In our Wednesday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South
African labour-related reports.
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Unions declare dispute after Prasa fails at three successive meetings to respond to wage demands BL Premium reports that the two largest unions at the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) have declared a dispute at the CCMA and are threatening industrial action after the rail operator “refused” to formally respond to demands for wage increases. The SA Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) and the United National Transport Union (Untu) on Monday both declared a dispute with the CCMA after talks, which began early this year, stalled for the third time. The unions’ consolidated wage demands include a 15% across-the-board wage increase for 2025/26. They are also demanding a R3,000 housing subsidy, R50 per hour standby allowance, R10 per hour night shift allowance, a moratorium on retrenchments and a medical aid subsidy with the employer contributing 70%, among other demands. Untu spokesperson Atenkosi Plaatjie said Prasa management had yet to respond to labour’s demands. “This marks the third attempt by labour to secure an official response to the demands mandated by our members. Yet, Prasa management has responded with nothing but arrogance and blatant disregard for the collective bargaining process.” He explained further: “The first time we met, they said they were not ready. The second time, they said they are waiting for the tabling of the budget speech. On Monday, they said they are waiting for the board to approve their offer.” Satawu’s Amanda Tshemese said: “We started these negotiations early this year but as always, the management kept coming unprepared with nothing to offer at all … We want to make it clear we are left with no choice but to go on strike [as] it is clear that the employer prefers to negotiate on the streets.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
Police 'will respond decisively', says national commissioner after 21 cops killed since April 2024 News24 reports that as criminals increasingly engage in gun battles with police, national police commissioner General Fannie Masemola has warned that officers "will respond decisively as empowered by relevant legislation". Since April last year, 21 police officers have been killed in the line of duty, according to the commissioner. "This is an alarming figure that calls for community members and civil society to rally behind the police and fight against life-threatening criminality," he indicated. Masemola added: "Police have observed with concern statements issued in defence of criminals and questionable silence when police officers are killed in the line of duty, including community members, who are always at risk and at times killed as innocent bystanders." Masemola's comments came in the wake of an incident in the Marry Me informal settlement in Soshanguve over the weekend in which five people were killed and seven were injured. Preliminary investigations established that a group of community-based patrollers were meeting ahead of their patrols when they noticed five people in the street and approached them. An altercation ensued, which later turned deadly. Numerous shootouts have also occurred in various parts of the country. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nicole McCain at News24 (subscription or trial registration required). Lees ook, Solank as misdadigers aanval, sal polisie reageer – Masemola, by Maroela Media. En, Twee in hof ná aanval op Soshanguve patrolleerders, by Maroela Media
SA’s job market paradox shows 12,000 new jobs created quarter-on-quarter, but 91,000 job losses year-on-year Business Report writes that Statistics SA (StatsSA) released the Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES) survey for the last quarter of 2024 on Tuesday. The report revealed that total employment increased by 12,000 from 10,628,000 in September 2024 to 10,640,000 in December 2024 as a result of an increase in employment in trade, business services, transport and electricity. However, the report also revealed that 91,000 people in various sectors lost their jobs between December 2023 and December 2024, with 26,000 people in full-time employment losing their jobs in the same period. This was due to the decrease in employment in community services, manufacturing, construction and mining. SA has a population of 54,500,000 people, almost half of which are subjected to poverty and unemployment, including discouraged work seekers, 45% of which are young people between the ages of 15 and 34, according to StatsSA. According to the QES survey, basic salary/wages paid to employees increased by R9.5bn or 1.1% quarter-on-quarter, from R880.2bn in September 2024 to R889.7bn in December 2024. Year-on-year, basic salary/wages increased by R34.1bn or 4.0% between December 2023 and December 2024. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Koketso Phasha at IOL News. Read too, Non-agricultural sector created 12,000 jobs in last quarter of 2024, at BusinessLive (subscriber access only) Durban's tech skills shortage threatens city’s economic growth The Mercury reports that Durban is battling to attract and retain people with critical skills that are needed to advance its economy. This sentiment was expressed by business leaders and academics after it was revealed at a recent Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry event that hundreds of mid-size businesses in the city have closed down. Ebrahim Asmal from the Durban University of Technology noted that Durban faced challenges in attracting top talent, particularly in scarce skills within the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) space, such as AI, machine learning and robotics. Gary Nagoor, CFO of the Royal Tyres Group, said his company has tried to introduce artificial intelligence (AI) into its operations, but has struggled to find people with the required skills because talent is scarce in Durban. “We have been finding it very difficult to recruit, candidates prefer Johannesburg or Cape Town simply because the quality of life there is better … There is a lot that needs to be done from a governmental perspective, from a safety perspective, and from an infrastructure perspective so that we can draw the right talent.” Dr Ntokozo Nzimande, a research associate in the Macroeconomics Research Unit at the University of KwaZulu-Natal who has worked on compiling the Durban Business Confidence Index, said the issue was largely the size of the economies of the other cities. “If you look at the number of people moving from KZN to Johannesburg and Cape Town, you can see that it is not just a skills issue; we might have the skills, but we do not have the economy that is capable of absorbing these skills.” He emphasised that introducing AI skills is crucial for boosting productivity and economic growth. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Thami Magubane at The Mercury
Steenhuisen ‘desperately’ waiting as Roman Cabanac still in office six months after being asked to leave Daily Maverick reports that Roman Cabanac is still working as chief of staff for Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen, despite the minister indicating six months ago that he had asked the podcaster to consider resigning. Cabanac was appointed as a senior civil servant after the 2024 elections. Questions were immediately raised about his qualifications and past inflammatory statements, such as derogatory comments towards senior government officials, including President Cyril Ramaphosa. This week, Cabanac indicated: “I am continuing with my job as per my contract. The minister is communicating in the media that a resolution is ‘close’ but I haven’t had any formal communications in this regard.” Steenhuisen advised this week: “Despite being a political appointment, Mr Cabanac refused to resign when asked to step down. We too are waiting desperately for action to be taken … It is vital to ensure that procedure is followed to the letter of the law and the internal practice of the department. I am assured by my HR department that they are treating this matter with the urgency it deserves and with due regard to the necessary protections offered to every single employee in the department, including Mr Cabanac.” The position of chief of staff comes with an annual salary of R1,436,022 as part of a remuneration package, at taxpayers’ expense. The Public Service Association’s (PSA’s) Reuben Maleka criticised Steenhuisen’s handling of the Cabanac matter and said: “The minister has abdicated his responsibilities to invoke a disciplinary hearing, or he is deliberately dragging the matter with no intention of terminating Mr Cabanac’s employment.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Suné Payne at Daily Maverick
Embattled Safa fails to pay March salaries on payday SowetanLive writes that just when Bafana Bafana are spreading positivity across the country, thanks to their recent impressive form, it's not all rosy at SA Football Association (Safa) House. The association has failed to pay its staff this month's salaries on time. "We are writing to inform you that, regrettably, we will not be able to pay your salaries tomorrow [on Tuesday]. Normally, your salaries are paid on the 25th of each month. However, due to a delayed payment from one of our partners, inevitably we will also delay your salary payments,'' reads a letter sent by Safa CEO Lydia Monyepao to the association's employees on Monday. In the same letter, Monyepao suggested that Safa's coffers had run dry, despite the association having vehemently dismissed claims that it was bankrupt in the past. "Unfortunately, at this stage we do not have adequate financial reserves to make up for this delayed payment. We have received a commitment from the partner that we will have our payment before 31st March 2024. Therefore, your March salaries will be paid by March 31st 2025,'' the letter to Safa employees indicates. Safa's financial difficulties are well-documented. Last December, Monyepao admitted the association was still owing Bafana and Banyana Banyana players payments in match bonuses. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sihle Ndebele at SowetanLive OR Tambo district trying to claw back R11m in danger pay made in error, but staff are hanging onto the money News24 reports that the OR Tambo District Municipality is fighting many of its employees to claw back R11 million incorrectly paid as danger pay. Twelve employees have indicated their willingness to pay back the money they received in error. But, another 750 are refusing to do so, opting instead to defend their case in court. During the 2021 financial year, the municipality incorrectly paid the Covid-19 danger allowance to employees who worked during the national lockdown using an unapproved rate. An amount of R11 million was involved. Municipal chief financial officer Siyasanga Ndakisa said they have detailed their plans to remedy the situation with the Auditor-General. "We are at the last leg of those steps, which we are taking with the Auditor-General, who is continuously monitoring those steps. We have written to all the employees who were affected. The matter has been taken to our legal team now to also go to court to enforce the process," he indicated. Municipal manager Basil Mase said they had initiated court proceedings at the Eastern Cape High Court in Makhanda. "We are hopeful that matters get underway speedily," he said. On Tuesday, the National Assembly's Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) visited the district council's municipal offices as part of its oversight of problematic Eastern Cape municipalities. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jason Felix at News24 (subscription or trial registration required)
Police officer blows the whistle on matric certificate fraud at Joburg CBD internet cafe TimesLIVE reports that two women aged 24 and 30 have been arrested in the Johannesburg city centre on charges of falsifying matric certificates. Hawks spokesperson Lt-Col Lloyd Ramovha said officials made the arrests after an alert police officer observed suspicious behaviour at an internet cafe. “The suspects were found altering and editing a matric statement of results as well as the certificate issued in 2014. The misrepresentation was aimed at reflecting a university entry qualification,” he reported. Electronic devices, including a computer and a cellphone were confiscated. The suspects made a brief appearance in the Joburg Magistrate's Court on Monday. They were each granted bail of R500. The case was postponed to 7 April for further investigation. Maj-Gen Ebrahim Kadwa, the head of the Hawks in Gauteng, said: “Crimes like these undermine the credibility of our education system and the hard work of countless South Africans. We will not tolerate such deceit.” Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Kabungane Biyela at SowetanLive. Lees ook, Twee vas oor vervalsing van matrieksertifikate, by Maroela Media Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Decisive action being taken against border corruption, Home Affairs Minister announces TimesLIVE reports that speaking at the launch of the Border Management and Immigration Anti-Corruption Forum, Department of Home Affairs (DHA) Minister Leon Schreiber said the Special Investigating Unit, his department, the Border Management Authority, the Hawks and the National Prosecuting Authority were collectively enforcing accountability in the immigration environment. He advised that between July 2024 and February 2025, 27 officials had been dismissed from the DHA for a range of offences that included fraud, corruption and sexual misconduct. Eighteen of the dismissals were announced in November last year and, since then, another nine officials had been dismissed. Schreiber added that once appeals presently ongoing were completed, this number was likely to increase. “Thanks to the work of our partners in law enforcement, eight officials have already been convicted and sentenced to prison terms ranging from four to 18 years, while criminal prosecution of another 19 officials is under way,” he also reported. Schreiber said at the Border Management Agency (BMA) over the same period, 10 officials had been dismissed for corruption, and one for aiding and abetting. Another 45 BMA cases were at various stages in the disciplinary process and could result in further dismissals. National director of public prosecutions Shamila Batohi said at the official launch that the forum was a powerful step in fostering co-operation with various stakeholders, including law enforcement, civil society and members of the public. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ernest Mabuza at TimesLIVE. Lees ook, Nuwe forum teen korrupsie by grense van stapel gestuur, by Maroela Media. And also, Twenty-seven Home Affairs officials dismissed for fraud and corruption since July 2024, at The Citizen Joburg court clerk who ‘had the keys to the safe' charged after R1.1m fine vanishes News24 reports that the Joburg Magistrate's Court became the unlikely venue of a million-rand heist when a "prisoners' friend" appears to have been a bit too friendly with prisoners' fines. Nearly eight years after more than R1 million vanished into thin air, the case against Thoke Edward Mutshinga has finally reached trial proceedings in the Randburg Magistrate's Court. "He took the money for himself, which was due to the state," the charge sheet reads about Mutshinga, employed as a "prisoners' friend" – an administrator responsible for managing bail payments and fines. Mutshinga is accused of pocketing the money that was meant to be paid to the state. "He was the most senior [prisoners' friend]. He had the keys for the safe, the keys as well for the main door that goes into that safe. The area itself was secured, so he used the biometrics to enter the cash hall, so he had full control of the safe keys as well as the cash drawer if and when he worked at the counter," Donald Makhani, who worked as the area court manager at the time, testified. During testimony last Monday, Makhani detailed how Mutshinga's alleged fraud started to unravel in March 2017 when a supervisor wanted to see paperwork in which an accused had been handed a fine of R20,000. A paper trail led straight to Mutshinga's desk. An investigation uncovered discrepancies amounting to millions of rands, with one large undetected fine payment accounting for R1.1 million of missing funds allegedly taken by Mutshinga. The case was postponed to 4 June for the State to call another witness. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Iavan Pijoos at News24 (subscription or trial registration required) City of Tshwane staff implicated in transferring more than R10m into 'ghost account' News24 reports that an employee from the City of Tshwane's Finance Department was suspended on Tuesday after internal investigations found that he and two of his colleagues might have been involved in fraud involving more than R10 million. The three are implicated in alleged unauthorised transactions between May 2021 and January 2022. City of Tshwane spokesperson Selby Bokaba said the City's financial services department recently requested the audit and risk division to conduct a probe after noticing suspicious inter-account transfers between municipal user accounts. This audit uncovered more than 200 transfers of debit balances that were made from various municipal user accounts into a single municipal ghost account, amounting to more than R10 million. Bokaba explained that the employees would erase a user's debit balance – money meant to be paid to the City by a customer – and instead collected a portion or the full amount for themselves. "Two of the employees were arrested by the police and granted bail of R10,000 each by the Pretoria Magistrate's Court a fortnight ago, but one of them could not post bail and is still in custody at Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Services," he indicated. "The third employee, who is in the law enforcement's crosshairs, has been evading arrest through a hospital admission after hearing that police were hot on his heels," Bokaba added. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Noxolo Sibiya at News24 (subscription or trial registration required)
Former Pretoria teacher on trial for sexually grooming boys dies by suicide News24 reports that former Pretoria teacher and principal Martin Kotze, accused of sexually grooming young boys and sending them explicit videos and pictures of himself, has died by suicide. The 41-year-old Kotze apparently killed himself on Monday, just days before he was due back in court. Kotze had been charged with four counts of sexual grooming of children and three counts of exposure or display of pornography to children. He made his first appearance in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court in December 2024 following his arrest and was due back in court on Thursday. According to an affidavit by the investigating officer, the accused communicated on WhatsApp with three minor complainants who were aged 12, 13 and 15. After sending explicit material of himself to the children, who were from the schools he taught at, he would then "dare" them to do the same. Despite opposition from the State, Kotze was granted bail of R10,000 on 31 December 2024, with no bail conditions attached. In a statement, the school, Raslouw Academy, said Kotze had been a relief teacher for two weeks in July 2024 and was never formally employed at the school in Pretoria. While the case before the court was premised on Kotze's alleged interactions with three children, police investigations revealed that there might be more than a dozen more boys who were allegedly groomed and sent explicit material. 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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