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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Presidential Youth Employment Initiative delivered over 76,000 job opportunities in Q4 — but it’s a drop in the ocean Daily Maverick reports that according to the deputy minister in the Presidency, Nonceba Mhlauli, the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI) continues to deliver meaningful change in the lives of SA’s young people. On Monday, Mhlauli highlighted the initiative’s progress during the fourth quarter (Q4) of the 2024/2025 financial year. During Q4 alone, 76,569 job opportunities were accessed by young people, including 60,444 through SAYouth.Mobi and 16,125 via the Employment Services of SA. Additional employment highlights included 15,137 private sector placements via the Youth Employment Service; 5,504 TVET graduates placed through the Department of Higher Education and Training; more than 43,000 young entrepreneurs supported by the National Youth Development Agency and the Department of Small Business Development; and 2,048 young people recruited under Phase 3 of the Revitalised National Youth Service. The innovative Jobs Boost Outcomes Fund also saw progress, with more than 5,400 young people enrolled and more than 3,000 placed into quality, sustainable jobs. Yet, three weeks ago, Stats SA’s Q1 Labour Force Survey for 2025 revealed that the economy had shed 300,000 jobs and youth unemployment had increased to 46.1%. So while the 76,000 job opportunities may alleviate the joblessness crisis for a small number of South Africans, it’s not enough to address the crisis. “The numbers are not as great as we want them to be, but we are seeing that we are making a difference,” said Mhlauli. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lerato Mutsila at Daily Maverick. See too, More than 76,000 South Africans received job opportunities in state-sponsored programmes, says Mhlauli, at EWN President Cyril Ramaphosa's Basic Education Employment Initiative empowers 200,000 young people IOL News reports that President Cyril Ramaphosa has lauded the return of the Basic Education Employment Initiative (BEEI), describing it as a vital pathway to work experience and skills development for SA’s youth. In his weekly letter to the nation, Ramaphosa highlighted that around 200,000 young people were starting jobs at over 20,000 schools across the country. “Today marks the ‘first day at school’ for about 200,000 young people; they are not arriving at school as learners, but as working adults,” he noted. This marks the fifth phase of the BEEI, South Africa’s largest youth employment programme, now funded by the UIF Labour Activation Programme and national government. The initiative, a key component of the Presidential Employment Stimulus launched in 2020, has returned after a year’s pause. The programme provides participants with essential work skills, including time management, teamwork, IT, administration, and problem-solving. Participants take on roles aligned with school priorities, from curriculum assistants helping teachers in the classroom to reading champions, lab assistants, IT support, and those maintaining school infrastructure or leading extracurricular activities. Ramaphosa also emphasised the need to support youth entrepreneurship: “We need to find new ways to support those who want to create their own jobs, to connect them to finance, training, markets and networks.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Hope Ntanzi, at IOL News. Read too, 200 000 young people go ‘back to school’ for Presidential Employment Stimulus, at News24 (subscription / trial registration required). And also, Ramaphosa urges employers to give BEEI youths their ‘next opportunity’, at The Citizen
Death threat that ‘One bullet is waiting for you’ left on Mbenenge accuser’s desk at court News24 reports that Andiswa Mengo, the judges’ secretary who lodged a claim of sexual harassment against Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge, has received a chilling handwritten death threat on her desk at the Eastern Cape High Court in Makhanda. Mengo’s employer, the Office of the Chief Justice, confirmed the threat and said it would temporarily move her to another court precinct while police investigated. On one side of the note, which Mengo found when she and a colleague arrived at work on 30 May, were the words: “Remember, one bullet is waiting for you.” On the other side was an even more direct warning, that if Mengo did not withdraw the case against Mbenenge within one week of Friday, she would not see her child again. The person who made the threats also wrote: “Come season three, you will be destroyed,” - an apparent reference to the fact that a third round of evidence would be presented later this month at the Judicial Conduct Tribunal, which is considering whether Mbenenge sexually harassed Mengo in early 2022. Sources who have knowledge of the Eastern Cape High Court in Makhanda said the security cameras were not working, so it would not be possible to see who entered the office. This was not the first time that Mengo has received a death threat. In 2023, shortly after she submitted the formal complaint which led to the establishment of the tribunal, Mengo was spirited out of the province for her safety after she received an anonymous death threat via cellphone. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ray Hartle at News24 (subscription / trial registration required) Cops hunt for suspects who undressed, robbed, killed off-duty officer in Calcutta, Mpumalanga on Friday News24 reports that Mpumalanga police have launched a manhunt after an off-duty police officer was partially undressed, robbed and shot multiple times in Calcutta, Mpumalanga. Constable Khulani Chabangu, 29, was stationed in the Visible Policing Unit in Volksrust. He was visiting a barbershop when the incident occurred at 23:00 on Friday. Mpumalanga police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane said Chabangu arrived at the barbershop in his vehicle. While inside the barbershop, two unknown armed suspects stormed in. They ordered everyone to lie down and robbed them of their cellphones. Chabangu was ordered to undress and the suspects took his clothes and car keys. Chabangu followed the suspects outside, where he was shot multiple times. The suspects then fled the scene in the victim’s vehicle. It is believed Chabangu was ambushed and fatally shot while visiting the area. Police investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident are ongoing. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ntwaagae Seleka at News24 (subscription / trial registration required). Lees ook, Polisiebeampte by barbier oorval, doodgeskiet, by Maroela Media Public Works probe into deadly George building collapse completed, findings yet to be shared News24 reports that a report into the collapse more than a year ago of a five-storey building under construction in George has landed on the desk of Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson. His department commissioned the report, which was compiled by the Council for the Built Environment (CBE), as part of a number of probes into the collapse which left 34 dead. Twenty-eight people were pulled from the rubble alive, but many have been left with severe injuries. Macpherson said the report marked a critical step in his department’s commitment “to uncover the truth behind this preventable disaster” and ensure that those responsible were held to account. “As the Department, we will now carefully study the report to develop a pathway forward to ensure that a tragedy such as the George building collapse never happens again. As I have previously committed, after studying the report, I will personally return to George to present the findings of this report to the families affected by this tragedy,” he indicated. Macpherson added that the collapse resulted from “systemic failures across various regulatory bodies and a lack of cooperation among key stakeholders”. He said his department would continue to work with the police, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), and other relevant regulatory bodies to ensure accountability. The report is among several commissioned by various organisations into the collapse. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nicole McCain at News24 (subscription / trial registration required). Read too, Councillor resigns over 'lack of transparency' on George building collapse, at Cape Times Paramedics protest in Mfuleni following attacks GroundUp reports that a group of paramedics marched through the streets of Mfuleni on Saturday to protest against attacks on them. In March, two female Emergency Medical Services (EMS) workers were reportedly robbed at gunpoint and beaten while responding to an emergency in Extension 4. Paramedic Athenkosi Sobanda indicated: “The aim for this peaceful demonstration is to raise awareness in the community of Mfuleni about these attacks and also to stand in solidarity with our colleagues.” He said his colleagues were still traumatised despite receiving counselling. Sobanda advised that waiting for police escorts could take hours and could put the life of the person in need of medical attention at risk. He expressed the hope that by building a relationship with the community, paramedics would not have to wait for an escort. The EMS staff were joined by the Mfuleni community policing forum (CPF), the neighbourhood watch, and community members. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Phumeza Halonisi at GroundUp Other internet posting(s) in this news category
North West police detain 22 illegal foreigners found packing large amounts of food for illegal miners SABC News reports that twenty-two foreign nationals who appeared before the Ventersdorp Magistrate’s Court in the North West have been remanded in custody awaiting legal representation. The suspects were arrested on Friday, after police monitored activities taking place at a farm situated between Klerksdorp and Ventersdorp. The accused were allegedly found packing and wrapping a large amount of different food items, seemingly destined for distribution to illegal miners at various shafts in and around Vaal Reefs near Orkney. Twenty-one of the suspects are from Lesotho, while one is from Malawi. They are facing charges of the contravention of the Immigration Act, and possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition. The accused will re-appear in court on Thursday for formal bail applications. Read the original of the short report in the above regard at SABC News
National security alarm bells ring over SA Air Force flight engineers shortage IOL News reports that a brewing crisis within the SA Air Force (SAAF) is putting national security at risk, with a shortage of Flight Engineers (FEs) hamering the operational capacity of the SA National Defense Force’s (SANDF’s) most vital aircraft. At the heart of this issue is the iconic Oryx AS32 helicopter – a medium utility helicopter that has become the backbone of the SANDF’s aerial capabilities. Notably, this aircraft is used for critical missions, including troop transport, logistical support, and even presidential flights. The problem stems from recent industrial action by FEs nationwide. Fewer than five FEs are willing to fly, with others having downed tools over allowances they claim are grossly insufficient and misclassified. “They’re considered technicians now, not flight crew, and their allowances have been cut,” explained a senior officer. This industrial action is having cascading effects as pilots cannot maintain currency without FEs, and aspiring helicopter pilots cannot complete their training due to the lack of experienced FEs. “We have a backlog of student pilots waiting for years to start their flying hours. This situation could leave us with a generation of not current or qualified pilots - a ticking time bomb for operational readiness,” a source indicated. Many FEs are reportedly resigning, lured by higher salaries overseas. SANDF spokesperson Prince Tshabalala acknowledged the seriousness of the issue: Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Thabo Makwakwa at IOL News Patients suffer in pain at Bophelong hospital in North West amid staff shortages and surgery delays TimesLIVE Premium reports that a Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor has raised the alarm about a deepening healthcare crisis at Bophelong Provincial Hospital in the North West, where patients are reportedly being left untreated for weeks due to severe staff shortages and systemic dysfunction. Kagiso Mangwejane, a councillor in the Tswaing Local Municipality, was admitted to the hospital over a month ago with a fractured femur. Despite multiple scheduled surgeries, his operation has been postponed six times due to unavailability of theatre nurses. According to Mangwejane, his experience was not isolated and numerous other patients have faced similar delays. Some have been discharged without being treated and instructed to wait for a call when operating theatre space became available. “What’s happening here is more than just poor planning – it’s institutional neglect. The system is broken. There are chronic staff shortages, internal mismanagement and a complete lack of accountability,” Mangwejane said. He has since written urgent appeals to Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi and DA North West provincial chairperson Freddy Sonakile. In letters dated 23 May, he appealed for a full audit of staff availability and surgical operations at the hospital. The North West Department of Health acknowledged that there was a shortage of nursing staff in the operating theatres. It indicated that it was finalising the process to recruit nurses to stabilise the operating theatres by the end of June. To deal with the backlog, the department said it would increase theatre time and the number of operating theatres over weekends. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Shonisani Tshikalange at TimesLIVE Premium (subscriber access only) SITA seeks ‘visionary’ executive head amid mounting problems ITWeb reports that the State Information Technology Agency (SITA) is searching for its next managing director (MD) to fill the revolving chief executive seat for a five-year fixed-term employment contract. This comes as the beleaguered entity faces delivery and capacity challenges, with some client state departments looking for alternatives. SITA is an entity of the communications ministry that is charged with provisioning and procuring ICT goods and services on behalf of government departments and public entities. The new MD will inherit a Special Investigating Unit probe initiated by President Cyril Ramaphosa to investigate claims of procurement irregularities in government. This is in addition to scrutiny by the Public Service Commission and Public Protector of governance issues at the IT agency. In this context, SITA’s job advert indicates: “The State Information Technology Agency is seeking a visionary MD to lead our organisation into its next phase of innovation and service delivery excellence. This role is critical in positioning SITA as a leading government ICT partner, building a customer-focused organisation that supports long-term objectives, operational success and national development priorities.” The position is open at its head office in Erasmuskloof, Pretoria, with a remuneration package of between R2,783,486 and R4,175,230. Over the years, SITA has had less than three executive heads stay the duration of their employment term, with many leaving within three months, to a little over a year. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Simnikiwe Mzekandaba at ITWeb
President asks Constitutional Court to overturn NHI judgment that ‘infringed on his executive power’ The Star reports that President Cyril Ramaphosa has appealed to the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) in a bid to overturn a recent North Gauteng High Court ruling that challenged the legality of his decision to sign the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill into law. The controversial bill, signed by Ramaphosa in May 2024, is a cornerstone of the government’s proposed overhaul of SA’s healthcare system. However, the High Court ruled that Ramaphosa’s assent to the bill could be subject to judicial review – a finding that raised constitutional and procedural concerns. The court also ordered the president to provide a full record of all documentation and deliberations that informed his decision to approve the legislation. In his ConCourt application, the President contends that the lower court overstepped its bounds, arguing that it infringed on the constitutional doctrine of separation of powers. According to court papers filed by Ramaphosa, the High Court ruling “undermines the functioning of the executive” and grants the judiciary undue influence over matters that, by design, fall within the President’s discretion. He maintains that while all actions of public office bear scrutiny, the power to sign legislation into law lies squarely with the executive and must be exercised without judicial interference unless a direct constitutional violation is evident. If the ConCourt agrees to hear the matter, its judgment will have significant consequences not only for the future of the NHI but also for the balance of power between branches of government. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sifiso Mahlangu at The Star. Lees ook, Ramaphosa hoogste hof toe oor NGV, by Maroela Media
Married couple, who were both top KZN police officers, fired over R330,000 tender corruption City Press reports that two high-ranking police officers, a married couple in KwaZulu-Natal, were fired after being found guilty of corruption and defeating the ends of justice in connection with a R330,000 tender. Colonel Ivan Pillay, provincial head of procurement, and his wife, Captain Soni Pillay, who headed procurement at Chatsworth police station, rigged tender processes to benefit their preferred contractor. The meddling of the couple in the tender to erect a barbed wire fence at the Chatsworth station resulted in the sidelining of a contractor who quoted R249,000 in favour of a supplier who charged R330,000. It was discovered that the couple removed the quotation of the contractor who had quoted the lower amount from the system and instructed junior staff members to deny ever receiving the tender document. The Pillays were charged in February this year and bruoght before a disciplinary hearing that commenced in March. They were found guilty on 30 April and dismissed on 9 May. The provincial SAPS human resources department confirmed the couple’s dismissal and noted that their salaries and benefits had been terminated from 19 May. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sipho Mabena at City Press (subscription / trial registration required)
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu confirms less than 1% SAPS staff screened for sexual offences Sunday World reports that according to Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, just 0.14% of SA Police Service (SAPS) personnel have had their records checked against the National Register for Sex Offenders (NRSO). This was revealed in a written response to a parliamentary question by Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster of Build One SA (Bosa), who requested the total number of SAPS employees, including officers and administrative staff, who had undergone NRSO screening. Mchunu advised that a total of 245 persons, including officers and administrative staff, had undergone screening. The response omitted information about the screening results and the reasons why so few employees had been screened against NRSO. According to Bosa spokesperson Roger Solomons, the number of screened individuals indicated that less than one out of every 700 SAPS employees has had their sexual crime history checked. “South Africans cannot be expected to trust law enforcement to protect them from sexual violence when SAPS has failed to even vet its officers,” he pointed out. Solomons also expressed concern about the discovery that, during the previous five fiscal years, 2,108 SAPS officers had been fired for misconduct. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Boitumelo Kgobotlo at Sunday World
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