In our Thursday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South
African labour-related reports.
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These are the sectoral employment equity targets designated employers must achieve in next five years BusinessTech reports that the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) has unveiled the new employment equity targets that will apply to 18 business sectors. The targets form part of two sets of regulations in terms of the Employment Equity Amendment Act that were gazetted on Tuesday. The regulations set out specific racial and gender-based percentage targets that businesses across 18 industries must achieve in four upper occupational levels over the next five years. The targets for each of the 18 sectors are reflected in the BusinessTech article. According to the DEL, the targets have been implemented to ensure that there is “equitable representation of suitably qualified people from designated groups at all occupational levels in the workforce”. Notably, the targets only apply to ‘designated employers’, which are those who employ more than 50 people. Those employers are expected to set these targets as part of their Employment Equity plans and reports. The department noted that the five-year targets were not intended to add up to 100% as they excluded white males with no disabilities and foreign nationals in the workforce profile. Designated groups refers to black people (African, coloured and Indian), women and people with disabilities. Failure to comply with the regulations could see companies being referred to the Labour Court and facing fines. However, the department noted that designated employers will not incur penalties or any form of disadvantage if they show that there are reasonable grounds for not complying with the targets. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at BusinessTech Employment equity targets published for 18 economic sectors face legal challenge BL Premium reports that two business organisations, namely Sakeliga and the National Employers Association of SA (Neasa), have vowed to fight employment equity targets published by Department of Employment & Labour (DEL) Minister Nomakhosazana Meth on Tuesday. They say the “racial quota” regulations are “unconstitutional, unlawful and harmful”. Sakeliga and Neasa agreed at a special meeting on Wednesday to launch immediate joint legal action, including seeking an interdict against the operation of the regulations, targets and/or the act. Meth published the five-year employment equity targets that 18 economic sectors must achieve over the next five years. They set the percentages within four upper occupational levels – top management, senior management, professionally qualified or middle management and skilled technical or junior management – that must be occupied by designated groups, namely historically disadvantaged groups of people based on race, gender and disability. Sakeliga and Neasa said in a statement that “the sectoral targets constitute strict hiring quotas, based on race and other demographic ratios, which the state seeks to enforce under penalty of 10% of turnover”. They went on to state: “The state is requiring the impossible, because it demands employment practices contrary to the reality of vast variations in skills, kinship, language, culture, geography and just about everything else that has characterised employment throughout history.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Linda Ensor at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
Minister confirms person shot dead at WSU, allegedly by residence manager, was a student News24 reports that Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane confirmed on Wednesday that the person shot dead at the Mthatha campus of the Walter Sisulu University (WSU) on Tuesday was a student at the university. This contradicted earlier reports by the institution. Sisonke Mbolekwa died after having been shot, allegedly by the university's residence manager. This was after a group of students cornered the residence manager at his on-campus house to demand answers to a list of grievances they had earlier submitted about the living conditions at their residences. The confrontation allegedly led to the residence manager pulling out his firearm, shooting dead Mbolekwa and injuring another two students. The students also allegedly set alight the residence manager's vehicle and injured his wife. According to the deceased's Matatiele family, 24-year-old Mbolekwa registered for a Bachelor of Education at the university in 2023. He was set to do his final year of studies this year after paying a R5,000 registration fee on 12 March. On Tuesday, the university denied that Mbolekwa was a registered student at the institution. Nkabane visited the university on Wednesday afternoon for an engagement with senior management over the incident. The situation was calm at the campus on Wednesday, although classes remained suspended. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sithandiwe Velaphi at News24 (subscription or trial registration required). Read too, Minister to review safety protocols at universities, at Daily Dispatch (subscriber access only) WSU SRC calls for suspension of residence manager SABC News reports that the Walter Sisulu University (WSU) Student Representative Council (SRC) has called for the residence manager who allegedly fatally shot a person to be suspended. The incident happened in the early hours of Tuesday during a protest at the Nelson Mandela Drive Campus in Mthatha, Eastern Cape. SRC President Balungile Madikizela said while investigations were underway, the residence manager should be removedl. Students held a candlelight vigil on Tuesday night in honour of the dead person and injured students. They are adamant that the deceased is a student, a claim that contradicts the university’s statement that the individual was not a registered student. The students’ concerns included a lack of residence accommodation. Police spokesperson Nobuntu Gantana indicated: “Police are still conducting a preliminary investigation to determine the circumstances that led to the shooting. So it would mean that at this stage no arrests have been made and no one has been charged. We are still trying to investigate to ascertain what actually transpired and what led to the shooting.” Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Nomzwanele Mngoma at SABC News
NMB Metro official seeks protection order against boss over ‘threats’ The Herald reports that a Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) municipal official’s application for a protection order against his boss, acting executive director of electricity and energy Tholi Biyela, who allegedly threatened that “blood would be spilt” during a meeting, was postponed in the Gqeberha Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. The matter was postponed to 12 May after Biyela arrived with legal representation, while municipal engineer Humphrey Mthimkhulu did not have representation. Read the full report in the above regard by Andisa Bonani at The Herlad (subscriber access only) Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Untu wage strike at Transnet could bring logistics sector to its knees The Citizen reports that the United National Transport Union (Untu) is threatening state-owned logistics company Transnet with a wage strike that could cause significant disruptions in the sector. Untu has begun balloting more than 26,000 members to consider embarking on a strike due to the failure to reach a wage increase agreement with Transnet. However, the entity remains hopeful that an agreement will be reached. If the strike happens, it could bring the sector to its knees, costing Transnet billions in rail operations. Untu said its members have shown readiness to mobilise to demand an increase that reflected the economic crisis the working class faced. The union is demanding a 10% wage increase and housing and medical subsidies, while Transnet has put on the table a final offer of 6% this year, 6% next year, and 5% in 2027. Untu has labelled Transnet as a ‘bully’ for trying to scare its members into accepting the same wage agreement accepted by the SA Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu), which represents a smaller number of employees. According to Untu, Transnet informed its members that they would not be eligible for backpay when Untu signed an agreement. “Transnet is well aware that the issues of backpay in any wage agreement is part of the discussions to prevent looming industrial action, or end protected industrial action once it has commenced,” the union pointed out. Transnet said it welcomed Untu’s decision to ballot its members, as this would truly reflect employees’ wishes. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tshehla Cornelius Koteli at The Citizen. Read too, Concerns rise over potential Transnet strike amid wage dispute, at Business Report Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Audi SA looks set to shrink its dealer network TimesLIVE reports that Audi looks set to join other premium car brands in shutting some dealerships in SA due to the segment’s declining sales. In a press release on Wednesday, Audi SA said it had started to implement an “optimised footprint strategy that balances meaningful customer experiences with operational efficiency”. This was to reinforce its retail presence and ensure long-term partner viability in the wake of significant pressure faced by the premium automotive sector in recent years There has been a marked buying-down trend driven by high inflation, rising interest rates and exchange rate weakness. The release didn’t say whether this meant Audi was reducing its dealer footprint but seemed to strongly suggest it. Audi SA said it had no further comment. It stated Audi Centre Sandton would move to an unnamed new location in June and serve as Audi’s new flagship. The premium vehicle sector has contracted to nearly a third of its size compared with a decade ago, with 2024 marking the lowest level yet. Other premium brands have reduced their dealer footprints, with BusinessTech reporting that BMW shrunk from 55 sites in 2015 to 46 at the end of 2024. Swedish brand Volvo recently announced it was reducing its SA dealer network from 19 to seven facilities. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Denis Droppa at TimesLIVE
SAPS has lost over 10,000 detectives in just under a decade EWN reports that in just under a decade, the SA Police Service (SAPS) has lost more than 10,000 detectives who have left the force for the private sector or resigned. The current number of detectives within the SAPS stands at just over 16,000, down from about 27,000 some nine years ago. Deputy National Police Commissioner responsible for crime detection in the country, Shadrack Sibiya, indicated that the majority of the detectives had been lost to the private sector and that detectives within the SAPS were having to handle a heavy caseload when it came to dockets. “Any other person who wants to employ detectives, they can only come and draw from the pool from the police. So we are the feeder for everybody,” he lamented. Sibiya said they have had to adjust how they investigated cases amid the dwindling numbers. “When I was with the Scorpions, I did what we call 'lean thinking'. How to be able to achieve more with less. The fact that you need 100 boots on the ground, whereas in fact that with 30, you can actually achieve the results,” he commented. Sibiya added that middle management within the detective system was an area of focus. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Orrin Singh at EWN Other internet posting(s) in this news category
SACPCMP deregisters 1,983 construction members for professional development non-compliance Engineering News reports that the SA Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP) has deregistered 1,983 of its 14,000 members for continuing professional development (CPD) non-compliance. As of 31 March, those former members were no longer be allowed to legally practice in the built environment sector within any professional designation under the jurisdiction of the SACPCMP. The regulator said that despite multiple remedial and exemption programmes that were presented over almost five years, it had now been forced to deregister non-compliant registered persons. “As a regulatory authority, it is our mandate to ensure that the construction industry is sufficiently supported by professionals who are competent, skilled and experienced and in good standing with the statutory requirements of the law,” said SACPCMP registrar Butcher Matutle. Under the Project and Construction Management Professions Act, registered persons are required to maintain their competence annually by undertaking CPD to ensure that the construction industry is managed by professionals who are equipped with relevant and up-to-date knowledge. This was vital to maintaining a safe built environment, Matutle pointed out. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Engineering News
With staff retention a challenge, Old Mutual hikes minimum monthly pay to R16,000 BL Premium reports that Old Mutual has increased its minimum pay to R16,000 a month to attract and retain talented staff. The insurer said skills retention in the sector had become a challenge. In its 2024 annual report published on Tuesday, the financial services group said a key feature of its responsible business strategy “entails our fair and responsible pay commitment.” Reinforcing its core remuneration principles of supporting competitive pay and enabling a dignified life for employees, “we have now elected to increase the minimum to R192,000 per annum for full-time, non-commission earning individuals in SA from April 1 2025.” The minimum pay applies to all permanent employees, excluding those on a commission-based remuneration structure. Old Mutual said its total guaranteed pay was market-related, informed by robust and regular remuneration benchmarking in each operating market. “It is targeted at the market median, unless there is a specific market imperative based on skills scarcity or criticality to offer guaranteed remuneration at a higher relative level,” it added. The group has also put in place an inclusive parental leave policy whereby primary caregivers are eligible for four months’ fully paid leave, while secondary caregivers are eligible for one month of paid leave. In the case of miscarriage, bereavement leave throughout the pregnancy has been extended for the birthing parent. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Kabelo Khumalo at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
State pays R31 million for six suspended magistrates News24 reports that chairperson of the Magistrates Commission's ethics committee, advocate Naome Manaka, told the Select Committee on Security and Justice on Wednesday that the state has paid R31 million to six suspended magistrates, "who are essentially at home". MPs voiced their concerns about the amount of money paid to suspended magistrates. One magistrate raked in R8.1 million since his suspension in September 2018, and another has earned just over R8 million since her July 2020 suspension. According to the commission's presentation to the committee, disciplinary processes against each of the jurists have commenced, "unlike in the past when some were just in suspension". Among the cases is that of Desmond Nair, former chief magistrate of Pretoria, who has been paid R5,553,722 since his suspension in February 2020. He allegedly received security upgrades to his home from state capture-linked Bosasa, and the commission acted against him after testimony before the Zondo Commission. He is also standing trial in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crime Court on corruption charges. Another case is that of Eric Nzimande, former regional court president of KwaZulu-Natal, who has been paid R8,133,126 since his suspension in September 2018. He is accused of accepting bribes from attorneys to recommend that they be appointed as acting magistrates in his court. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jan Gerber at News24 (subscription or trial registration required) Seven officials from Mangaung prison suspended after murder of inmate EWN reports seven prison officials at the privately run G4S Mangaung Correctional Centre in the Free State have been suspended following the murder of an inmate. Mpho Mkhumbeni died following an unauthorised raid of his prison cell where he was pepper-sprayed and beaten. On the following day, 12 March, he collapsed and was rushed to the prison clinic, where he was declared dead. It is alleged that a member of the dedicated search team accused Mkhmbeni and his cellmates of stealing R800 from his bag, which he had forgotten in the cell following the raid. In a briefing on Wednesday, the correctional services head, Samuel Thobagale, confirmed that a case of murder was being investigated. Mkhumbeni’s family say they will not rest until someone is held accountable for his murder. Mkhmbeni was serving a life jail sentence for murder. Thobakgale confirmed that Mkhumbeni died of complications caused by pepper spray and blunt force trauma to his head. The prison gained a notorious reputation following the escape of Facebook rapist Thabo Bester in 2022. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Orrin Singh at EWN
Denosa demands that justice must prevail in case of healthcare workers implicated in organ harvesting SABC News reports that the Democratic Nursing Organisation of SA (Denosa) has called on the authorities to ensure that justice is served in the case of two doctors and six nurses accused of attempted murder, fraud, and selling human organs. They allegedly harvested organs from unsuspecting patients during surgeries for profit. The accused appeared in the High Court in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape on Tuesday. Denosa provincial chairperson Vuyolwethu Nodlawu said the health system needed to be restored and went on to say: “The NPA (National Prosecuting Authority) and the justice system throughout have to attend to this case, we want to see justice prevail. We want to restore people to the healthcare system. So, we call upon the government and the justice system to dig deeper and strengthen our health system, including the legislation fragment because you’ll find that those that have been brought to book, many tend to run away. So that is what we are advocating for while we are looking into the matter, and we are going to follow it precisely.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard at SABC News
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