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.
|
Nedlac announces consensus between labour, business and government on labour law reforms Engineering News reports that negotiations between organised business, organised labour and government, led by the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL), on a substantive labour law reform process have now concluded. The negotiations between these social partners have been ongoing since April 2022. The result of the conclusion of negotiations is 47 amendments to the Labour Relations Act (LRA), 13 amendments to the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA), two amendments to the National Minimum Wage Act and three amendments to the Employment Equity Act (EEA). The social partners' mandates are documented in a National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) report, which has been processed according to Nedlac’s governance structures. The report has been submitted to DEL Minister Nomakhosazana Meth and the Amendment Bills will now be submitted to the State Law Adviser for vetting before proceeding to Cabinet and Parliament. Among the changes that the social partners have agreed upon is a new Code of Good Practice on Dismissals, consolidating the previous two codes of good practice on dismissals and dismissals for operational requirements, while making special provisions for small businesses. This code has now been published for public comment. While the different constituencies sought various, sometimes conflicting, outcomes from the process, Nedlac said that the challenging negotiations were ultimately successful, in large part owing to the guidance of facilitators and support from legal drafters. Significant consensus was achieved on a number of key amendments (listed in Engineering News report). Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Engineering News Increase in BCEA earnings threshold will cover more employees The Citizen reports that the earnings threshold in terms of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) will expand the pool of “protected” employees when it increases on 1 April, ensuring that employees earning a salary that falls below the threshold have stricter protection. The earnings threshold as determined will increase to R261,748.45 per year, representing a R7,376.78 increase from the current threshold of R254,371.67. The definition of ‘earnings’ refers to an employee’s gross annual salary before deductions, including tax, UIF, medical aid and pension contributions. The threshold is a determination in terms of section 6(3) of the BCEA. If an employee earns a salary that falls below this earnings threshold, the provisions of the BCEA, the Labour Relations Act and Employment Equity Act apply. Protections include sections of the BCEA regulating ordinary hours of work, overtime, meal intervals, daily and weekly rest periods, Sunday pay, night work pay and public holidays. Employees earning above the threshold are not subject to those provisions as well as provisions in the LRA that apply to atypical employment arrangements, including those regulated under the temporary employment services (labour brokers) and fixed-term employment . They also cannot refer unfair discrimination disputes under the EEA to the CCMA, unless the dispute relates to sexual harassment or all parties agree to arbitration. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ina Opperman at The Citizen. See too, Big change for employees in South Africa next month, at BusinessTech
Police investigate death threats made against Nongoma acting municipal manager TimesLIVE reports that the acting municipal manager at the troubled Nongoma municipality in northern KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) received two telephonic death threats last week. Mpumelelo Mnguni was appointed in November to replace Nhlakanipho Zulu, whose appointment was set aside in the Pietermaritzburg High Court last year on the basis that he underqualified. Mnguni reported the threats he had received on two consecutive days to police. Mnguni advised that he was at work as it was “business as usual”. There is a recording which has gone viral on social media in which a man speaking isiZulu is heard threatening and swearing at Mnguni. The caller is heard asking Mnguni about his whereabouts. He gives Mnguni an ultimatum to meet him in KwaDukuza within two days or face death. The caller also told Mnguni he knew what car he drove. KZN police spokesperson Col Robert Netshiunda confirmed that police were investigating a case of intimidation laid by a Nongoma official. Nongoma is a volatile municipality after the deaths of councillors Ntombenhle Mchunu and Ndukwenhle Duma, and attempted hits on councillors Mphathiseni Manqele and Nonhlanhla Zungu since 2022. The municipality is facing another challenge with its mayor Clifford Ndabandaba, deputy mayor Sabelo Nkosi, speaker Babongile Sithole and an official, Njabulo Dludla, charged with corruption. The matter against them is pending and they are out on bail. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mlungisi Mhlophe-Gumede at TimesLIVE Joburg Deeds Office to be relocated within six weeks because of unresolved OHS issues Moneyweb reports that according to the Public Servants Association (PSA), a decision has been made to relocate the Johannesburg Deeds Office to an alternative building within six weeks. This after a meeting was held between the Director-General of the Department of Land Reform and Rural Development (DLRRD) and the Chief Registrar of Deeds, management and the PSA on Monday where it was agreed that the occupational health and safety (OHS) issues with the building “will persist as long as deeds employees remain in the current building”. “This move aims to ensure a safe working environment and restore normal service delivery,” the PSA’s Sibusiso Ndzala explained. The Marble Towers Building in central Johannesburg, which houses and has caused severe disruptions to the operations of the Joburg Deeds Office, was issued with a prohibition notice in December for alleged non-compliance with OHS regulations. The compliance deadline should have expired in mid-January 2025, but the building has remained open despite few, if any, of the compliance issues having been addressed. These OHS issues have resulted in many Deeds Office workers refusing to use the lifts to the 22nd, 25th, and 26th levels of the building because they fear for their safety. The OHS issues with the building involve malfunctioning and stuck elevators; construction activities occurring while employees are present, posing severe risks; poor ventilation owing to malfunctioning air-conditioning systems; and concerns that the ceiling tiles in the building contain asbestos. Ndzala further confirmed on Tuesday that service delivery remained disrupted due to the unresolved OHS issues, which posed a risk to employees’ health. Ndzala said there are more than 175 employees at the Joburg Deeds Office, of whom more than 100 were PSA members. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Roy Cokayne at Moneyweb Samwu condemns violent altercations between councillors, security in Ditsobotla municipality SowetanLive reports that the SA Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) has condemned a violent altercation last week at Ditsobotla municipality in the North West, allegedly involving municipal leadership and security personnel. Samwu provincial secretary Vincent Diphoko said that senior municipal officials were allegeldy involved in the ongoing conflict. “We understand it’s the heads of the municipality fighting each other. We don’t have their identities, but this is something that happens frequently at Ditsobotla. Samwu condemns in the strongest terms the violent altercations, including reports of gunfire and physical confrontations between councillors and municipal security,” said Diphoko. The chaos reportedly unfolded after two executive mayors, two speakers, and two municipal managers arrived at work simultaneously on Thursday and Friday. The two mayors are apparently from the ANC. “The ongoing divisions within the parties that form the council are not only shameful but also detrimental to the community. As workers and residents of the municipality, we call on all political parties to set aside their differences, act with urgency and resolve their intolerance through constructive dialogue. The time for political posturing is over; the time for action is now. We urge the minister of co-operative governance and traditional affairs and the premier of the North West to intervene without delay,” Diphoko exhorted. Police confirmed that a case had been opened after the incident. Read the original of the report in the above regard by Michelle Banda at SowetanLive
Ramaphosa blames AfriForum and Solidarity for US sanctions, accuses them of 'racist misinformation' City Press reports that President Cyril Ramaphosa has criticised lobby group AfriForum, describing the organisation as unpatriotic following its meeting with officials from US President Donald Trump’s administration recently. Ramaphosa accused AfriForum and the Solidarity Movement of spreading misinformation and racist narratives about SA, leading to punitive action by the US government. An AfriForum and Solidarity delegation recently travelled to the White House in Washington DC, where they submitted a memorandum to US officials, outlining their grievances against government. Addressing the National Assembly on Tuesday, Ramaphosa claimed that the actions of the US government against SA were instigated by the organisations' lobbying efforts. He went on to indicate: “Whether their actions were treasonous or not is a matter for our law enforcement agencies to investigate.” Trump recently announced several punitive measures against SA, including cutting financial aid and signing an executive order offering Afrikaners resettlement in the US. On 3 March, Hawks head Godfrey Lebeya revealed that four dockets of high treason were being investigated against organisations that sought US intervention against Ramaphosa and the ANC. Police Minister Senzo Mchunu said in Parliament last week that the police were taking the investigation into the treason charges against AfriForum “very seriously”. However, responding from the US, AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel dismissed the allegations, accusing government of targeting its critics. “Instead of wasting time on this issue, the Hawks should focus on the 94 ANC leaders implicated in corruption by the Zondo commission. Those individuals are being shielded from prosecution by the ANC-led government, while those who oppose the ANC’s reckless actions and policies are now being targeted,” he stated. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lunga Simelane at City Press (subscription or trial registration required). Read too, Ramaphosa calls AfriForum, Solidarity ‘unpatriotic’, but says ‘treason’ charge up to law enforcement, at TimesLIVE Other internet posting(s) in this news category
More mining smelters at risk of closure due to rising costs and falling ferrochrome prices Business Report writes that more smelter furnaces in SA will likely close down due to higher costs of production that are impacting operators against the backdrop of lower prices for ferrochrome. Merafe Resources could mothball up to two-thirds of ferrochrome production in terms of a business review which is expected to be completed by May. Zanele Matlala, CEO of Merafe, said during a briefing on the company’s financials on Monday that between six and eight of its remaining 12 operating furnaces were at risk. Ten furnaces at its Rustenburg and Lydenburg ferrochrome complexes have already been idled, translating to massive job losses. A near 700% increase in electricity prices over the last seven to eight years was the main cause of the reduction in Merafe’s ferrochrome production. “The reason we going into review is that our smelting operations are under tremendous pressure and are not making money at current prices. We are reviewing the ops to see if we can reduce the number of furnaces operating so that we can have some free cash,” Zanele Matlala advised. She added that Merafe expected pricing and operating environment “volatility to continue especially given the trade wars currently playing up” while China is also ramping up its ferrochrome production. “In this environment cash preservation will be our focus,” Matlalae indicated. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tawanda Karombo at Business Report. Read too, Merafe may idle up to two-thirds of ferrochrome production, at Miningmx
New Nedbank CEO received over R70m sign-on ‘bonus’ Moneyweb reports that the new Nedbank chief executive Jason Quinn, who was appointed with effect from June 2024, was awarded R62.7 million in shares under the group’s long-term incentive scheme in August and a further R9.15 million in a deferred short-term incentive in his first month at the group. According to Nedbank, these awards were made “in respect of the value of awards that he forfeited on resignation from his previous employer”. Quinn resigned as financial director of Absa Group on 22 November 2023 “with immediate effect”. He was required to serve a notice period and go on ‘gardening leave’ for six months. Quinn was interim CEO of Absa between April 2021 and March 2022. His former employer noted that as part of a “retention arrangement” agreed when former Absa CEO Arrie Rautenbach was appointed and Quinn returned to his previous position as financial director, as well as subsequent exit terms, “he forfeited 50% of all outstanding deferred short-term incentive awards and 100% of all long-term incentive awards on the date of notice of his resignation”. Absa said the “value of the awards subject to forfeiture, using the 31 December 2023 share price and before application of the adjustment for performance conditions on the 2021 long-term incentive, was R60.1m”, that he “retained deferred short-term incentive awards worth R6.6m”, and that those awards that are subject to “eligible leaver status will remain in the share incentive plan and will vest on their normal vesting date”. Quinn will get an annual long-term incentive award of R18 million this month from Nedbank for the current financial year. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Moneyweb. Read too, Former Nedbank CEO kissed R60 million goodbye when he left to join Absa, at BusinessTech
Actor Zolisa Xaluva takes legal action against Seriti for R350,000 in unpaid salaries for role in ‘Code 13’ City Press reports that actor Zolisa Xaluva is taking legal action to recover R350,000 in unpaid salaries for his lead role in the popular Mzansi Magic drama series, Code 13. The award-winning actor is seeking to enforce an arbitration award secured earlier this year, which found Seriti Productions in breach of a performance agreement for failing to pay Xaluva. The production house is renowned for creating SABC1's Skeem Saam and Gomora on Mzansi Magic. According to Xaluva’s enforcement application instituted at the South Gauteng High Court on 26 February 2025, the legal action comes against the backdrop of an arbitration process concluded by the Arbitration Association of Southern Africa, which found that the production house was liable for unpaid salaries between March and April last year. The legal papers also cite that Xaluva and the production house had agreed that he would receive payment for his role as Bheki Ndlovu when the contract was signed in April last year based on the number of calls he obtained to come on set. The papers also cite that the number of calls agreed upon had to match the remuneration amount that was discussed before the agreement was signed. They further allude to the production house having filing a counterclaim against the actor, which was apparently subsequently dismissed by the arbitrator. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mduduzi Nonyane at City Press (subscription or trial registration required)
Cosatu urges Ramaphosa not to renegotiate sections of NHI amid legal pushback BL Premium reports that while President Cyril Ramaphosa is deliberating on the rollout of the National Health Insurance (NHI) and negotiates with the DA on the fine print, ANC tripartite alliance partner Cosatu says it will fight any changes to the NHI Act. The Act has been a point of contention in the government of national unity (GNU). The DA has been pushing against its implementation, while the ANC’s tripartite alliance partners, the SACP and Cosatu, have formed a front to ensure its implementation. Cosatu leadership attended the SA Private Practitioners’ Forum (SAPPF) and the Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF) court case challenging Ramaphosa’s decision to sign the NHI Bill into law in the Pretoria High Court. Cosatu’s Mike Shingange commented: “We do not see why there must be negotiations with anybody about NHI because the bill was discussed for years before it was signed. Now, it has been passed and changing the law after that sounds unconstitutional because you do not do that unless you go back to parliament.” Cosatu is lobbying for unions and workers to demonstrate and fight against the private sector’s legal challenges to NHI. “We need to protect the NHI Act and Bela (Basic Education Laws Amendment) Act and all other progressive laws. We think pressure needs to be put and South Africans who stand to benefit from NHI must come out and defend the act.” Relations between the ANC and its tripartite alliance partners have been unsettled since the 29 May elections, after which the ANC partnered with the DA. In December, deputy president Paul Mashatile said the ANC would meet the SACP and Cosatu. Almost three months after the commitment was made the meeting has not taken place, Shingange said. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sinesipho Schrieber at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
Fired NSFAS lease deal whistleblower in Labour Court to fight for his job back News24 reports that the man who blew the whistle on a R177m National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) lease deal is fighting to get back his job. Facilities manager Alekhine Abrahams was charged and later dismissed by the scheme after he reported suspected wrongdoing to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) in relation to a multimillion-rand five-year lease the scheme had signed for offices in the Cape Town CBD. The matter was heard in the Cape Town Labour Court on Monday and is expected to continue until Thursday. Abrahams' primary duty was to oversee the management and coordination of the scheme's buildings. After NSFAS evaluated its organisational needs, it moved its offices from Wynberg to the Foreshore. Abrahams was apprehensive about the move due to the significant financial risk, and recommended that it be delayed by another year. But his pleas fell on deaf ears. In September 2022, Abrahams approached NSFAS' internal audit lead Amanda Basson to raise concerns about the allegedly fruitless and wasteful expenditure associated with the move. In court documents, Abrahams claimed Basson directed him to report the allegations to the SIU instead. Abrahams said on 13 September 2022, he met an SIU investigator and forwarded him seven emails from his work email account to Abrahams' personal email account. The information was leaked to UDM leader Bantu Holomisa, who exposed the saga on social media. This led to NSFAS' "investigation of private and sensitive information disclosure" and ultimately, Abrahams' dismissal. According to insiders, the scheme has and continues to be ruled with an iron fist, where there is no room for whistleblowers. They said there was a "culture" of purging those who lifted the lid on corruption. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Soyiso Malit at News24 (subscription or trial registration required) Other internet posting(s) in this news category
SAPU awaits probe into corruption allegations against six EMPD officers SABC News reports that the South African Policing Union (SAPU) says it will wait for the Independent Police Investigative Directorate’s (IPID’s) full investigation into the matter of the six Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) officers accused of corruption. The officers from the Drug Unit, arrested on charges of robbery with aggravating circumstances and defeating the ends of justice, have been granted bail of R3,000 each by the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court. It is alleged that the officers stopped a Congolese national for a supposed traffic violation a year ago. They later searched the victim’s home and allegedly stole R120,000 in cash before taking him to the Boksburg EMPD precinct, where they returned his car and released him without laying charges. SAPU spokesperson Lesiba Thobakgale said the officers’ arrest was unfortunate and commented further: “We clearly condemn any form of criminality, being it of corruption. Anyone before the law is not guilty up until the time that they are proven guilty. We have seen a modus operandi when it comes to drug cases, where you find that some of the drug lords have learned to use this strategy to say when the police come to arrest them, they know the better way to really scare the police is to make allegations that the police have taken money from them. Because in this case, they were not arrested on the scene where money was found on them.” Read the original of the report in the above regard at SABC News Other internet posting(s) in this news category
|
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page