In our Friday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South
African labour-related reports.
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End of an era as ‘serial dealmaker’ Neal Froneman to retire as Sibanye-Stillwater CEO in September BL Premium reports that Sibanye-Stillwater CEO Neal Froneman will retire from the role in September, having catapulted the group from a relatively small miner into one of the SA’s largest mining houses over the past decade with a string of acquisitions. He rarely lost out on clinching deals. Froneman will be replaced by Richard Stewart, the group’s chief regional officer for Southern Africa. Before his current role, Stewart was executive vice-president of business development and then COO. Sibanye-Stillwater chair Vincent Maphai hailed Froneman for his role since being at the helm of the group in 2013, saying his influence in the industry extended well beyond the company. He said: “Neal leaves behind a proud legacy at Sibanye-Stillwater and in the SA mining industry, which is testament to his strategic vision and inspirational leadership … Neal’s legacy extends far beyond his role at Sibanye-Stillwater and he is highly regarded as a thought leader globally. His prominent roles as chair of the World Gold Council and co-leading the Crime and Corruption workstream for business in SA, among other high-level engagements, suggest he will contribute to the advancement of the global minerals industry in various ways in future.” During his tenure, Froneman led the diversification of the company, giving it exposure to assets on five continents. Froneman has been on an acquisition spree over the past decade, . Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Kabelo Khumalo at BusinessLive (subscriber access only). Read too, Neal Froneman to retire as Sibanye CEO, at Fin24 (subscription or trial registration required). And also, Sibanye CEO Neal Froneman retires, at Moneyweb Sibanye-Stillwater appoints Richard Stewart as CEO-designate Miningmx reports that Sibanye-Stillwater CEO Neal Froneman is set to retire in September this year and will be replaced by Richard Stewart, chief regional officer of Southern African operations. Stewart will serve as CEO-designate from 1 March and will carry those duties in addition to his current role. The group said it had sought candidates from both within and outside the company, but plumbed for Stewart as the standout applicant. Stewart joined the company in 2014 when he was responsible for “jointly charting and implementing the group’s strategy”. A long-time ally of Froneman, Stewart is a geologist who helped forge Sibanye’s platinum-group metals operations. He was appointed chief operating officer at the end of 2020, before taking on the role of chief regional officer for southern Africa in 2022. Asked to comment earlier this month, Froneman said he did not plan to “spend the rest of my life working”. The company has a mandatory retirement age of 65 years for executives, which Froneman has reached, said Sibanye-Stillwater. Froneman founded Sibanye-Stillwater, then called Sibanye Gold, in 2013 after taking over Gold Fields’ South African mines Driefontein and Kloof. Making short work of Gold Fields’ difficulties with the operations at the time, Froneman cut costs, improved margins, and used them as a foundation for an aggressive acquisition spree in platinum group metals. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by David McKay at Miningmx
KZN EMS workers 'brazenly attacked' while responding to hoax call News24 reports that KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) emergency medical services (EMS) staff from the Nongoma base in the Zululand District were "brazenly attacked" while responding to a hoax call on Monday. "In the latest of a series of attacks targeting EMS vehicles, individuals deliberately lured the crew by falsely requesting an ambulance to assist a purported diabetic patient suffering from chest pains in the KwaDabhasi Othinsangu area, outside Nongoma town," Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane indicated. She went on to report: "Instead of finding a patient in need, the EMS personnel were deceived into exiting their vehicle and walking downhill towards a homestead where the patient was supposedly located. They were then robbed at gunpoint, and forced to surrender their belongings, including cellphones and wallets." One of the EMS members was assaulted and sustained facial injuries. "Fortunately, the team managed to escape, return to their vehicle, and drive to the nearest police station," Simelane said. She described the attack as "deeply troubling" and noted that it was not an isolated incident. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nicole McCain at News24 (subscription or trial registration required)
Remains of fallen SA soldiers arrive home from DRC SowetanLive reports that SA National Defence Force (SANDF) chaplin-general Ernest Masewu on Thursday paid tribute to the 14 soldiers who died while serving in a UN peacekeeping mission in Goma, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Masewu was speaking at Air Force Base Swartkop in Centurion, ahead of a handover ceremony and memorial service for the fallen troops. The soldiers died in fighting in Goma last month and their bodies arrived home on Wednesday night. Masewu described the fallen troops as heroes who selflessly dedicated their lives to peace on the continent. He addressed criticism of the SANDF’s presence in the DRC, stressing that their deployment was not a random decision. Masewu pointed out that the SANDF had been supporting the bereaved families since the tragedy occurred. “The chaplins went to visit the families, the social workers, psychologists also went,” he stated, adding that the families were given the opportunity to view the bodies before taking them home for burial. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Koena Mashale at BusinessLive. Read too, Sobbing families brave the wet weather as SANDF hands over fallen soldiers, at Sunday Times Daily (subscriber access only). En ook, Gesneuwelde soldate eindelik tuis, by Maroela Media Ramaphosa pays tribute to South Africa’s soldiers killed in the DRC Cape Argus reports that at a solemn ceremony to mark the return of the remains of 14 SA National Defence Force (SANDF) members on Thursday night, President Cyril Ramaphosa offered his “profound and deepest” sympathies to the families of those who were killed in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) recently. “They lost their lives in the name of duty, in pursuit of peace and in the cause of silencing the guns across our beloved continent, Africa. They lost their lives in defence of the defenceless,” the president said. “Tonight we stand here with heavy hearts. Our nation is in mourning for these brave souls who lost their lives in defence of our brothers and sisters in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. We have fulfilled our duty to bring our soldiers home. We must fulfil our duty to complete their mission,” Ramaphosa indicated. He thanked the Ministry of Defence and the leadership of the SANDF for making every effort to repatriate the remains of the fallen troops to their families, as well as the United Nations, the Southern African Development Community and other governments for their assistance. “This was an operation involving considerable logistical challenges at a time when the security situation in the eastern DRC remains volatile,” the president pointed out. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Zelda Venter at Cape Argus Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Ramaphosa will engage with Trump’s administration ‘but not with AfriForum and Solidarity’ City Press reports that President Cyril Ramaphosa is open to engaging with US President Donald Trump’s administration about rising diplomatic tension, but has no intention of meeting with AfriForum or Solidarity, the Presidency has confirmed. Speaking to SABC News after the state of the nation address debate on Tuesday, presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya dismissed AfriForum's request for a meeting, accusing the civil rights organisation of deliberately misrepresenting SA on the international stage. “It's not clear as to exactly why are they seeking an audience with the president now, but I can tell you categorically, the president will not meet with them,” Magwenya stated. Despite welcoming Trump’s recognition of “discrimination”, AfriForum’s CEO Kallie Kriel said the organisation had not lobbied for any resettlement initiative and reaffirmed that Afrikaners saw their future in SA. The organisation has faced backlash from critics who accuse it of spreading misinformation about SA’s land policies and fuelling tension with the US government. AfriForum and Solidarity recently expressed interest in engaging with Ramaphosa after Trump signed an executive order offering Afrikaners refugee status in the US. The order, titled Addressing Egregious Actions of the Republic of South Africa, was signed on 7 February. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lunga Simelane at City Press (subscriber access only). Read too, AfriForum pleads for restraint as Trump backlash intensifies, at City Press. En ook, AfriForum kap terug ná ‘kwetsende, opruiende’ uitsprake, by Maroela Media Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Samwu not giving up on claim of R9.6 million against former deputy general-secretary Moses Miya IOL News reports that the SA Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) intends to further pursue its claim of over R9.6 million from its former deputy general secretary Moses Miya, who is accused of stealing the money over three years. Miya was the Cosatu affiliate’s national office bearer between 2012 and 2015. He was later elected deputy general secretary, a position he held from 2016 to 2018, when he was suspended following a damning report by auditors Ernst and Young. He was fired in March 2020 for failing to comply with the conditions of his suspension. Miya allegedly perpetrated a series of thefts and/or fraud from January 2012 to December 2015, when he unlawfully caused sums of money to be transferred from Samwu’s bank accounts into the accounts of the union’s service providers. Samwu laid criminal charges against Miya in 2015 accusing him of having committed fraud, theft, and alternatively, money laundering, but the matter was struck off the roll by the Johannesburg Commercial Crimes Court in October 2017. The union then instituted action in the Free State High Court against Miya for the payment of R9.6m. Two weeks ago, Judge Joseph Mhlambi found that the Free State High Court has no jurisdiction to entertain Samwu’s action. The basis of Miya’s special plea on jurisdiction was that he was based in Gauteng whereas the union filed its bid to recover the millions in the Free State, where his wife lived. The judge also held that the union took too long to launch its application, which only took place in 2023. Samwu’s current general secretary Dumisane Magagula commented: “We are in possession of legal opinion from our legal counsel which states that we have very good prospects of success to appeal the ruling. We shall be consulting our executive structure on whether we should appeal or simply take the matter to another court.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Loyiso Sidimba at IOL News
Angry workers protest over Gqeberha-based company using unskilled workers from Durban GroundUp reports that about 60 members of the Ibhayi Workers Forum protested outside the premises of marine and offshore engineering firm Dormac in the Markman Industrial area, Gqeberha, on Thursday. Forum leader Mzimkulu Piliso indicated: “All these people are unemployed and had high hopes of getting hired when the company opened last year. Some even went through the process of interviewing and were promised jobs, but they are still in the cold. He claimed Dormac had brought in unskilled workers from Durban, where the company had relocated from last year. Tabitha Mati, of Wells Estate, said: “I worked for Dormac as a cleaner in 2019 before the company went away, only to come back in 2024 … I was working on short contracts, though they promised most workers that they would be given preference when the company is back. But we are now left in the lurch.” A memo was handed to a Dormac representative. It demanded that the company should fill 80% of unskilled jobs with local workers and provide proof of compliance. It also criticised what the forum claimed were unfair labour practices at the company. The forum said that if Dormac did not respond, it would lobby government to block the company from getting tenders in Gqeberha. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Joseph Chirume at GroundUp
Unemployed KZN teachers scammed into paying fee for non-existent teaching posts Daily News reports that it has become a “serious concern” for the Department of Education that unemployed teachers in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) were being duped by a scamster into believing that she could arrange teaching jobs for a fee. The department condemned the activities of the alleged perpetrator, who apparently goes by the name of “Amahle Nene-Sishi”. To authenticate her scheme, the con artist apparently shows photos of herself with senior department officials – including MEC for Education in KZN, Sipho Hlomuka – to unsuspecting individuals to win their confidence. Education spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi said: “The department categorically distances itself from this individual and strongly condemns any fraudulent activities that seek to exploit job seekers under false pretences.” Hlomuka emphasized that neither he nor any department officials were involved in such criminal activities. “I urge all individuals who have been defrauded to report these incidents to the police immediately. The department has already escalated this matter to law enforcement agencies for urgent investigation, and we will fully cooperate to ensure that justice is served,” Hlomuka said. Mahlambi added that the department reaffirmed its commitment to ethical recruitment processes and warned the public to remain vigilant against fraudulent schemes. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Thobeka Ngema at Daily News
New rules for para-vets will ease burden of livestock disease Sunday Times Daily reports that the SA Veterinary Council (SAVC) has bolstered efforts to help prevent livestock disease outbreaks by introducing new rules for para-veterinary professionals. Since the council introduced the new rules, 65 new para-veterinary facilities have been registered. Para-vets, including nurses, animal health technicians and physiotherapists, play a vital role in maintaining animal health and preventing disease outbreaks. Last year the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal were severely affected by outbreaks of foot and mouth disease among livestock. Now communities – especially in underserved rural areas – are benefiting from the gradual mushrooming of these new facilities. Dr Nandipha Ndudane, head of the SAVC, noted that many para-vets were at the coalface of animal healthcare and were instrumental in keeping livestock healthy on farms, while referring serious cases to vets. Dr Tanya Grantham, who inspects facilities on behalf of the SAVC, said allowing para-vets to open their own facilities was a positive step in terms of their self-development and self-actualisation. “Every facility that complies with the minimum standards of practice, and every professional who works within their profession’s scope of practice and maintains their professional development, will benefit the South African population,” she pointed out. Grantham said the option of offering mobile services was potentially a game changer for para-vets, who were concerned about the expenses associated with running a business. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Suthentira Govender at Sunday Times Daily (subscriber access only). Lees ook, Trap-trap tot by veearts, by Maroela Media
Two more KZN Public Works officials axed in multimillion-rand tender saga The Witness reports that the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure, Martin Meyer, has confirmed the dismissal of two more officials embroiled in a multimillion-rand tender saga. The two officials were found guilty of gross misconduct and failure to exercise oversight as entrusted to them. They are the latest to be found guilty following the recent axing of SCM Director in the matter. The first official was fired in January. He was the Supply Chain Management Director whose actions of gross negligence have cost the department R1.1 billion. According to the department’s statement, he served as a Chief Financial Officer and was found guilty of failing to conduct oversight, mitigate budgetary violation as well as missing documents and minutes. The second axed official served as chief director of infrastructure programme coordination, acting deputy director-general of infrastructure maintenance and technical support and chair of the employer’s central bid evaluation committee (CBEC). Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Khethukuthula Xulu at The Witness Retired police officer given R15,000 fine for disposing of evidence in illegal mining case IOL News reports that a former Mpumalanga Warrant Officer, who disposed of evidence after it had been booking in, has been fined R15,000 or three years imprisonment. Samuel Bassie Mahlangu, now a pensioner, appeared in the Delmas Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday for defeating the ends of justice and tampering with evidence. Hawks spokesperson, Warrant Officer Thandi Tshabalala said that on 1 August 2023, members of the Hawks and the National Crime Intelligence (NCI) conducted an operation on illegal mining, during which they seized gold-bearing material and booked it in the SA Police Service (SAPS) exhibit register at Delmas police station. The following day, a member of the NCI went to the Delmas police station to collect the exhibits. However, Mahlangu told the officer that he had discarded the items because he was unaware that they were exhibits to be used in a case. “He further showed them where he had dumped the exhibits in a bin used for garbage at the back of the police station,’’ said Tshabalala. Mahlangu also failed to record the disposal in the occurrence book. "The former police member was sentenced to three years imprisonment with an option to pay a R15,000 fine. One year or R5,000 was suspended for five years on condition that the accused is not found guilty of similar offenses during the period of the suspension," said Tshabalala. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sinenhlanhla Masilela at IOL News Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Bail applications for the four suspects in Putco bus arson postponed to 19 February IOL News reports that the bail applications of the four suspects linked to the arson and damage to property of 50 Putco buses last month has been postponed to 19 February. Monica Nyuswa, spokesperson for the NPA’s regional division, confirmed the postponement and explained that the two suspects, namely Steven Sipho Ndlovu and Mduduzi Luvuyo Msimango, had appeared in the Mdutjane Magistrate’s Court the day prior for legal representation processes. “Yes, the four suspects appeared briefly on Thursday and the case was postponed to 19 February for accused 3 and 4 to be profiled, and for the formal bail application to resume,” she reported. The extensive arson incident, which took place on 28 January, has caused significant repercussions for the affected bus company, Putco, which estimates its damages to exceed R200 million. The coordinated assault on the bus fleet took place at four depots within the Nkangala District, posing a substantial threat not only to public transport safety but also to the economic stability of the wider community. Ndlovu and Msimango are charged on similar charges to those of their co-accused, Isaac Mabena and Luthando Skosana, who were arrested last month after police linked them to involvement in the arson. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Siyabonga Sithole at IOL News
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