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 Friday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South
African labour-related reports.
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Motsoaledi announces 1,650 new healthcare jobs, including 1,200 more doctor posts The Citizen reports that the Department of Health (DOH) has approved the creation of 1,650 new healthcare positions and allocated more than R1.3 billion for hospital equipment purchases, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi announced on Thursday. “We believe we’re in a position to announce today that the council has approved the advertisement of 1,200 jobs for doctors, 200 for nurses and 250 for other healthcare professionals,” said Motsoaledi. The new positions will cost approximately R1.78 billion, with recruitment processes set to begin once logistics are finalised. Notwithstanding reports of approximately 1,800 unemployed doctors in SA, the minister clarified that the actual unemployment figure was even higher. “Unemployment is much higher than what we have mentioned, we are hiring people according to our capacity and affordability. If we had the money to employ every South African, we would,” Motsoaledi stated. He emphasised that healthcare professional shortages were a global challenge. Motsoaledi also addressed multiple legal challenges to the National Health Insurance (NHI) legislation. He said the DOH had submitted answering affidavits in response to cases brought by Solidarity and the Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF), with rulings expected in six months. Additional legal challenges have been filed by the SA Private Practitioners Forum (SAPPF), the Hospital Association of SA (HASA), and the SA Medical Association (SAMA). Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Enkosi Selane at The Citizen. Read too, 1,200 jobs to be advertised for SA's 1,800 unemployed doctors: 'It's what we can afford’, at News24
Family demands ‘an eye for an eye' justice after KZN elite cop gunned down and firearm stolen News24 reports that the grieving family of a KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) police officer who was gunned down during a robbery on Tuesday night says true justice can only be served through retribution and, in this case, "an eye for an eye" is the only way. Sergeant Sanele Dlamini, who was attached to the elite Presidential Protection Service (PPS), was shot and killed in cold blood on Mafukuzela Drive in Inanda, Durban, on Tuesday. Dlamini, 36, had just gone off-duty and was still in uniform when he reportedly parked his vehicle at the roadside before walking to a nearby tuck shop. Moments later, he was accosted by suspects who fired multiple shots at him. The shop is less than 300 metres away from his house. The family said their relative was shot four times, including on his head, back, and underarms. "People who saw what happened said they took his firearm and ran to the gateway vehicle," the family added. KZN police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said police in Inanda were investigating a case of murder. One suspect was arrested at a local clinic after having been injured in the attack. Dlamini's murder comes hot on the heels of another Durban cop being killed and robbed of his firearm in Inanda in February. The off-duty police constable was shot twice in the head while he was standing with his girlfriend on Emachobeni Main Road. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sakhiseni Nxumalo at News24 (subscription or trial registration required) Classroom feud leaves educator stabbed at Hoërskool Die Burger in Bergbron Northcliff Melville Times reports that in a recent altercation, a Grade 8 learner at Hoërskool Die Burger in Bergbron, neighbouring Northcliff, allegedly stabbed a teacher during an altercation in a classroom. The incident on 9 April came just a week after a Grade 12 learner assaulted an educator on the same premises. According to the Gauteng Department of Education, the educator received immediate medical assistance and was swiftly transported to a nearby hospital for further treatment. The current condition of the teacher remains unknown. Authorities acted quickly, apprehending the student involved and informing parents about the incident. A formal police investigation is now underway, and law enforcement and the Department of Education are committed to uncovering what happened. Steve Mabona, spokesperson for the department, emphasised the importance of safety and indicated that the School Governing Body (SGB) would also be conducting its own investigation. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Northcliff Melville Times. Read too, Havens of havoc – the alarming rise of violence in South African schools, at Daily Maverick Questions mount over Emfuleni mayor's 3am activities after bodyguard shot in official vehicle IOL News reports that police are investigating a case of attempted murder after one of the bodyguards of Emfuleni mayor Sipho Radebe was shot and injured in the early hours of 10 January in his council-owned BMW X3. A case of attempted murder was opened at the Evaton police station after the bodyguard, 49, was left with two bullet wounds in his left bicep. According to the incident report, Radebe, his executive assistant, and another VIP protector were in Small Farms in the evening, and in the early hours of the morning. Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said an attempted murder case had been opened for further investigations and there were currently no suspects. DA Gauteng member of the provincial legislature and Emfuleni North constituency head Kingsol Chabalala said it was unacceptable for the mayor to misuse state resources. “We question where was he going or coming from during that time of the night. What is also worrying is the allegations that there was a passenger in the car who is not even in the employ of the municipality,” he said. Chabalala also asked: “Why was the incident not reported by Emfuleni and what is the mayor hiding?” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Loyiso Sidimba at IOL News Gauteng Health Department defends security costs at Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital EWN reports that the Gauteng Health Department (GDoH) has defended security costs at Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital, saying recent media reports have been misleading. According to the department, it has moved from month-to-month contracts to long-term agreements that comply with public finance laws and meet industry standards. It indicated that under the new three-year contracts implemented in April, security services have been strengthened across health facilities, including Charlotte Maxeke, to ensure adequate staffing, armed response and safety infrastructure. According to officials, the costs reflect current market rates and cover not just salaries, but benefits and operational expenses. The GDoH’s spokesperson, Motalatale Modiba, pointed out that this was a necessary investment to protect patients, staff and public health infrastructure. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at EWN. Read too, Security costs at Charlotte Maxeke balloon to R72m a year, says DA, at Politicsweb Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Builders hit with tough new regulations after George building collapse reveals serious safety cracks TimesLIVE reports that Department of Human Settlements (DHS) Minister Thembi Simelane has announced sweeping reforms and tougher regulations for home builders and developers after the collapse last year in George of the Neo Victoria residential building which was under construction. The disaster claimed the lives of 34 people and left many more injured. Briefing media on Wednesday, Simelane said the catastrophe exposed deep-seated failures in regulatory oversight and internal controls in the construction sector and the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC). Her briefing coincided with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s signing of the Housing Consumer Protection Act into law. The Act introduces stricter training, grading and registration requirements for developers and builders, with the goal of improving safety and accountability in the construction industry. Home builders and developers will be required to undergo more stringent training and grading before being registered with the NHBRC. Simelane said the Neo Victoria tragedy highlighted the need for urgent reform. The investigation into the disaster revealed that unqualified people were allowed to play critical roles in the project, including inspections. The report further revealed safety concerns were ignored, a safety consultant resigned and there was no clear framework for addressing occupational health and safety (OHS) violations on site. Simelane stressed that those who did not comply with the new legislation would face serious consequences. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Modiegi Mashamaite at BusinessLive Warnings of structural defects in George building went unheeded, report reveals News24 reports that two days before the collapse of the five-storey building in George that claimed the lives of 34 people, a contractor observed unusual building movements and vibrations on the roof slab. The contractor, Richard Kyle Andrews, also noted cracks around the base of a column on the ground floor that resembled punch-through patterns. And in the basement, he and his boss questioned the supporting columns' narrow dimensions, and the large spaces between them. The absence of critical features, such as slab expansion joints, raised further alarm. But, Andrews told investigators appointed by the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC), that engineering firm Liatel Developments downplayed these concerns. Liatel Developments was the appointed contractor of the Neo Victoria multi-storey apartment block, which was almost complete. The building collapsed in May, three months before it was supposed to have been occupied. Andrews' account is among several other unheeded warnings in a report that details the enrolment and inspection failures that allowed significant structural defects to go unnoticed at 75 Victoria Street. These include intentionally concealed cracks not adequately addressed, contributing to the deadly collapse. Andrews was not the only one who issued early warnings. Another sub-contractor, Joseph Ntethe, warned of cracks starting to appear as early as 2023. In the report, both Andrews and Ntethe submitted detailed affidavits on cascades of failures that ostensibly contributed to the tragedy. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Iavan Pijoos at News24 (subscription or trial registration required) Three NHBRC staff linked to George building collapse referred to SAPS SABC News reports that the Department of Human Settlements (DHS) has referred three of the five suspended employees of the National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) allegedly linked to the George building collapse last year to be probed by the SA Police Service (SAPS). A report has revealed that the collapse of the building, which was under construction, was a result of systematic failures across multiple levels of oversight. These included non-compliance with regulatory standards and mismanagement by both the council and the project’s personnel. The incident claimed the lives of 34 construction workers. DHS Minister Thembi Simelane said the other employees were facing disciplinary measures. “The other two are just facing internal disciplinary measures in terms of not following the systems and the regulations and the outcome of the disciplinary hearing. So, all of them five, they are facing internal disciplinary but others also have been referred to SAPS for criminal investigation on areas which we felt we do not have a mandate as NHBRC by law to deal with them. So, which means others will be facing more charges and others will be facing charges but could be less than the others.” Read the original of the short report in the above regard at SABC News
The wait for SA troops to return home from the DRC continues The Citizen reports that according to the Chairperson of Joint Standing Committee on Defence and Military Veterans, Malusi Gigaba, parliament has not yet seen the final withdrawal plan to bring SA National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers home from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Last month, the SA government announced that it would be withdrawing its troops from eastern DRC following a meeting of the heads of state of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Briefing the media on Thursday, Gigaba said the portfolio committee was monitoring the deployment in the DRC. “As soon as a withdrawal plan has been finalised, the committee will get an update on the process to be followed to withdraw SANDF soldiers from the SADC mission in the DRC. Of critical importance for the committee is how members of the SANDF and our prime mission equipment will be secured and returned to the country. Especially in light of the volatile and unpredictable nature of the area in Goma,” he indicated. The government has been criticised for allegedly sending SA troops to die in a war that SA could have avoided. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Itumeleng Mafisa at The Citizen
Solidarity says BEE policy driving up internet costs, with price being paid for cellphone data A report issued by the Solidarity Research Institute (SRI) on Thursday indicates that SA’s strict enforcement of its black economic empowerment (BEE) policy is driving up the cost of cellphone and internet data. According to the report, restrictive BEE regulations were not only costing South African consumers money, they were also limiting access to technology, growth and competition in the telecommunications sector. Myrtle Endley, the researcher who compiled the report, says that this is clearly illustrated by the situation regarding Elon Musk's Starlink satellite company, which is not trading in SA due to these restrictions. The Starlink satellite company offers affordable internet services, while companies in SA are much more expensive. The crux of the problem is said to lie in SA’s regulatory framework, which includes strict BEE requirements and a 30% black ownership criterion for any player in the telecommunications market. The report warns that it is virtually impossible for international service providers to legally trade locally – while countries such as Botswana, Nigeria and Mozambique are benefiting from affordable, high-speed satellite services. Instead of broadening economic participation in SA, the current policy is said to exclude smaller local businesses and international service providers. The report also shows that no new telecommunications licenses have been issued for more than ten years. New entrants are therefore often forced to acquire second-hand licenses at high cost – a further obstacle to growth. The consequences of this are little competition, higher prices and inadequate internet coverage. Read the Solidarity Research Institute’s press statement at Politicsweb. Read the full report in Afrikaans here
Education Labour Relations Council fired 39 teachers for sexual misconduct in past year News24 reports that over the financial year ended March 2025, the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) booted out a total of 39 teachers after finding them guilty of sexual misconduct. A KwaZulu-Natal teacher who kissed a pupil on the mouth and "took her hand and touched his penis" became the fortieth teacher to be fired after his dismissal on Tuesday. A total of 111 sexual misconduct cases were referred to the ELRC between April 2024 and March 2025, compared to 82 from April 2023 to March 2024. The ELRC did not indicate the factors behind the increase. Basil Manuel of the National Professional Teachers' Organisation of SA (Naptosa) said: "Let's not characterise these people as teachers ... the system will unfortunately always have people who slip through the cracks." ELRC general secretary Cindy Foca reported that the names of the 39 teachers had been were submitted to the Department of Social Development for inclusion in the Child Protection Register. She said training programmes had to be developed to ensure that pupils were well-informed of their rights and that teachers were continuously reminded of the sanctions that would be imposed if they violated these rights. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Prega Govender at News24 (subscription or trial registration required) Pearl Modiadie’s long-drawn out R3.5 million sexual harassment lawsuit against SABC at crucial stage City Press reports that TV and radio personality Pearl Modiadie’s sexual harassment lawsuit against the SA Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) and former Metro FM manager Anthony Soglo may soon conclude, with final arguments expected in the Johannesburg High Court on 14 April. The case, which has been in court for nearly four years, arises from Modiadie’s claim that Soglo sent her an email with inappropriate sexual remarks in November 2019. Modiadie is suing the public broadcaster for R3.5 million, claiming that Soglo’s conduct caused her emotional and psychological harm. According to Modiadie’s papers, Soglo wrote an email on 28 November 2019, which seemingly insinuated that she was a sexual object. The 34-year-old claimed in her papers that the email violated her rights and portrayed her in a negative light to her colleagues. However, the SABC’s counterargument cites that the lawsuit does not belong in a court of law but rather with the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration. Soglo wrote in an affidavit before the court that after the allegations surfaced, he received a letter from the SABC informing him that the public broadcaster was no longer willing to employ him. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mduduzi Nonyane at City Press (subscription or trial registration required)
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