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 roundup of weekend and recent reports,
see the following summaries of our selection of
South African labour-related articles.
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Goodyear factory in Kariega faces closure, with 907 jobs at risk Daily Maverick reports that the jobs of over 900 workers are at risk and thousands of jobs from secondary industries are being threatened as Goodyear announced last week that it was closing its factory in Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB). The factory, in Kariega (formerly Uitenhage), was opened in 1947 and is the company’s only factory in SA. The move is expected to result in the loss of at least 907 factory jobs, with a number of sales, administrative, and management roles also in jeopardy. There are fears are that this will have a larger secondary impact as other industries, such as catering, security and corporate social investment projects will be affected by the decision. Goodyear SA will continue to maintain a sales and distribution, and Hi-Q retail presence in SA. The company said the restructuring was in line with its strategy to “optimise” its footprint and portfolio in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region. The move has been slammed by organisations such as the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa), which commented: “We are deeply worried about the impact on workers and their families, in Uitenhage (Kariega). It is becoming a ghost town given that ContiTech, which is part of Continental, closed down and it is also in the same tyre and rubber industry.” CEO of NMB Business Chamber Denise van Huyssteen said they would assist workers through their job loss mitigation initiative. The initiative connects companies seeking artisans with those whose jobs had been made redundant. Nduduzo Chala of the SA Tyre Manufacturers Conference said that trading conditions for local tyre manufacturers had been very difficult over the past few years. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Estelle Ellis at Daily Maverick. Read too, Another blow to Eastern Cape job market as Goodyear signals plan to shut Kariega factory, at IOL Business Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Eastern Cape police officer in Ngqamakhwe gunned down near police station on Saturday EWN reports that Eastern Cape Transport and Community Safety MEC Xolile Nqatha has condemned the murder of a police officer in Ngqamakhwe on Saturday afternoon. Apparently, the officer was ambushed and gunned down near a police station. After the suspect fled the scene, he allegedly went on a hijacking spree and stole five cars during his escape. The suspect was later traced to eNgcobo in the province where he was killed by police during a shootout. "The provincial government is deeply saddened by the tragic shooting of the police officer in Ngqamakwe, and MEC Nqatha would like to express his deepest sympathy to the grieving family, of the slain police officer," said departmental spokesperson Makhaya Komisa. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Thandoluhle Ngcobo at EWN. Lees ook, Polisieman op pad werk toe doodgeskiet, by Maroela Media On-duty Mpumalanga cop shot dead at tuckshop in Pienaar on Friday Daily Sun reports that Mpumalanga police have launched a manhunt for suspects following the fatal shooting of an on-duty police officer in Phakane, Pienaar, on Friday. A police spokeswoman, Lieutenant-Colonel Jabu Ndubane, said officers were alerted about a shooting incident. Upon arrival at the scene, they found a member inside his private vehicle in uniform. The officer was rushed to the hospital, but he was declared dead on arrival. Ndubane said Constable Donald Mathebula (34) had stopped at a tuckshop when three suspects armed with firearms and wearing balaclavas approached and shot him. "The member drove his vehicle in an attempt to flee, he was shot. The vehicle lost control, hit a tree and wall, as a result, the vehicle came to a standstill, and nothing was taken. The vehicle had bullet holes on the rear side and right side of the window, and the three suspects fled the scene," Ndubane reported. The motive of the attack is not yet known. Mathebula was stationed at Pienaar SAPS in the Visible Policing Unit and had been working for the SA Police Service for the past 10 years. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Happy Mnguni at Daily Sun. Lees ook, Polisieman tydens rooftog doodgeskiet, by Maroela Media Other internet posting(s) in this news category
MQA and INSETA sign MoU with RMA to advance skills development Engineering News reports that Rand Mutual Assurance (RMA) has concluded a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA) and the Insurance Sector Education and Training Authority (INSETA) to establish a strategic partnership that will enable the parties to collaborate on identified projects. This collaboration will enable the MQA and INSETA to fulfil their statutory mandates and obligations by delivering services to their constituencies while also enabling the RMA to expand its social insurance mandate and programmes in line with its strategic objectives. The parties will explore vital areas of collaboration, with the MQA and the INSETA prepared to lead the advancement of skills development in support of the work carried out by the RMA. MQA CEO Dr Thabo Mashongoane welcomed the opportunity to work with the two entities, and indicated that this partnership would greatly assist in supporting the RMA’s efforts to rehabilitate mineworkers, create a sustainable livelihood for them and expand the mining and minerals sector. Through this collaboration, mine employees soon to be retrenched and former mineworkers, including people with disabilities and unemployed youth, will acquire reskilling opportunities in various areas that will allow them to secure employment. Research studies will be conducted to determine the areas of lack and identify possible skills opportunities in line with the disability perspective, social labour plans, economic reconstruction and recovery plan, as well as other industry-specific imperatives. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Engineering News Other general posting(s) relating to mining
Withdrawal of SANDF troops from DRC is a work in progress, says Motshekga EWN reports that Defence and Military Veterans Minister Angie Motshekga says the process to withdraw the Southern African Development Community (SADC) mission in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is a work in progress. SA National Defence Force (SANDF) members are part of that mission. According to Motshekga, despite the delay in the operation, significant work was still being done and cooperation between SA and member states was still going well. The minister emphasised that the ostensible tensions between SA and Rwanda were being managed. “We are working through the AU, working through the UN, we are working through SADC. So really, it’s not so much of the South African issue, it’s a regional, it’s a continental but it’s also an international matter. And that’s why I think the movement is, except for the difficult driving terrain, everything else up to now in terms of safety, in terms of relations is going well,” Motshekga claimed. Read the original of the short report in the above regard at SABC News Army gets memorial plaques for soldiers who died during foreign missions wrong City Press reports that the military has found itself in an embarrassing situation after making several errors on the newly unveiled memorial plaques for soldiers who died during foreign missions. The memorial plaques incorrectly state that some troops died during a deployment to Mozambique, while, in fact, they were stationed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Angie Motshekga, the minister of defence, along with several top generals, unveiled the plaques last Friday at De Brug in Bloemfontein during the United Nations’ International Day of the Peacekeeper. The troops in the DRC were the first to notice the errors because, starved of news from SA, they closely follow the military’s press coverage. The military admitted when questioned that it was aware of the blunders and said it was an “honest mistake” by the “supplier”. The military is now scrambling to correct the mistakes and place the correct names on the appropriate plaques. At least three names of SA who died during Operation Thiba in the Congo were omitted from the nameplate for that operation. The name of Major Tolla Pieterse, who was killed as part of the United Nations (UN) intervention brigade in the DRC, appears incorrectly under the list of the fallen for Samidrc, the Southern African Development Community’s peace force in the DRC. Pieterse died nearly a year ago when a grenade exploded near his tent. The military has remained silent about the findings of the investigation into his death. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Erika Gibson at City Press (subscription / trial registration required)
Higher education minister’s 'independent panel' that advised her on Seta chair appointments could be imaginary Sunday Times reports that Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane has her back to the wall as she faces growing pressure to come clean over her aborted plan to appoint politically connected chairs for sector education and training authorities (Setas). While the minister has claimed an “independent panel” produced the controversial names she put forward to head various Setas, the process of appointing the panel was seemingly never concluded. Nkabane plunged into a political maelstrom when it emerged that her list was stacked with ANC cronies, including the son of mines minister Gwede Mantashe. Her attitude during an acrimonious meeting of parliament’s portfolio committee on higher education on 30 May, when she showed disdain for the committee and refused to disclose the names of the panellists, earned the ire of President Cyril Ramaphosa, who summoned her to explain her conduct. At the meeting in parliament, Nkabane refused to discuss how she had ensured the process of appointing the panel had been “credible”. When she appeared before Ramaphosa, he expressed his displeasure at her attitude and instructed her to produce a report on the process used to compile the list, the identities of the members of the panel and what the panel’s recommendations were. A high-level government source said it was suspected that no panel existed, which has raised raises questions as to how Nkabane decided on the Seta names she submitted last month. The higher education department has restarted the nomination process for Seta chairs. It closes on Thursday. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sabelo Skiti, Kgothatso Madisa & Thabo Mokone at Sunday Times (subscriber access only). Read too, Cosatu hits out at Minister Nkabane for her ‘arrogant’ attitude, at SABC News
Cabanac mulls legal challenge to firing as Steenhuizen’s chief of staff Sunday Times reports that Roman Cabanac, who was fired as agriculture minister John Steenhuisen's chief of staff last week, has given the strongest hint yet that he will mount a legal challenge against his dismissal. It took almost nine months for Steenhuisen to get Cabanac out of his office after Cabanac refused to step down from his R1.4m a year position when the DA leader asked him to leave in September 2024. Steenhuisen had faced a backlash for appointing the controversial former podcaster, who is accused of having expressed racist views on social media and other platforms. Cabanac dug in his heels, saying he was opposed to quitting his job over issues unrelated to his performance. Matters became more complicated in April when it emerged that Cabanac, who was born in France, could not be granted security clearance due to his dual French and SA citizenship. Security clearance is an essential requirement for people occupying positions at his level. Cabanac indicated on Friday that he was weighing his legal options because he believed there were procedural and other flaws in the process followed by Steenhuisen and his department in firing him. A ministry of agriculture spokesperson said they were ready to defend the matter in court. Other sources said Cabanac had been aiming for a golden handshake before vacating his office and that might be a reason he was considering challenging his dismissal. Ministerial staff serve at the pleasure of their bosses, with their tenure linked to the five-year government term. But they may be terminated if the minister who appointed them vacates their position early. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Thabo Mokone at Sunday Times (subscriber access only) Northern Cape teacher fired for using ‘illegal’ k-word loses reinstatement bid The Citizen reports that a Northern Cape teacher has failed in his attempt to return to work after being dismissed for using a racial slur against two black pupils. Gerhard Louw took the provincial department of education to the Education Labour Relations Council, arguing that his dismissal had been unfair. At the time, Louw was employed at Technical High School Kimberley, where he taught technology and automotive subjects. He was dismissed in November last year after being found guilty at a disciplinary hearing of calling two African pupils the k-word. The appeal proceedings were held on 8 April and 22 May. Louw testified as the sole witness in his own defence. He insisted he could not recall using the k-word. During cross-examination, Louw admitted to being angry during the interaction with the two female pupils concerned, but again denied using the racial slur. In a 5 June ruling, the arbitrator found that the testimonies of the two pupils were credible and consistent, making them reliable witnesses. The arbitrator also noted that Louw agreed with almost every detail of the pupils’ accounts, except the use of the racial slur. “A mere denial by the applicant is not enough to sustain a plea of not guilty when faced by allegations of this nature. The usage of the word ‘k****r’ is not just illegal and degrading to the humanity and dignity of the learners, but it reminds us all of the horrible past of our country,” the award reads. The dismissal was ruled “substantively fair”. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Molefe Seeletsa at The Citizen Other internet posting(s) in this news category Kensington High teacher fired for allegedly awarding marks to pupils based on their ‘body shape’, at News24 (subscription / trial registration required)
Ekurhuleni city manager challenges council-imposed special leave ahead of retirement City Press reports that a political and administrative showdown is unfolding in the City of Ekurhuleni Metro after city manager Imogen Mashazi refused to accept the council-imposed special leave set to run from 29 May to 1 August, when she is scheduled to retire. In a letter dated 4 June, Executive Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza notified Mashazi of the council resolution confirming that she was to be placed on leave in terms as, in terms of local government regulations, senior positions can only be held by people younger than 65 and Mashazi has reached that age. However, in a sharp rebuttal, Mashazi’s office issued a response indicating her refusal to accept “the imposition of forced special leave” and that she would continue to report for duty. Council minutes show that the leave was triggered as part of the handover and succession process, but Mashazi’s rejection now places the municipality in uncertain legal and political territory. Meanwhile, the council has approved the formal recruitment process for a new city manager. The position will be advertised on a five-year fixed-term contract and a selection panel has been appointed. Mashazi’s final months in office have been anything but smooth. In March, the Labour Appeal Court upheld a 12-month suspended sentence against her for contempt of court after she failed to implement an arbitration award in favour of workers from the SA Municipal Workers’ Union. Earlier this year, the ANC Youth League joined calls for Mashazi to step down ahead of her retirement, accusing her of enabling a “crisis in youth development” and failing to uphold transformation targets in procurement. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lunga Simelane at City Press (subscription / trial registration required). Read too, Ekurhuleni city manager Imogen Mashazi refuses to vacate her position, at EWN. And also, City of Ekurhuleni to begin process of finding new city manager, at EWN Unisa suspends another top official who questioned financial irregularities City Press reports that the University of SA (Unisa) has suspended another senior official in its finance department for allegedly blowing the whistle on R500,000 spent on an ANC-aligned event. Donald Ndlovu, a director in the asset and expenditure unit, was suspended on 29 April for allegedly downloading the proof of payment to the ANC-aligned Progressive Business Forum. The university council, including vice-chancellor Puleng LenkaBula, paid for a table of 12 executive members next to President Cyril Ramaphosa last December. Shortly after the details of the irregular spending were revealed, Unisa launched an internal investigation to establish who had leaked the payment details. Ndlovu has been charged for disclosing information to a “third party”. He has denied the allegation. AfriForum’s private prosecution unit is representing Ndlovu. In a letter to Unisa senior management, Advocate Gerrie Nel, the head of the AfriForum legal unit, described the steps taken against Ndlovu as an amateurish attempt to conceal financial malfeasance. Ndlovu joins Unisa’s acting vice-principal for finance, supply chain management and business enterprise and chief financial officer, Reshma Mathura, who was suspended in April last year. A year later, after several investigations cleared Mathura of corruption involving receiving illicit payments from students, she remains on suspension. She is also represented by AfriForum. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Abram Mashego at City Press (subscription / trial registration required)
Northern Cape cop who took bribe to make case disappear sentenced to six years The Citizen reports that the Kuruman Regional Court in Northern Cape has sentenced a former police officer to six years’ imprisonment for soliciting R10,000 to make a court docket disappear. Ex-constable Johannes Shuping was sentenced after the court convicted him on two counts of corruption from an incident that dates back to 2018. Shuping, then a detective at Kathu police station, re-arrested the complainant, Buti Moepadira, despite his case already being before the court. After Shuping arrested Moepadira, Shuping offered to “make the docket disappear” in exchange for R11,000. He allowed Moepadira to use his cellphone to arrange the payment. A R6,000 cash payment was delivered to the accused by the complainant’s brother. Shuping continued to demand the outstanding R5,000, prompting Moepadira to report the matter to the Hawks. The investigating officer launched a sting operation using marked banknotes. During the operation, Moepadira’s brother handed over R4,000 to the accused. Police arrested him a week later at his workplace, when he was found in possession of marked R200 notes, which matched the serial numbers recorded during the operation. The court sentenced Shuping to six years’ direct imprisonment on each count. It ordered the sentences to run concurrently, resulting in an effective six-year prison term. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Chulumanco Mahamba at The Citizen. Read too, Constable who solicited bribe to make case disappear sentenced to six years, at News24 (subscription / trial registration required) Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Urgent calls for better vetting of SAPS members amid SA’s sexual violence crisis Weekend Argus reports that recent revelations have prompted scrutiny of the vetting processes employed by SA’s state entities tasked with protecting its most vulnerable populations. Foremost among these, the SA Police Service (SAPS) is facing intense criticism due to what has been described as inadequate screening procedures for its personnel. Build One SA (BOSA) has flagged alarming statistics that out of over 180,000 SAPS members, a mere 245 – or 0.14% – have been screened against the National Register for Sex Offenders (NRSO). Meantime, over 42,700 rapes werereported in the 2023/24 financial year alone. BOSA spokesperson Roger Solomon, indicated: “South Africans cannot be expected to trust law enforcement to protect them from sexual violence when SAPS has failed to even vet its own officers.” BOSA is demanding mandatory NRSO screenings for all SAPS employees within the next three months and for such vetting to be included in recruitment, promotions, and disciplinary processes. Additionally, it wants a public audit to review the dismissed officers over the past five years to ascertain how many had prior sexual offences. Meanwhile, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has acknowledged the urgency of making the NRSO more accessible to the public. Yet, issues surrounding confidentiality and disclosure provisions within the Sexual Offences and Related Matters Act have delayed the planned publication. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tracy-Lynn Ruiters at Weekend Argus. Read too, Only 0.1% of police officers checked for sexual offences, at Mail & Guardian
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