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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Numsa and plastics sector bosses sign above-inflation three-year pay deal BL Premium reports that The National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) has signed a multi-term above-inflation wage deal with five employer associations in the plastics sector. The agreement is set to be extended to nonparties in a sector employing about 34,000 workers nationally. There are about 1,800 plastics companies countrywide. The wage agreement will see workers getting pay increases of 7% effective 1 July, a 6% increase effective July 2026 and another 6% increase from July 2027. The wage talks began on 10 April with the offer to unions – including Numsa, NUM, Uasa, Mewusa and Saewa – tabled on 20 May. The employer associations that signed the wage deal included the Plastics Convertors Association of SA (PCASA); Cape Engineers and Founders Association (CEFA); KwaZulu-Natal Engineering Industries Association (KZNEIA); Light Engineering Industries Association (LEIA) and the National Employers’ Association of SA (NEASA). “We think that we have been able to secure a settlement in the best interest for workers. It is a victory for plastic workers. It has been very difficult to handle negotiations in the past because we experienced major challenges,” Numsa general secretary Irvin Jim indicated. Speaking recently, PCASA CEO Natalie van Vreden said the three-year duration would ensure “stability and sustainability within the plastics industry for employers and employees”. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
Aircraft accident investigators looking into two plane crashes in KZN claimed lives of student pilot and two others EWN reports that the Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation division is investigating two plane crashes that claimed three lives in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). On Sunday, a light aircraft went missing with the three occupants on board, and was recovered on Monday. The plane was part of a formation involving three planes from Durban to Pretoria when the incident occurred. The three planes left Virginia Airport in Durban, in a loose formation, heading to Pretoria. The planes had the intent of refuelling in Ladysmith on Sunday night. However, due to the lack of night facilities at the Ladysmith airport, the formation diverted to the nearby Greytown Airport, where the first plane crashed into a bushy terrain. The pilot was unharmed. The second plane landed safely, but the third one was only found on Monday morning, with all three occupants dead. KZN Department of Transport spokesperson, Ndabezinhle Sibiya, indicated that the MEC’s office was in touch with the family of the late student pilot Nqobisile Biyela, who was killed. Her mother, Ms Zama Biyela, was said to be devastated following the loss of such a talented young lady who had a bright future in the aviation industry. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nhlanhla Mabaso at EWN. Read too, Three dead after aircraft crashes in KwaZulu-Natal, at News24 (subscription / trial registration required) And also, Student pilot who died in KZN aircraft crash identified, three confirmed dead, at The Mercury Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Statistics SA crippled by low budget and high staff shortages BL Premium reports that Statistics SA, which provides vital statistics on economic growth, employment and population, among a host of other key data essential for government planning, has about 720 vacant posts, which is a vacancy rate of 21.8%. Statistician-general Risenga Maluleke warned on Friday during an engagement with MPs on Stats SA’s five-year strategic plan that the situation was critical. “If we don’t arrest this situation the quality of statistics will start imploding. The vacancy level is dangerous for our ability to produce reliable statistics,” Maluleke warned. The institution loses between 128 to 131 staff members a year, but in the last financial year was only allowed to fill seven posts. The high vacancy rate was due, Maluleke said, to inadequate funding. The R2.8bn which the agency will receive in 2025/26 is about the same as its funding for 2023/24, which meant that much-needed infrastructure upgrades were unaffordable. Deputy Minister in the Presidency Nonceba Mhlauli confirmed that Stats SA was in severe financial straits and said the high vacancy rate placed the sustainability of its core data series at risk. Mhlauli said discussions about the institution’s financial position were under way with National Treasury, which has undertaken to consider it for the medium-term budget policy statement later this year. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Linda Ensor at BusinessLive (subscriber access only) Other internet posting(s) in this news category
At least three officials must collude to create one ghost worker, says public service chairperson Mail & Guardian reports that the chairperson of parliament’s portfolio committee on public service and administration pointed out on Monday that creating one ghost employee on the public payroll required the collusion of at least three officials. Jan de Villiers also said that the era of treating ghost workers as a clerical irregularity was over. “This is not merely a payroll anomaly. It is a deliberate and orchestrated form of systemic corruption. It is organised crime within the state,” he said at a media briefing by chairpersons of the governance cluster in the National Assembly. The briefing followed a renewed government focus on eliminating waste and corruption in the public sector wage bill, triggered by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s budget speech last month. Godongwana announced use of a data-driven strategy to root out inefficiencies, including ghost employees. De Villiers said the portfolio committee, acting on this directive, convened on 28 May to interrogate the pervasive and corrosive problem of ghost workers. Its conclusion was that the issue was systemic, criminal and far more widespread than previously acknowledged. Among the examples cited were 230 unverifiable employees whose salaries were frozen by the Gauteng department of health in May, and R6.4 million in salaries paid to ghost workers in the Mpumalanga department of education. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Des Erasmus at Mail & Guardian. Read too, ‘Real people drawing fraudulent salaries’ – crackdown looms on public sector ghost employees, at Daily Maverick. And also, Ghost workers are a 'deliberate and orchestrated form of systemic corruption', at IOL News Ghost workers thrive in public sector while youth struggle for jobs, parliament warns The Citizen reports that while thousands of unemployed graduates struggle to enter the public service, parliament has warned that systemic corruption is enabling ghost workers to drain public funds, taking away jobs and resources meant for real people. This was indicated by the chairperson of the portfolio committee on public service and administration, Jan de Villiers, at a briefing on Monday following a committee meeting on 28 May to address payroll fraud and youth employment in government. “Every ghost worker represents a post that could have been filled by a qualified graduate, a dedicated nurse, a teacher in a rural school, or a social worker supporting the vulnerable,” De Villiers pointed out. He added: “Real people are drawing fraudulent salaries, and real taxpayer money is being siphoned into private pockets under the guise of legitimate employment.” The committee also flagged serious concerns about youth employment in the public service. According to the Department of Public Service and Administration, youth aged 31 to 35 make up 27% of the workforce, comprising more than 347,000 individuals, with most in finance, admin and technical roles. Yet many face poor mentorship, lack of formal skills recognition, and limited opportunities for absorption into permanent posts. “Placements without professional development or recognition are insufficient. We must build a future-ready public service,” said De Villiers. The committee is pushing for early retirement schemes to create space for young professionals, but insists that only transparent, merit-based recruitment will restore trust. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Oratile Mashilo at The Citizen
Employers gain flexibility in choosing EAP demographics for employment equity plans Cape Times reports that employers will have the option to use the applicable national or regional Economically Active Population (EAP) population as an instrument when developing employment equity (EE) plans. At a recent EE workshop, Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) deputy director, Masilo Lefika said employers would have this option when developing EE Plans and setting annual numerical targets in their workplaces. He added that when developing EE Plans and setting annual numerical targets in their workplaces in terms of legislation, designated employers must take into account the workforce profile, the relevant five-year sectoral numerical targets, and the applicable EAP. “The five-year sectoral numerical targets are key milestones towards achieving the equitable representation of the different designated groups within the four upper occupational levels in an employer’s workforce in relation to the demographics of the applicable EAP, and for persons with disabilities,” said Lefika. This comes as the DEL is forging ahead with implementing legislative amendments to the Employment Equity Act (EEA). However the changes have been met with mixed reactions as the DA has taken government to court to challenge the amendments, while others have raised concerns about applying national targets at the expense of regional demographics. Trade union federation Cosatu welcomed the option for employers to choose which demographics to apply when setting their targets. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nicola Daniels at Cape Times
Thungela shareholders take aim at AGM at coal producer’s executive pay News24 Business reports that executive pay at Thungela Resources came under scrutiny when almost 40% of the shareholder vote went against the group’s remuneration implementation policy at the coal producer’s annual general meeting last week. In the previous year, 94% of the vote supported the policy. The group’s total “variable remuneration” – including bonuses, incentives and share awards – for six Thungela executives surged over the past year by almost R73 million from a collective R16.25 million in 2023 to R88.8 million in 2024. Variable remuneration for Thungela CEO July Ndlovu rose from R8.9 million in 2023 to almost R50 million in 2024, while the chief financial officer Deon Smith saw his variable pay increase from R4.8 million in 2023 to over R22 million in 2024. Notably, however, the total remuneration paid out to both the CEO and CFO was, in fact, lower in 2024 due to large bonuses that were awarded to them earlier, but paid out in 2023. Ndlovu received R60 million in 2024, from R77 million in the previous year – when almost R59 million was paid out as part of “retention and milestone” awards that were granted to him in late 2021. As the AGM vote in question is “non-binding and advisory” in nature, the failure to achieve over 75% on Thursday has no practical effect on the executive pay in 2024, but Thungela is now required in terms of the JSE listing requirements to engage with dissenting shareholders on their concerns. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lisa Steyn at News24 Business Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Pension Funds Adjudicator refers local authorities pension fund to regulator for failure to respond to requests for information Engineering News reports that the Pension Funds Adjudicator (PFA) has reported the SA Local Authorities Pension Fund to the Financial Services Conduct Authority (FSCA) and has recommended that action to be taken against its officials. PFA Muvhango Lukhaimane said there had been several complaints against the fund and the lack of response from the fund reflected a disregard of the Pension Funds Act, its rules and the best interests of members. She severely criticised the fund for its failure to respond to repeated requests for information. Lukhaimane said that the fund’s non-compliance was “intolerable” and included several contraventions of the Act and also reflected poor conduct of duty. The PFA dealt with high volumes of complaints which needed to be disposed of expeditiously in order to properly fulfil its mandate, Lukhaimane noted. The failure to respond to enquiries and to timeously respond to complaints by such persons was a failure to uphold their fiduciary responsibilities. It impeded the adjudicator’s ability to deliver on its mandate and, if allowed to continue, would render the adjudicator ineffective. “When the administrative wheels of a fund come off, it starts off with the fund’s failure to respond to complaints that require data from its administration system relating to payment of contributions,” Lukhaimane pointed out. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Engineering News GEPF members face delays with resignation, death and divorce payouts due to volume of two-pot withdrawal applications News24 Business reports that the implementation of the ‘two-pot’ system at the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) has led to complaints about delays in the payment of resignation, death and divorce benefits. Prior to the implementation of the two-pot system, 90% of claims relating to retirement, death, resignations and transfers were processed within 60 days. But, according to Brian Karidza, head of Actuarial & Benefits Administration Services at the GEPF, the fund continues to pay the majority of benefits on time. “As a large pension fund, our absolute number of late payments can appear high, but in proportional terms, the vast majority of claims are processed within the 60-day target once we have all the required documentation,” said Karidza. Unaudited figures provided by GEPF for exit claims resulting from retirement, death, resignations, and transfers showed that between October and December, 85% of the 17,000 claims were paid within 60 days. Between January and March 2025, 80% of the 16,500 claims were paid within the 60-day time period. Karidza acknowledged that there have been challenges with the introduction of the two-pot system as volumes of claims have increased more than tenfold, which has increased the workload and challenges. “The development effort required to support complex benefit structures like the GEPF’s is naturally substantial, and the recent system enhancements have taken longer than anticipated. Nonetheless, I can confirm that payments are still being made, and we are continuously working with GPAA to streamline processes and reduce backlogs,” he said. “The introduction of [the] two-pot system revealed a lot of challenges and the fact that GEPF were never ready for this change,” said a financial advisor whose clients are mostly GEPF members. He noted that the challenges were all with GEPF members who resigned. Those who retired were not having an issue receiving funds. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Maya Fisher-French at News24 Business (subscription / trial registration required)
Cape Town law enforcement officer arrested on kidnapping, extortion and murder charges IOL News reports that the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) arrested a 43-year-old City of Cape Town Law Enforcement officer on Monday on charges of murder, kidnapping, and extortion. The officer is attached to the Anti-Land Invasion Unit. Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Siyabulela Vukubi said the kidnapping was alleged to have taken place on 16 May in Kraaifontein and added: “The victim was last seen by a friend who reported that the victim (friend) went to Bellville to view a vehicle he intended to purchase and never came back. Instead, another friend of the victim received a call from the victim reporting that he had been kidnapped and was being assaulted.” The suspects demanded a ransom of R100,000 for the victim’s release, which was later reduced to R10,000. A bank account number into which the money should be deposited was provided and R5,000 was deposited. The suspects then continued to demand the balance. On 17 May, four suspects were arrested and they have made a court appearance. “The team was led to an open field on the dunes between Monwabisi Beach and Macassar, where one of the accused pointed out a shallow grave where the victim was killed and buried. Upon further probe, it transpired that the City of Cape Town Law Enforcement vehicle, which was driven by the suspect, was utilised in the commission of this heinous crime,” Vukubi stated. The officer is expected to appear in the Bluedowns Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. He will be joining his co-accused in the dock on 12 June. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Robin-Lee Francke at IOL News. Read too, Cape Town law enforcement officer arrested for 'kidnapping, extortion, murder', at TimesLIVE Cop arrested for student Kamogelo Baukudi’s kidnapping faces extra charge of extortion Sunday World reports that the 42-year-old police sergeant who has been detained in relation to the abduction of Kamogelo Baukudi, a 19-year-old student in the Free State, has also been accused of extortion. This was made public when the sergeant appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Monday. The police sergeant, who was arrested on Sunday, is accused of kidnapping and extortion in relation to Baukudi’s abduction. Since there has not yet been an identity parade, the officer’s identity and face cannot be made public. The court postponed the case to Friday to allow for consultations in regard to the accused’s formal bail application. He remains in police custody. The court case comes after two individuals who identified themselves as police officers abducted Baukudi on Thursday in Erlichpark Extension in Bloemfontein. A white Toyota Hilux GD6 double cab vehicle belonging to the SA Police Service (SAPS) was used in the abduction. National police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe indicated: “The SAPS had initially reported that fake cops had kidnapped Kamogelo Baukudi. Upon further investigation, Free State police have found that the white Toyota Hilux GD6 is SAPS property, and a 42-year-old police sergeant has been arrested. This is highly disappointing and unacceptable.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mpho Koka at Sunday World SAPS disciplinary system fails to address police brutality, eroding public trust in law enforcement Daily Maverick reports that a new Institute for Security Studies (ISS) analysis shows that police face little chance of being sanctioned internally by the SA Police Service (SAPS) for disciplinary offences. The analysis provides context to the acquittal by a SAPS disciplinary process of eight VIP Protection Unit officers who assaulted members of the public. In July 2023, officers were filmed dragging a driver and two passengers out of a vehicle, repeatedly kicking them as they lay on the ground, then rapidly leaving the scene. Although the eight police members face criminal charges for the assaults, the SAPS was unable or unwilling to convict any of them despite the video recording of the incident. The criminal case against the eight officials resumes on 10 June. It is said that the decision not to sanction police in a case with such strong evidence will encourage SAPS members to disregard standards regarding the use of force. Excessive and unnecessary force will become even more entrenched than it already is. In the unlikely event that they are charged for ill-discipline, almost 80% of SAPS members will ultimately face no sanction. ISS analysis of data in SAPS annual reports and the Safety and Security Sectoral Bargaining Council shows that 6,154 (77.4%) of 7,946 disciplinary cases against SAPS members ended without sanction. At the SAPS Policing Summit in April, discussions consistently highlighted the weakness of the disciplinary system. Police serving in disciplinary hearings as presiding officers or prosecutors (employer representatives) are frequently poorly acquainted with the relevant aspects of the law. This was confirmed at the summit by police trade unions, which often represent accused SAPS members. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by David Bruce at Daily Maverick
Police captain accused of raping female trainee and sexually assaulting another granted R8,000 bail TimesLIVE reports that the Pretoria Magistrate's Court has granted R8,000 bail to a 59-year-old police captain from the Pretoria Police Training Academy, who is accused of raping a 20-year-old female trainee and sexually assaulting another trainee. The officer allegedly raped the trainee on 6 May after having allegedly sexually assaulted another trainee in March. The incidents allegedly took place in his office at the training college. Police spokesperson Lizzy Suping said that on 6 May, the 20-year-old trainee was walking with her colleagues to their sleeping quarters when the captain called her to his office. “In the office, the captain allegedly locked the door and told the trainee if she did not sleep with him he would serve her with a misconduct letter regarding an incident that allegedly happened in April, where the captain accused the trainee of failing to salute him,” Suping indicated. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Shonisani Tshikalange at TimesLIVE
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