In our roundup of weekend and recent reports,
see summaries of our selection of South
African labour-related articles.
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SA soldiers in DRC ‘just want to go home alive' Rapport writes that SA soldiers have to beg M23 rebels for water as they are effectively being held as prisoners of war at the Goma Airport in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). "You can't even wash the dust and mess from the battles off your body," one soldier lamented last week. The soldier described the situation as "probably the most humiliating" position SA troops have ever found themselves in. “We have to beg the M23 soldiers, who watch us like hawks, for water. One litre of water per soldier per day is nowhere near enough in this heat,” he said. Soldiers wishing to supplement their meagre supply have to rely on bottles of dirty water peddled by local residents through the airport fence. On Saturday, much-needed rainwater was carefully collected in all available containers. Last week, SA troops watched helplessly as their Malawian comrades packed their equipment on to their vehicles in preparation for their departure. The Malawians are part of the Southern African joint regional force (SAMIDRC). After three Malawian soldiers died in battles with the M23 rebels, President Lazarus Chakwera instructed his army to prepare for withdrawal. Fourteen South Africans also died in the battles, but, according to President Cyril Ramaphosa, there are no plans to abandon the mission. Meanwhile, the SA troops remain in the dark. The morale among the SA soldiers at Goma airport is at an all-time low. A soldier said: “We are left behind without an idea of what will happen to us. No one tells us anything.” On Friday, the last of their ration packs were distributed. They wonder if they will ever see their wives and children at home again and exactly what they have been fighting so hard for and why they had to lose their comrades to death. They “just want to go home alive." Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Erika Gibson at City Press (subscriber access only). Read this report in Afrikaans at Rapport Remains of 14 SANDF soldiers killed in DRC have arrived in Uganda EWN reported on Sunday morning that the remains of the 14 SA National Defence Force (SANDF) members who were killed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) had arrived in Entebbe, Uganda, following delays in the repatriation process. The members were killed in the eastern DRC two weeks ago. They were part of a multinational Southern African Development Community (SADC) force deployed to stabilise the region amid ongoing clashes between the DRC military and M23 rebels. The repatriation operation by the United Nations (UN) was initially set to see the bodies of the SANDF members arrive home on Wednesday. But security risks and rising tensions in the DRC and its neighbouring states delayed what should have been a one-day transfer, turning it into a three-day operation. SANDF spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini advised: “The mortal remains of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers arrived in Entebbe, Uganda. The standard pathology procedure will proceed. It is anticipated that all necessary procedures will be completed by no later than Tuesday, 11 February 2025. Further updates will be duly communicated.” Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Mbali Thethani at EWN. Read too, Anguish over return of fallen soldiers in DRC, at Sunday Times (subscriber access only) Slain SA soldiers' families 'may be denied body viewings due to advanced decomposition' News24 reports that the Funeral Industry Reformed Association (Fira) believes that the families of SA National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers killed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) may not be allowed to view the bodies of their loved ones due to concerns over advanced decomposition. The association’s chairperson, Johan Rousseau, said the soldiers’ bodies could be so decomposed that they could only be identifiable through DNA analysis. Rousseau indicated: “The normal circumstances would be [to have] sufficient resources because you have to prepare [the bodies]. If someone is killed in action, they do not die naturally. There needs to be refrigeration facilities [to store the remains]. In this case, they were killed in action, so automatically the deceased are exposed to bodily fluids and all that, and with the extensive heat of the DRC, the bodies will decompose within a matter of a day.” He added that the bereaved families would be met with a gruesome sight if they were allowed to view the bodies. However, SANDF spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini cautioned about further traumatising the bereaved families with unfounded statements. He questioned Fira’s authority to pronounce on the state of the remains and the basis of the association’s claims. Dlamini asked if Fira could provide evidence to back up its claims and insisted that there were hospitals and mortuaries where the soldiers had been deployed. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sipho Mabena at City Press (subscription or trial registration required) Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Two SANDF soldiers killed, 17 injured after military truck overturned in Northern Cape on Friday News24 reports that two SA National Defence Force (SANDF) members were killed and seventeen others injured when their military truck overturned on the R31 road in the Northern Cape. Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Sergio Kock said the accident occurred on Friday afternoon between Koopmansfontein and Delportshoop. The truck was en route from the Lohatla Army base to Kimberley when it overturned. Nineteen soldiers had been onboard. "The SANDF truck was travelling in rainy weather conditions when the accident occurred. Two SANDF members, a male and female, died on the scene, and 17 others were injured and transported to hospital for medical treatment," Kock indicated. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Iavan Pijoos at News24 Tswaing municipality in North West investigating deaths of two workers in a sewage manhole SABC News reports that the Tswaing local municipality in North West Province is investigating the deaths of two employees who lost their lives on duty on Thursday last week. The two were reportedly dispatched to unblock a drainage system in Agisanang Township outside Sannieshof. The pair, aged 38 and 53, perished inside a sewage manhole. Municipal spokesperson Osupile Tys indicated, “We have lost two of our employees yesterday who were busy trying to unblock the manhole. I can’t say anything further because we’re busy doing our internal investigation one, number two we’re still waiting for the postmortems and also we’re trying more to have ‘ubuntu,’ to respect the families. So we can’t give anything out. The formal report will detail everything that you need but for now can we please agree that we’re busy doing our internal investigations that will form the part of that formal report I’m referring to.” Meanwhile, the SA Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) Provincial Secretary, Vincent Diphoko said such incidents kept recurring. He claimed said there was seemingly no improvement in working conditions, despite the union having previously engaged different municipalities. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tebogo Phakedi at SABC News Read Vaya driver ‘went to work and came back as a dead body' Sunday Times reports that the family members of Rendani Tshilande, a Rea Vaya bus driver who was shot and killed last Monday night, are reeling and struggling to come to terms with his death. “He left Limpopo going to Joburg for work and he came back as a dead body,” said his uncle Reverend Fhulufhelo Tshilande. Rendani worked for Rea Vaya for about 10 years. On the day of the incident, the 48-year-old had left in the afternoon for his shift and the family later received a call of his tragic fatal shooting at about 9pm. Reverend Tshilande said Rendani left behind five children including a six-month-old baby. “We have lost so much as a family. We have lost a son whom we had expected a lot from. The children have lost a father and we don't know what is to become of them. Some family members are struggling to come to terms with this, they can't even eat,” he lamented. The family of Samuel Silinda, 30, who was also killed in a separate incident the same night are also failing to come to terms with the tragic news. On Tuesday, Gauteng police confirmed they were investigating two cases of murder after Tshilande and Silinda were killed in separate incidents. In the one incident, the driver (Silinda) had stopped at a robot along Wild Chestnut Street in Protea Glen, when he was shot and killed by unknown suspects. In the second incident at Tshithuthune Street, Mapetla in Soweto, an eyewitness who was the last passenger on the bus heard gunshots and took cover. The driver (Rendani) lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a wall. He was declared dead on the scene. The passenger sustained no injuries. There are as yet no suspects and police investigations are continuing. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Shonisani Tshikalange at Sunday Times (subscriber access only) Security officer fighting for his life in hospital after assault by a Durban high school learner Sunday Tribune reports that learners at Lakehaven Secondary School in Newlands East, north of Durban, are living in fear because of a learner who has been described as a bully and a delinquent and who smokes dagga on school premises. The fear stems from a recent incident, in which it is alleged that the Grade 12 learner beat up the school's security officer. The security officer had reported the learner to the school principal for smoking dagga. Allegedly, the learner sometimes smokes with one of the school's teachers. In a letter written by a learner, the principal was allegedly called to intervene; however, he just watched the assault and went back to his office. The letter further alleges that the principal later went on a classroom tour, instructing learners not to discuss the assault incident because it "had nothing to do with them." According to one of the parents, even the principal is scared of the learner. In the incident two weeks ago, it is alleged the learner came to school smoking dagga. The security officer denied him entry, but he forced his way in. He then went to a teacher's office, and when he came out, he made a beeline for the security officer and started assaulting him with punches and kicked him. The security officer is in a critical condition in hospital. A day after the incident, learners wrote a statement and gave to the police. The suspect learner has been arrested. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nhlakanipho Mnqayi at Sunday Tribune Other internet posting(s) in this news category
AfriForum and Solidarity reject US resettlement offer City Press reports that civil rights group AfriForum and trade union Solidarity have welcomed the political pressure US President Donald Trump has placed on the ANC government, but have rejected the withdrawal of US aid and the classification of Afrikaners as refugees. They were responding to the recent executive order issued by Trump, which halts foreign aid to SA and prioritises the resettlement of Afrikaners as victims of racial discrimination. Speaking at a joint press conference on Saturday, AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel placed the blame for the situation on the ANC and President Cyril Ramaphosa. He said: “We blame Ramaphosa as well as senior ANC leaders and some people in government for what is happening now. This is indeed a crisis.” Kriel pointed to the recently enacted Expropriation Act, which Trump’s executive order criticised for enabling the seizure of Afrikaner-owned agricultural land without compensation. Despite welcoming Trump’s recognition of “discrimination”, Kriel said the organisation had not lobbied for any resettlement initiative and reaffirmed that Afrikaners saw their future in SA. During the media briefing, Kriel said: “We are indigenous to this country, and we are going nowhere … We want to show appreciation to President Trump and the US government for recognising the discrimination that Afrikaners face through racial legislation, the Bela Act, and threats to property rights. But we have to state categorically: we don’t want to move elsewhere.” Kriel emphasised that AfriForum sought recognition as an equal community in SA and intended to push for negotiations to resolve issues locally. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lunga Simelane and Sthembiso Lebuso at City Press (subscription or trial registration required). Read too, Afrikaners give a polite ‘no thanks’ to Trump’s emigration offer, at BusinessLive. En ook, ‘Afrikaners se toekoms in Afrika’ – AfriForum, by Maroela Media Other internet posting(s) in this news category
‘Exxaro tainted by CEO’s acrimonious exit’ Business Times reports that an analyst has described the acrimonious exit of Exxaro Resources CEO Nombasa Tsengwa, who resigned on Thursday after a failed attempt to have her suspension lifted, as “not good for the company”. Yonelisa Petse of Aeon Investment Management was critical of the way the board of the coal miner handled its disagreement with Tsengwa. “This situation raises questions about the board’s oversight and why these issues weren’t addressed earlier. The oversight of the board has been brought into question with all the allegations which may or may not have credence,” Petse said. He now anticipates that investors will exercise caution when dealing with the company. He went on to say: “While the company’s survival is unlikely to be threatened due to its essential role in the energy sector, investor caution is anticipated, potentially leading to a governance overhang, increased M&A risk and valuation impacts.” But, the fight between Exxaro and Tsengwa might not be over. Her lawyer, Eddie Classen, said his client was aggrieved at how the board had handled the disciplinary process and investigation conducted by the law firm ENS Africa, describing both as unfair. He hinted that his client might go back to court to seek some form of redress. “She is presently considering her remedies and is reserving her rights,” Classen indicated. Tsengwa was placed on precautionary suspension in December pending the outcome of an independent investigation into workplace conduct and governance issues. Tsengwa approached the Pretoria High Court seeking to challenge her suspension, but a judge ruled on Wednesday that the matter was not urgent. The next day, Exxaro announced her resignation as CEO and board member with immediate effect. The company said it had commenced the search for a new CEO. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Dineo Faku at BusinessLive (subscriber access only) Other labour / community posting(s) relating to mining
Netcare CEO delays his retirement again after selected candidate to replace him pulls out at last minute BL Premium reports that private hospital group Netcare announced that it has extended CEO Richard Friedland’s contract after the candidate it had identified for the role pulled out at the last minute. In a statement accompanying the results of its latest AGM on Friday, Netcare told shareholders that the selected candidate recently informed its board of “certain unforeseen contractual obligations” preventing the candidate from assuming the role of CEO within the agreed time frame. As a result, it said Friedland had accepted the board’s request to continue serving as CEO until September 2026, so delaying his retirement further and prolonging the group’s hunt for new leadership. In July 2023, Friedland announced that he would step down from the role by the end of September last year, but his effective retirement date was postponed by six months after his replacement was reportedly unavailable for an extended period. With the group returning to the recruitment drawing board again, Netcare said its board “remains committed to the CEO succession planning process and will continue working towards identifying a suitable candidate to ensure a smooth and strategic transition”. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jacob Webster at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
Audit reveals that UIF job interviews fail to follow procedure and lack integrity Sunday World reports that an internal audit has uncovered significant flaws and irregularities in the recruitment process for the deputy director of communication at the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF). The audit, covering 8 to 20 May 2024, has raised concerns about the hiring procedures, highlighting an urgent need for reform towards a fair and transparent recruitment process. Before his suspension last September, UIF commissioner Teboho Maruping received complaints from unions regarding alleged irregularities in hiring practices under the oversight of advocate Mzie Yawa, the chief director of corporate services. Maruping noted several irregularities upon reviewing the submissions related to appointments and subsequently requested an internal audit. Notably, the audit did not identify any single individual responsible for the discrepancies. Responding to enquiries about the appointment of the deputy director of communication, Yawa, now acting in Maruping’s position, stated: “Regarding your inquiry on the appointment of the deputy director: communication, we wish to inform you that a grievance process, in terms of our policies, is already underway to determine whether there is merit in the complaint of non-appointment by one of the candidates. In view thereof, we propose not to divulge more information on the issue or deal with the matter in the media. We are confident that the appointment in question complies with applicable legislation, regulations, and policies.” The internal audit report highlights critical issues within the recruitment and selection policy. It particularly points out the absence of a clear process for addressing errors in candidates’ information identified after interview notifications. This omission undermines the recruitment process’s integrity, leaving room for errors and inconsistencies. Complications further arise when appointed panel members decline their roles or when labour representatives fail to attend key sessions. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Setumo Stone at Sunday World
Two female Free State cops arrested for assaulting GBV complainant appear in court News24 reports that two female police officers accused of assaulting a woman at the Heidedal police station in Bloemfontein have made their first court appearance. National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane said the police officers, Molebogeng Lucia Marumo and Mamorena Suzen Shuping, appeared in the Bloemspruit District Court on Friday. They have been charged with assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm after CCTV footage captured them repeatedly and brutally attacking a woman inside and outside the police station. The woman, Steffnie Booysen, had approached the officers for assistance after her boyfriend had violated a protection order. Senokoatsane said the police officers were charged following an investigation by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate. The accused were granted bail, which was set at R1,000 each, and the matter was postponed to 7 March 2025. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Alex Mitchley at News24 (subscription or trial registration required)
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