In our Wednesday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South
African labour-related reports.
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NHI breakthrough talks see ANC agreeing with DA not to 'collapse' medical aids News24 reports that the government of national unity (GNU) has quietly reached an ‘agreement’ on two key aspects of concern relating to the National Health Insurance (NHI). Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Minister Maropene Ramokgopa revealed in an interview that the two main parties in the GNU, namely the ANC and the DA, have struck an informal agreement on the NHI after an ANC concession to drop sections of the law that could collapse medical aids. Ramokgopa said she met with Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi and DA leader John Steenhuisen on the sidelines of last week's Cabinet lekgotla. The Minister, Motsoaledi and Steenhuisen agreed to a proposal suggesting that under the NHI, the government would not collapse medical aid schemes, while a ministerial advisory council would be established to determine how NHI funding would work. The council would sit when the Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP) has been adopted as policy. The Minister said President Cyril Ramaphosa would spearhead this process. For the DA, the collapsing of medical aid schemes implied by the NHI was a solid red line. The party was concerned that this would destroy private healthcare and jeopardise the overall quality of healthcare. Ramokgopa said whether patients wanted to participate in public or private healthcare, they would do so through the fund. The ministerial advisory council "will be the one to actually finalise how everything is going to be done", said Ramokgopa. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Soyiso Maliti at News24 (subscription or trial registration required)
SANDF's Maphwanya says remains of 14 fallen soldiers to return to SA on Wednesday EWN reports that according to the chief of the SA Defence Force (SANDF) General Rudzwani Maphwanya, the remains of the 14 fallen soldiers who were killed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) will be returned to SA on Wednesday. But he did not share further details regarding the repatriation effort as parliamentarians pressed for specifics regarding arrangements. Rudzani and Defence Minister Angie Motshekga were before a joint meeting of Parliament’s Defence committees on Tuesday afternoon to answer questions about the deaths and SA’s mission in the DRC. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Lindsay Dentlinger at EWN MPs accuse Ramaphosa of using SA troops to protect mining interests of 'friends' in war-torn DRC News24 reports that knives were out on Tuesday, and sparks flew between parliamentarians who accused President Cyril Ramaphosa and his friends of using SA troops to protect their mineral interests in the war-ravaged Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). For a large part of the meeting, ANC and EFF MPs slung accusations at each other over the reasons for the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) being in the DRC. Defence Minister Angie Motshekga did not respond to several questions, saying they were of an operational nature, but said a diplomatic solution was urgently needed. MK Party MP Mabel Rweqana said SA troops were being turned into a defence force for other countries. "The same happened in the Central African Republic … What is it that our soldiers are protecting in the DRC? … You go and defend other countries, but you tell us here that you don't have money," she stated. Freedom Front Plus MP Tammy Breedt questioned whether Ramaphosa's family has interests in the mines in the eastern DRC. EFF MP Carl Niehaus said the SANDF sent soldiers to go and die. “We have used the army to defend the mineral wealth of Ramaphosa and his friends. This is not in defence of the people of the DRC,” he alleged. Asked when the bodies of fallen soldiers would be repatriated, SANDF chief Rudzani Maphwanya simply said: "Tomorrow [Wednesday]." He also said there was no direct warfare between Rwanda and SA. "There was an exchange of fire between the DRC forces and Rwanda, and some of the rocket shells fell in the South Africa base," he said. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jason Felix at News24 (subscription or trial registration required). Read too, EFF casts doubts on peacekeeping as reason for SANDF deployment in DRC, at EWN. And also, Bodies of soldiers to be returned on Wednesday, but Rwandan President Kagame’s remarks are a concern, at Sunday Times Daily (subscriber access only) Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Two private security guards shot dead inside vehicle in Cape Town, firearms not stolen News24 reports that Western Cape police are on the hunt for the gunmen who opened fire on two private security guards, killing them instantly inside their marked vehicle on Harry Gwala Street opposite the Langa taxi rank on Monday evening. Police spokesperson Captain FC Van Wyk said the Consortium SA security guards, aged 24 and 31, were escorting a delivery vehicle into the area when they were shot. "On their way back, it's alleged that two unknown males shot at the white Nissan vehicle they were driving in, fatally wounding them. Nothing was taken from them; both firearms were recovered in the vehicle," said Van Wyk. The police's Provincial Serious and Violent Crimes Unit is investigating the matter. Langa Community Policing Forum chairperson Alfred Magwaca condemned the killing. Meanwhile, a Langa community activist pointed out that the guards' firearms were not stolen and commented: “This is a very strange incident. The first thing the criminals go after is the guns, but here, they left the guns inside the vehicle. Something is amiss here. It just doesn't make sense as to why the guards had to die like this.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lisalee Solomons at News24 (subscription or trial registration required) Rea Vaya murders were well orchestrated hits, says MMC Kenny Kunene SABC News reports that according to City of Johannesburg MMC for transport, Kenny Kunene, Rea Vaya bus services will resume on Wednesday tomorrow morning. This follows the fatal shootings of two bus drivers that led to the suspension of services. In the first incident, a driver was fatally shot at a traffic light along Wild Chestnut Street in Protea. In the second incident, another driver was shot dead in Mapetla. The MMC said the decision to suspend services was to avoid putting traumatised drivers back at work following the attack. He reported further: “We are saddened by this barbaric act, but it is clear that this was a well-orchestrated hit – this was an assassination. We understand that four people have been arrested who were in the vicinity of the shooting who are Lesotho nationals. The police are not yet sure if they are the culprits but they’re investigating. We don’t want to speculate that it is the taxi industry that has committed this heinous crime. So, we don’t want to put the lives of the commuters at risk with drivers who are still in trauma. That is why we then said, let us ground the busses today (Tuesday), but tomorrow (Wednesday) the busses will resume in the morning.” Meanwhile, Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero said everything possible would be done to protect Rea Vaya bus commuters and drivers. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at SABC News Stellenbosch farmer ended security contract two days before his murder, allegedly by bodyguards and wife News24 reports that three security officers, together with Stellenbosch farmer Stefan Smit’s wife Zurenah Smit, are believed to be behind the hit which saw Smit found dead on his kitchen floor at his Louiesenhof farmhouse on 2 June 2019. The day before Smit was gunned down, he celebrated the sale of one of his farms, Watergang, for R45.6 million. His bodyguards, namely Bradley van Eysland, Steven Damon and Derek Sait – together with his wife Zurenah – are accused of his murder in a hit executed two days after the sale. Smit invited over his close friend, Sophia Buys, for dinner, telling her he was glad to be "rid" of the land, as well as the security officers whom he no longer needed to safeguard it. According to Buys, Smit was exceptionally security conscious. Zurenah and Sait are currently on trial in the Western Cape High Court on an array of charges, the main one being the vintner's premeditated murder. Van Eysland has turned State's witness. Damon died last year and his death is the subject of a police investigation. The widow and the security team are also accused of faking security incidents to have the bodyguards' contracts extended while they planned the hit. Zurenah is also charged with forging her husband and mother-in-law's wills, making herself the main beneficiary. Zurenah and Sait pleaded not guilty to all the charges. The trial continues on Wednesday. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tammy Petersen at News24 (subscription or trial registration required)
SA can’t afford to be kicked out of Agoa, Solidarity warns Maroela Media reports that on Tuesday Solidarity re-emphasised that it was essential that SA’s position as a beneficiary of the African Growth and Opportunities Act (Agoa) be protected. The trade union said it would continue with its work in that regard, which has involved extensive engagements with the US government over the past two years. Following the storm over US President Donald Trump’s statements about SA and his decision to temporarily suspend funding for various projects in SA, fears are growing that Trump could impose economic punitive measures against SA that could plunge the country into an economic crisis. According to Solidarity, the statements by Trump are a “direct result of the weak, inadequate and sometimes dangerous diplomatic actions by the South African government.” The trade union pointed out that in the past five years, the SA embassy in Washington has often been without an active ambassador and no proactive efforts have been made to build relationships. “Therefore, Trump’s attack on South Africa did not fall out of thin air; it has had a long time coming, and President Ramaphosa and his team are to be blamed for this diplomatic mess.” For Solidarity the most important priority was to counteract the economic damage caused by this diplomatic breach. According to Solidarity Chief Executive Dr Dirk Hermann, the conditions under which SA is able to export to the USA are not only favourable, but the country also has a large trade surplus with the USA. Solidarity said, however, it was concerned that the deteriorating diplomatic relations between SA and the US, especially since Trump’s inauguration, could lead to SA being kicked out of Agoa in the future. “During the past two years we have participated in numerous discussions about the renewal or extension of Agoa. During three visits to Washington, we have also canvassed support among members of the US Congress to extend the law,” the union reported. Read the full original of the report in the above regard in Afrikaans at Maroela Media
Prayer ceremony held ahead of nine-year anniversary of deadly collapse at Lily Mine SABC News reports that a prayer ceremony was held ahead of the Lily Mine commemoration in remembrance of Pretty Nkambule, Yvonne Mnisi and Solomon Nyirenda. The three were trapped underground when the crown pillar at the mine collapsed nine years ago. Their remains have never been retrieved. “When this time comes, it becomes difficult on the family’s side because it brings those memories. It brings those memories, like I remember very well on the February 5, 2016, that my daughter Yvonne was wearing this and was having this as a meal for a day. But till today, I’ve never seen her again. So it brings those memories. It’s an emotional day,” said Harry Mazibuko speaking on behalf of the families. An inquest conducted by the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court some years ago found that illegal mining led to the collapse of the mine. The court also found that owners of the mine, and different institutions such as the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE), as well as the SAPS, should be held responsible. The inquest record was then referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions. But, Mazibuko lamented that nothing much has happened since then. Meanwhile, some community members have accused political parties of using the tragic incident to garner votes, saying: “Since the mine collapsed many years ago, it remained closed … We are tired of people coming here to campaign. We have been jobless for almost ten years now, since the mine collapsed.” Some of the residents have threatened to embark on a protest action to demonstrate their frustration ahead of the commemoration. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mthobisi Mkhaliphi at SABC News
Unemployed pharmacists picket outside Limpopo health department for jobs SABC News reports that a group of unemployed pharmacists who have completed their community service have called on the Limpopo Department of Health (DOH) to employ them permanently. The pharmacists picketed outside the DOH’s offices in Polokwane. Most of them were funded by the department to study pharmacy. They say that after spending two years doing their internships and community service training at rural hospitals, they have seen the dire need for pharmacists in the province. “I have been unemployed and we are here to seek employment since we just can’t sit and waste away the skills and knowledge that we gained, and waste investments that the government has invested in us,” said one of the protestors. Limpopo DOH’s Neil Shikwambana said there were currently no funds for employing additional pharmacists. ““There are basically no statutory requirements that say once a person has completed community service they must then come in. Now we understand the plight, it is not an ideal situation that they are out there unemployed but the reality is that there are many factors involved, there are issues of resources that would dictate to us how many health care professionals we need. The reality is that we might take as many health care professionals as possible but we also need support, because a pharmacist, even if they are in surplus, they cannot pull files, they cannot clean,” he indicated. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at SABC News Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Big fuel price increase in effect from midnight on Wednesday TimesLIVE reports that motorists were hit with major fuel price hikes on Wednesday. It was the fourth consecutive month of fuel price increases and was attributed to the rising international oil price and the rand’s weakness against the dollar. The retail price of all grades of petrol increased by 82c/l while the wholesale price of diesel went up R1.05c/l for 0.05% sulphur and R1.01c/l for 0.005% sulphur. The price of illuminating paraffin will be 97c/l. From midnight, the following prices applied. Inland prices: petrol 95 unleaded - R22.41; petrol 93 unleaded - R22.16; diesel 0.05% - R20.34; diesel 0.005% - R20.45. Coastal prices: petrol 95 unleaded - R21.62; petrol 93 unleaded - R21.37; diesel 0.05% - R19.55; diesel 0.005% - R19.69. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at BusinessLive. Lees ook, Prys van petrol, diesel styg skerp, by Maroela Media Other internet posting(s) in this news category
SA's public schools have 22,600 vacant senior management and teacher posts News24 reports that with schools having re-opened for the new academic year last month, it has emerged that more than 22,600 posts for principals, deputy principals, heads of departments and teachers are vacant at public schools. These figures were released by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) on Tuesday during a briefing to parliament's Portfolio Committee on Basic Education. The Western Cape DBE has the highest vacancy rate with 22.6% of principals, 35.1% of deputy principals, and 35.6% of heads of department posts vacant. The province has cut 2,407 teaching posts because of budgetary constraints. It was also revealed during the meeting, which was called to discuss the state of school readiness for 2025, that 28,371 pupils across the country had not yet been placed at schools by 23 January. Most provinces complained that the biggest problem was parents demanding schools of choice and refusing to take up allocated placements in schools with available spaces. Simoné Geyer, DBE deputy director-general, said the provincial education departments made provision for substitute posts, and substitute teachers were used when there was an urgent need to fill a vacant teacher post "to ensure there is always a teacher in front of learners". DBE Minister Siviwe Gwarube said provinces had submitted management plans to fill vacancies permanently, adding: “We will make sure we monitor the progress to make sure there's minimal disruption to teaching and learning.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Prega Govender at News24 (subscription or trial registration required)
Samwu and City of Cape Town in standoff over 'naming and shaming' of axed employees News24 reports that trouble between the SA Municipal Workers' Union (Samwu) and City of Cape Town is brewing after the City once again "named and shamed" staff members found guilty of various offences over the past three months and dismissed. Samwu has raised concerns about an internal letter the City's municipal manager sent to staff, detailing the measures taken against their now dismissed colleagues and the offences they had committed. The union has taken the matter to the SA Human Rights Commission, accusing the City of "violating employees' rights". Last week, the City's municipal manager, Lungelo Mbandazayo, released a third list of staff members who were dismissed for various transgressions. "The reason I believe that this is important is so that team members who are still employed by the City can be made aware of the consequences of engaging in certain behaviours or taking certain undesired actions,” he explained. Mbandazayo also urged that the "information must not be shared with anyone who is not an employee of the City of Cape Town as doing so will be a contravention of the Protection of Personal Information Act as well as our own policies". The internal staff letter lists 65 staff members who were dismissed in October, November and December 2024. They were dismissed for assault, sexual harassment, theft, intoxication, dishonesty related to misconduct, fraud, gross negligence, insolence and misuse of council property vehicles. The letter also lists 20 staff members who either resigned or retired in the face of disciplinary action. Samwu’s Hlalanathi Gagayi said: "Our members are concerned about this practice. We have raised this issue, and they are continuing with the humiliation of our members … No one should be humiliated for dismissals.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Marvin Charles at News24 (subscription or trial registration required) Other internet posting(s) in this news category
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