. They were shot while responding to a house robbery in Phuthaditjhaba last Saturday. The accused was found in possession of one silver and black Taurus pistol, one pistol magazine with two live ammunition, one brown balaclava and one Samsung Galaxy cellphone. He is expected to appear in the Phuthaditjhaba Magistrate's Court on Wednesday on charges of murder, house robbery and possession of an unlicensed firearm. Three other people face charges in connection with the murders and are expected to appear in court again on 24 January. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nicole McCain at News24 (subscription or trial registration required). Lees ook, Nog een vas ná moord op VS-polisielede, by Maroela Media
Workers' rights will be protected under GNU, Mashatile assures Nedlac labour school News24 reports that Deputy President Paul Mashatile has told organised labour not to fear the government of national unity (GNU) because workers' rights under the GNU were protected. Speaking at National Economic Development and Labour Council's (Nedlac’s) annual labour school in Pretoria on Tuesday, he said: "I told our leaders this morning, 'don't be scared about GNU'. I know at the beginning there were many who were saying this GNU includes those who don't have the interests of workers at heart, so we might see a reversal of the gains that workers have made over the years and I said to them, 'no, don't worry, we are there to make sure that workers’ rights are protected'. Don't be scared; workers' rights will always be protected even if we have the GNU. That is what I want to assure you of. Please sleep peacefully at night; don't be worried about what will happen now." His message, however, did not resonate with some of those in attendance, who pointed out that the ANC's main GNU partner, the DA, opposed the minimum wage. A National Council of Trade Unions (Nactu) representative asked Mashatile to respond to the stance of some GNU partners who were anti-minimum wage. Another Saftu representative refuted Mashatile by saying they could not afford to sleep peacefully. Cosatu's Mike Shingange, stated: "One of the problems that South Africa faces since 1994 is what the deputy president is asking the workers to do, to go home and sleep peacefully while the revolution is unfolding." Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Siyamtanda Capa at News24 (subscription or trial registration required). Read too, Labour school a critical platform for market, says Paul Mashatile, at TimesLIVE. And also, Mashatile vows: No exploitation of farmworkers under GNU, at The Citizen
Number of hospitalised Stilfontein illegal miners rises to 32 Sunday World reports that according to national police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe, the number of extracted Stilfontein illegal miners admitted to hospital currently stands at 32. “The number of those admitted in hospital has thus risen from nine on Monday, 13 January to 32 on Tuesday, 21 January 2025. All who are hospitalised are currently under police guard. The narrative that illegal miners are not receiving adequate medical care is thus refuted and devoid of truth,” said Mathe. She also indicated that the SA Police Service (SAPS) was working closely with the North West Department of Health to ensure that health care was provided to illegal miners in police holding cells. “On a daily basis, SAPS members conduct inspections at police holding cells. And those that require medical care are referred and admitted to a local hospital,” said Mathe. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mpho Koka at Sunday World. Read too, Stilfontein illegal miners receiving medical attention, says SAPS, at SABC News. En ook, Stilfontein-myn: Mediese bystand vir dié in aanhouding, by Maroela Media Illegal miner killed in a shootout with cops in Germiston on Tuesday The Citizen reports that a suspected illegal miner was shot dead during a shootout with police in Germiston in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The incident occurred when Ekurhuleni metro police department (EMPD) officers were conducting an operation against illegal mining at 4.30am at Marathon informal settlement. An officer was confronted by a group of males who opened fire using a rifle and 9mm revolver firearms. “The officer tactically responded and a shootout ensued which led to one suspect being fatally wounded. The suspect was declared dead on [the] scene and another suspect was wounded during the shootout and taken to OR Tambo Memorial Hospital by Gauteng emergency services,” a statement by EMPD indicated. Another suspect who had a rifle fled the scene while four others were apprehended and detained at Primrose SAPS. Unlicensed firearms were seized from the scene. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Mahlohonolo Magadla at SowetanLive. Read too, Illegal mining raid in Germiston ends in fatal shootout, and view photos at The Citizen Thungela Resources names De Beers’ Moses Madondo as CEO designate BL Premium reports that Thungela Resources, SA’s leading producer of thermal coal, on Tuesday announced that Moses Madondo would replace July Ndlovu as CEO when the latter retires in July. Ndlovu has been at the helm of Thungela since it was unbundled from Anglo American in July 2021. Madondo, at present the CEO of De Beers Group managed operations, “brings over 25 years of mining experience to the role in various senior leadership positions,” Thungela said in a statement. He has held various senior leadership positions and served on several boards, including the Minerals Council of SA and Rand Refinery. The move by Thungela is notable for its rarity in corporate SA, where acting CEOs often fill leadership vacancies for extended periods. Madondo’s appointment comes at a critical juncture for the SA coal industry. The Pretoria High Court recently halted government plans to approve new coal-fired power stations, citing a failure to consider the environmental and health effects. Also, the industry has been affected by Transnet’s rail inefficiencies and opposition from environmental groups. Despite these challenges, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), SA remained the African country with the longest coal project pipeline, focusing primarily on thermal coal. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lindiwe Tsobo at BusinessLive (subscriber access only) Other labour / community posting(s) relating to mining
Other general posting(s) relating to mining
SAMATU wants engage directly with Finance Minister in fight for unemployed doctors SABC News reports that the SA Medical Association Trade Union (SAMATU) has announced plans to escalate its campaign for the placement of unemployed doctors by engaging directly with the Finance Minister. This decision follows a series of protests across various provinces, including one in the Eastern Cape on Tuesday, aimed at highlighting the challenges faced by unemployed doctors and the potential to address problems in public health services. SAMATU general secretary Dr. Cedric Sihlangu indicated: “There’ll also be a national protest to the Finance Minister on the 31st of January because, by and large, all these issues pertaining to unemployment of doctors – if you go to the Minister of Health, he’ll tell you that it’s a finance issue and he’s trying to discuss with the National Treasury. If you go to the MEC, he’ll cite that it’s a fiscal constraint issue.” Sihlangu added: “The national leadership of SAMATU decided to take these to the doorsteps of the Finance Minister simply to raise the plight, not only of unemployed doctors. In fact, the lack and under-staffing of these clinics and hospitals directly impacts accessing adequate healthcare services to these communities.” Read the original of the short report in the above regard at SABC News. Read too, Eastern Cape premier listens to desperate pleas of unemployed doctors, at City Press
Police losing credibility over criminals in its ranks, says portfolio committee chairperson Ian Cameron News24 report that according to the National Assembly's police committee chairperson Ian Cameron, the credibility of the police has been dented by their inclination to harbour criminally accused individuals. On Tuesday, Cameron spoke during a press briefing of chairpersons of the peace and security cluster and was scathing about the state of the police, their finances and some of the most critical divisions. He stated: "The minister has revealed that 40 members of the SAPS are currently on suspension with pay for reasons that include allegations of serious misconduct, corruption, theft, and murder. The delay in implementing consequence management within the SAPS erodes trust in the SAPS and cannot continue unabated. Cameron went on to say: "The continued delay in implementing consequence management against eight VIP officers who allegedly assaulted a civilian on the N1 remains a huge concern for the committee. It is unacceptable that over a year has passed and the officers have not had a speedy disciplinary process, despite the fact that the officers' actions placed the SAPS reputation in disrepute. The committee remains steadfast that rogue police officers must be removed from the service." Cameron noted reports of the closure of Inspectorate Analysis Centre and Service Complaints Unit and commented: "Given the significant role these entities play in ensuring accountability, oversight, and service delivery within the SAPS, the committee views this development as potentially detrimental to the broader efforts aimed at strengthening governance and operational effectiveness within the police service.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jason Felix at News24 (subscription or trial registration required). Read too, Police skills audit must start with Crime Intelligence, says Ian Cameron, at Mail & Guardian Former West Rand Hawks captain Susanna Muller accused of a litany of offences, including corruption and theft SowetanLive reports that a former Hawks captain has been accused of a litany of offences that include starting a relationship with a suspect with the sole purpose of extracting information from him as well as exhibits that went missing after a cash-in-transit heist. Susanna Jacoba Muller, who was an investigator at the West Rand Serious Organised Crime Investigation in Gauteng, appeared at the Randburg Magistrate's Court on Monday. She faced charges of corruption, theft and defeating or obstructing the administration of justice. Additional charges of money laundering and corruption are under consideration by the National Prosecuting Authority. Following the allegations made against her, Muller resigned from the SAPS. Hawks head Lt-Gen Godfrey Lebeya welcomed the developments in the case and issued a stern warning to all members of the service. He emphasised that the Hawks had zero tolerance for corruption and criminal behaviour within its ranks. “We will not hesitate to take decisive action against those who betray the trust placed in them by the public,” Lebeya warned. Muller is expected back in court on 28 January for the appointment of legal representation. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nandi Ntini at SowetanLive Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Judge President Mbenenge’s lawyer hits back, says complainant exchanged ‘equally salacious messages’ BL Premium reports that Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge’s legal team on Tuesday argued at the Judicial Conduct Tribunal that the complainant accusing him of sexually harassing her misled the hearing by omitting “disgusting” messages in which she reciprocated his sexual advances. The complainant, judges’ secretary Andiswa Mengo, had testified on Tuesday, the seventh day of the tribunal, that Mbenenge’s persistent sexual advances towards her had left her traumatised. The tribunal’s purpose is to determine whether Mbenenge’s conduct in his engagements with the subordinate constituted sexual harassment. In law, sexual harassment is defined as “unwarranted conduct which is persistent or serious or creates an intimidating environment which is related to sex, gender or sexual orientation”. Advocate Salome Scheepers wrapped up leading evidence on Mengo’s testimony on Tuesday. Acting for Mbenenge, advocate Muzi Sikhakhane in his cross-examination argued that Mengo “misled” the tribunal by not detailing her “sexual responses” in her affidavit. “The version of my client is that certain chats, some of them salacious, took place between the two of you. Do you agree with me that at some point you were exchanging equally salacious messages?” he asked. Mengo agreed that she did send salacious messages. Sikhakhane stated that Mengo did not communicate her discomfort to Mbenenge about the sexual advances. He argued her failure to communicate this could be construed as “consensual”. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sinesipho Schrieber at BusinessLive (subscriber access only). Read too, Judge’s secretary flirted back, argues lawyer, at GroundUp. And also, Mengo concedes that her interactions with Mbenenge could be reasonably concluded to be consensual, at EWN Western Cape DA calls on SAPS to thoroughly investigate rape allegations against officers EWN reports that the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Western Cape has called on the SA Police Service (SAPS) to thoroughly investigate rape allegations against some of their provincial colleagues. In the last two months, three SAPS members in the province have been charged with rape in separate cases. Two police officers stationed at the Mfuleni police station were arrested in November and January for allegedly raping female detainees in police holding cells. Another officer was arrested at Malmesbury police station for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman at the station on Christmas Day. The DA's Thomas Walters said that if proven to be true, the charges constituted an unacceptable violation of public trust, human dignity, and the rule of law. "The DA demands urgent and thorough investigations, it's simply unacceptable that such a culture can exist within the police service. We need to have consequences for any guilty parties, and this kind of thing simply cannot happen," he indicated. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Ntuthuzelo Nene at EWN. And also, Third Western Cape police officer arrested for rape in recent months, at Cape Times Other internet posting(s) in this news category
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