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 Tuesday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South
African labour-related reports.
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Unions reject revised Transnet wage offer as parties start cooling-off period BL Premium reports that the United National Transport Union (Untu) and the SA Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) have rejected Transnet’s revised above-inflation wage offer, thus raising the spectre of an industrial action that could disrupt port operations. The parties met for intense negotiations over three days last week. The rail and ports operator revised its offer to 5.5% for the first and second years of a three-year deal and 5% for the last year. Transnet had previously offered increases of inflation plus 1% in the first year and inflation plus 0.5% in the second and third years, totalling a cumulative 14.5%. Inflation is hovering at about 3%. While the parties have embarked on a two-week cooling-off period, Untu and Satawu confirmed that they had rejected the employer’s revised offer. Untu’s Atenkosi Plaatjie said the union had revised its demands from a one-year, 12% across-the-board increase to 10%. Plaatjie indicated that Transnet management and labour would reconvene on 26 March for a “last attempt to find each other before reaching deadlock”. Satawu’s Amanda Tshemese commented: “We are not going to move from our demand of [a] 17.5% salary increment. The union is still open to negotiations.” She described the wage talks as “very tense”. Transnet pointed out that the revised offer remained above inflation and represented a 16% wage increment over the three years. It added: “This across-the-board offer includes an increase to basic salary and related components [13th cheque and pension fund contribution], medical aid subsidy and housing allowance.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
Police officer, young boy wounded in Elsies River shooting Cape Times reports that a Cape Town metro police officer and a young boy were wounded during a shooting when law enforcement agencies swooped on Elsies River as part of their operations to clampdown on ongoing gang violence in the area. Police said their officers were caught in the middle of a shootout between rival gang members after responding to information about a shooting in progress at an address in Leonsdale. “Some of the suspects started shooting at the police members who had to retaliate. One of the suspects sustained a bullet wound in the left foot but it was unclear whether he was shot by the rival group or police members. The members found 14 9mm rounds of ammunition in his possession. The 35-year-old man was arrested for the illegal possession of ammunition and attempted murder,” said police spokesperson Anelisiwe Manyana. The SAPS along with the City’s Metro police then proceeded to a premises in Leeusig Court. “While the members were busy with the search, they heard shots going off outside. When they investigated they found that a Metro Police member was wounded in his left knee and a boy who was playing was also shot and wounded. Both were taken to nearby hospitals for medical treatment,” Manyana said. No arrests were made during this incident. Police are investigating a case of attempted murder. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Cape Times Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Cosatu says more needs to be done to protect women from exploitation The Witness reports that labour federation Cosatu has spoken out against the ongoing exploitation of women in the workplace. Marking International Women’s Day on Saturday, Cosatu national spokesperson Zanele Sabela called on women to intensify the fight against oppression. “Today, as we celebrate International Women’s Day, we honour the contributions and resilience of working-class and poor women, who continue to bear the brunt of exploitation, oppression, and inequality. We recognise that women are disproportionately affected by poverty, unemployment, and lack of access to education, healthcare, and social services. We call on all workers to unite and mobilise against exploitation and oppression. We must build a stronger, more militant, and feminist labour movement that champions the rights and interests of all workers,” said Sabela. While she acknowledged that much has been done to protect women’s rights since the advent of democracy in 1994, Sabela stressed that more still needed to be done. “In South Africa, women workers face numerous challenges, including high unemployment and underemployment, low wages, poor working conditions, and limited access to education, training, and promotion opportunities,” Sabela lamented. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Clive Ndou at The Witness
Pick n Pay workers left in limbo as sudden Silverton store closure sparks protest The Citizen reports that it was business as usual at the Silverton Shopping Crossing in the East of Pretoria, even though members of the EFF picketed with employees in front of the Pick n Pay (PnP) store. Most of the shops in the centre remained open, except PnP, where staff in uniforms danced in front of the locked shop doors. “PnP you are killing us,” the members chanted, while police formed a human chain to guard the entrance. EFF activist Bongani King Ramontja from Mamelodi said many workers were worried about how they would be able to pay their debts come month-end after getting a verbal notice that the shop was closing its doors on 17 March. “The 51 members of our community that works for PnP were given two weeks’ notice that they were shutting down the store without any retrenchment packages, nor did they consult with them. Section 189 of the Labour Relations Act stipulates that employers must follow fair procedures when retrenching employees,” Ramontja said. He added that “we have engaged with them and written letters to the owners and the head office, but they have been sending us from pillar to post. The workers are very frustrated, they don’t know what was going to happen to them, come 17 March.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Marizka Coetzer at The Citizen
Portfolio committee warns that Amsa long-steel plant closures will impact many more than 3,500 direct jobs BusinessTech reports that the Parliamentary Select Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperation has warned that the imminent shutdown of Arcelor Mittal’s (Amsa’s) long steel production plants will impact far more jobs than the 3,500 directly affected. Committee chair Sonja Boshoff said the 3,500 job incumbents directly impacted by the closures desperately needed clear communication about their future – but warned that many more positions were at stake. She said there would be a ripple effect on small businesses that depended on the steel industry, including those supplying critical sectors such as mining, infrastructure development, and the automotive industry. “The automotive sector, which relies heavily on steel for manufacturing, will also feel the impact. Disruptions in the steel supply chain could affect production lines, putting even more jobs and economic growth at risk,” she pointed out. In January, Amsa announced that it had no choice but to wind down its Longs Business amid high energy costs, logistics constraints and an export scrap tax issue. The government facilitated a temporary reprieve in February through a loan from the Industrial Development Corporation. This provided a brief delay for additional talks. However, Amsa ultimately determined that no workable solutions had emerged, and at the end of February, it confirmed the final wind-down of the Longs Business. While the government has said its discussions with AMSA are ongoing, communication about the path forward has not been forthcoming.
GIWUSA calls for Gayton McKenzie's removal amid racial discrimination storm over job advert Cape Argus reports that the General Industries Workers Union of SA (GIWUSA) has called for the removal of Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, after allegations surfaced that his department’s recent job advert for two posts favoured certain racial groups and excluded black candidates. The posts advertised were for Deputy Director for Administration Support and Coordination and Parliamentary and Cabinet Support Officer. The advertisement had a note that read: “Preference will be given to Coloured Males, Indian Males, White Males, Coloured Females and Indian Females.” GIWUSA president Mametlwe Sebei called this move “crudely racist” and a flagrant act of systemic exclusion against African candidates and a blatant violation of the law. Sebei called on McKenzie to withdraw the advert immediately or for President Cyril Ramaphosa to intervene and make McKenzie retract it. In addition, Sebei called for a transparent review of the department’s recruitment policies under McKenzie’s leadership to ensure compliance with labour equity principles. On Facebook, McKenzie argued that his department’s hiring was aimed at addressing the historical imbalances in employment opportunities for certain racial groups. He defended his department’s approach, framing it as consistent with the Employment Equality Act (EEA), which seeks to ensure fair representation of all races in the workplace. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Simon Majadibodu at Cape Argus
City Power recalls staff from leave, increases overtime to clear electricity outage backlog The Citizen reports that City Power has intensified efforts to clear the backlog of power outages that have affected various parts of Johannesburg due to several contributing factors, including localised flooding, cable theft, and vandalism. On Sunday, the utility handled more than 6,000 logged outage queries, mainly from the Johannesburg Inner City, Roodepoort, Hursthill, and Randburg. The utility said it had recalled employees from leave, deployed additional technicians, and increased overtime for staff, to tackle the backlog particularly in high-pressure areas. “The main contributing factor to the massive delays we’ve encountered … was the heavy rainfall this week, which resulted in localised flooding,” City Power’s General Manager Isaac Mangena explained on Sunday. During load shedding over the weekend, the utility also faced an uptick in cable theft and vandalism, further delaying repairs. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Oratile Mashilo at The Citizen Motsoaledi claims that outdated RWOPS policy is why some state-employed doctors skip work or often arrive late The Citizen reports that Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has called for a review of the remunerative work outside the public service (RWOPS) policy amid concerns over abuse, particularly regarding doctors arriving late or being absent from their duties at state-owned hospitals. On Monday, the Office of Health Standards Compliance (OHSC) and the Health Ombud released findings from an investigation into allegations against Helen Joseph Hospital. This followed a series of videos posted on social media in September last year by former radio talk show host Tom London in which he alleged mistreatment, negligence, and poor infrastructure at the hospital. While the Health Ombud on Monday said many of London’s claims were unsubstantiated, the investigation confirmed issues related to infrastructure, governance, and service delivery at the hospital. OHSC Chief Executive Officer Dr Siphiwe Mndaweni said during Monday’s press conference: “The management admitted that they are struggling with doctors that are not at work at the time that they are supposed to.” Motsoaledi linked part of the absence and lateness of some doctors to alleged abuse of the RWOPS system. Under the RWOPS programme, healthcare workers are allowed to take on private sector jobs, but only if they obtain approval from their management. Motsoaledi stressed that the conditions under which health unions were advocating for RWOPS “no longer exist”. The minister called for an urgent review of the RWOPS policy. He said some doctors had even opened private practices when they were fully employed by the state. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Molefe Seeletsa at The Citizen. Read too, Probe into Helen Joseph sparked by Tom London videos finds 'significant infrastructure challenges', at News24
Motsoaledi forges ahead with NHI despite four court actions to stop it Fin24 reports that Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi is forging ahead to establish the institutions that will run the National Health Insurance (NHI) despite four legal challenges to the scheme currently before the courts. Last week, Motsoaledi published guidelines for public comment on the governance arrangements to establish the advisory committees required by the NHI Act. Like the NHI Act on which they are based, the draft regulations provide Motsoaledi with enormous powers to shape the NHI by appointing the NHI board and expert advisors on benefits and pricing. The NHI Act has not been promulgated yet, although it has been signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa. The first two of four court applications to declare the NHI unconstitutional kicked off last week, led by the Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF) and the SA Private Practitioners' Forum. Another two – one from trade union Solidarity and another by the Hospital Association of South Africa – wait in the wings. The BHF said it was disappointed that Motsoaledi had not waited for the applications' outcomes before proceeding with regulations. Solidarity said that Motsoaledi's actions were in direct contradiction to the interests of taxpayers. "While the finance minister is taking desperate measures to limit budget deficits, and tax increases seem to be inevitable, Minister Motsoaledi is persisting with a financially unsustainable project by appointing a board for the NHI," spokesperson Theuns du Buisson declared. He said that as the successful implementation of the NHI was unrealistic as "any appointments in this regard should be regarded as futile". Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Carol Paton at Fin24 (subscription or trial registration required)
EPWP workers protest against alleged nepotism at Pikitup IOL News reports that Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) workers contracted to Pikitup and affiliated to the Democratic Municipal and Aligned Workers Union of SA (Demawusa) on Monday handed over a memorandum of demands to the office of Joburg Mayor, Dada Morero. The frustrated group of workers accused the waste management company of unfair recruitment practices and nepotism, with some of its officials alleged to have hired their family members and girlfriends. On Monday these workers took to the streets of Braamfontein to demand of an end to the hiring of alleged bogus contractors while demanding permanent insourcing of their work in the city. They claimed that the city’s waste tendering system was flawed in that it resulted in tenderpreneurs pocketing millions while they earned less than R120 a day. Demawusa’s Meshack Ntshauba accused Pikitup of contracting unregistered contractors who exploited workers for their own gain and did not comply with labour laws. “We want Pikitup to permanently absorb these workers who are earning less than the prescribed minimum wage. Why is the city not employing them on a permanent basis because the cleaning of the city is permanent. We also want an independent forensic investigation to look into the unregistered and unaccounted for contractors who are not even registered with the CIPC and the department of labour. Why is Pikitup spending millions of rands contracting companies with no proper records and office spaces,” he asked. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Siyabonga Sithole at IOL News
Prasa launches investigation into controversial R18bn train signalling contracts Fin24 reports that the board of the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) has appointed Webber Wentzel to investigate allegations that the parastatal awarded two contracts totaling R18 billion to a company that failed to meet the tenders' requirements. Transport Minister Barbara Creecy made the announcement on Monday afternoon. This followed a report on Saturday that in May and July 2023, Prasa awarded the Macre Joint Venture (JV) and CRIG Maziya JV contracts worth R5.5 billion and R11.5 billion, respectively, despite the entities not meeting the necessary requirements. The two contracts were for the installation of train signalling equipment in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western Cape. Moreover, while the Macre and CRIG Maziya joint ventures look like two separate entities, they are, in fact, the same company. Companies constituting both joint ventures include Maziya General Services, the China Railway International Group (CRIG), and the China Railway Wuhan Electrification Group. Maziya General Services is owned by Chris Delport, a Gauteng businessman whose company has won a streak of lucrative government contracts. Creecy said Webber Wentzel's terms of reference included investigating the alleged procurement irregularities, fraudulent payments, non-compliance with bid bonds, awarding of unlawful contracts and non-payments to subcontractors. The law firm will also "assess compliance with the legal and regulatory frameworks in relation to the awarding of the contracts". A preliminary report must be produced within 30 days or sooner. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sipho Masondo at News24 (subscription or trial registration required)
Former Free State police station commander, accomplice jailed for stealing sheep during nighttime raid News24 reports that a former Free State police station commander, who used police equipment to steal sheep with an accomplice while on duty and in uniform, was sentenced to three years of direct imprisonment on Monday. Mokete Jacob Mokoena, 58, who had been attached to the Tweeling police station and his co-accused, Lefa Elias Mahlaba, 44, appeared in the Tweeling Magistrate's Court on Monday. The two were sentenced for stealing sheep from the Speekhoutboom farm in March 2021. According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Mokoena, who was also the commander of the Visible Policing Unit at the station, was on duty and patrolling in a marked police vehicle while in full uniform. He then solicited help from Mahlaba. NPA spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane said: “Under the cover of darkness, Mahlaba was dropped off at the farm Speekhoutboom, owned by the complainant, Mr Danie Muller. Mahlaba then rounded up five sheep, tying them with rope. He used Mokoena's official police torch, which had the police insignia and a serial number engraved on it, to carry out the crime." Mokoena later returned to the scene but was spotted by a private security company. The two fled in the marked police vehicle but were intercepted by the security officers. "Upon returning to the scene, the security team discovered Mokoena's police torch near the carcass of a slaughtered sheep,” Senokoatsane said. Despite initial denials by Mokoena, forensic evidence, including DNA and AVL tracking data, confirmed his involvement. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Noxolo Sibiya at News24 (subscription or trial registration required). Read too, Three years for station commander who helped steal sheep while on duty, at TimesLIVE Other internet posting(s) in this news category
E-hailing drivers protest outside Pietermaritzburg High Court over permit arrests The Witness reports that dozens of e-hailing drivers were outside the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Monday to demonstrate support for the drivers who were arrested and had their vehicles impounded last week. Chairperson of the Pietermaritzburg e-hailing association, Sipho Mabika, indicated that at least 11 e-hailing drivers were expected to appear in court on Monday, so “we’re here to show solidarity with them as the e-hailing driver community.” The drivers were arrested for allegedly not having proper permits to operate e-hailing services. Last week it was reported that law enforcement was impounding the cars of drivers who did not have the necessary permit to carry passengers. The City said they were clamping down on drivers to ensure the safety of passengers. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Prashalan Govender and view a video clip at The Witness. Read too, Frustrations rise among KZN e-hailing drivers over confusing permit requirements, at The Mercury Other internet posting(s) in this news category
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