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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Mashatile declares youth unemployment a ‘moral emergency’ News24 reports that Deputy President Paul Mashatile has conceded that many young people in SA are not living the future they had hoped for. Mashatile, who delivered the government’s message for Youth Day in Potchefstroom, said young people were confronted by high levels of unemployment, inequality and a lack of access to opportunities, especially in the digital world. “As government, we acknowledge that for these young people their reality remains untenable, undesirable and unsustainable,” Mashatile stated. He noted that according to Stats SA’s Quarterly Labour Force Survey, more than half of young people aged between 18 and 34 were unemployed, which was “one of the highest levels we have ever seen, and it is of grave concern.” Mashatile said this was more than just an economic issue – it was a moral emergency. He commented further: “It affects our whole society and demands urgent action from all sectors – government, business and communities at large. We must fix the structural challenges in our economy to address inequality and skills mismatch between education and what the job market needs. In this regard, the government is collaborating with stakeholders like Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator to combat youth economic exclusion by addressing the demand-supply mismatch in the South African labour market.” Mashatile also opined that there was a need to encourage young people to look into starting their own businesses instead of waiting for employment. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Siyamtanda Capa at News24 (subscription / trial registration required). Read too, Youth unemployment, a crisis in South Africa, at Sunday Tribune. And also, 'Urgent need for adaptable skills', says Mashatile on unemployment crisis, at TimesLIVE Police fire rubber bullets at crowd outside Youth Day event, injuring 67 Daily Maverick reports that the SA Police Service (SAPS) has been accused of repeating the actions of the apartheid government after Potchefstroom police in North West fired rubber bullets at a crowd outside North West University’s Rag Farm Stadium, where the Youth Day commemorative event was held. “It is only fitting that, since it’s June 16 that they would treat us like this. They were so brutal, they shot at us,” claimed Daniel “Mokwena” Letsie, a community leader in the Informal Settlements Committee, a grassroots organisation in Potchefstroom. His statement came only hours after police fired rubber bullets at residents who were marching to the stadium where Deputy President Paul Mashatile and several high-ranking government officials gathered for the National Youth Day commemorative event. The Informal Settlements Committee and Solidarity Action Committee Collective released a joint statement on Monday, claiming that more than 67 people had been injured. Earlier, several news reports circulated that police using rubber bullets had dispersed a group of protesters, but Mokwena said that the march was not a protest. “The reason we went there was because we wanted to make the deputy president aware of the crisis we are living in here in Potchefstroom. We were amazed … we were walking peacefully,” Mokwena claimed. He said that when they were about 1km from the stadium, the police opened fire on them. The community leader alleged that those injured were denied medical care and that the police threatened to arrest the injured if they sought medical attention at any of the local clinics. Mashatile’s spokesperson Keith Khoza said they were not aware of the incident. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lerato Mutsila at Daily Maverick Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Trade and Industry Minister agrees unemployment statistics should include work in informal sector The Citizen reports that Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, agreed last week with Capitec CEO Gerrie Fourie that unemployment statistics should include work in the informal sector. However, not everybody agrees. Fourie argued that Statistics SA should rethink how it measured unemployment and maintained that, when the vast informal sector was considered, the unemployment rate of 32.9% could be closer to 10%. “We talk about an unemployment rate of 32%, but Statistics SA does not count self-employed people. I think that is an area we must correct. The unemployment rate is probably actually 10%. Just go look at the number of people in the township informal market who sell all sorts of stuff and have a turnover of R1 000 per day,” Fourie indicated. In response to a parliamentary question, Tau concurred that there was significant undercounting, particularly when the informal sector was considered. “This is an issue that everyone should collectively engage with to both acknowledge the informal sector and reinforce the support mechanisms for what was a major contributor to employment in the country,” he indicated. However, the independent economic research institution TIPS (Trade and Industrial Policy Strategies) does not agree with Fourie. TIPS economist Dr Neva Makgetla said their own research showed that claims by a few business leaders and researchers that the informal sector had been neglected in both official data on unemployment and in government strategies to address joblessness were at best overdrawn and at worst simply false. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ina Opperman at The Citizen Capitec CEO refuses to budge on 10% unemployment stance Sunday Times reports that Capitec CEO Gerrie Fourie is sticking to his guns over the true number of unemployed in SA despite widespread rejection of his comments that the jobless rate is about 10% if the self-employed are taken into account. According to Fourie, the official Stats SA unemployment rate of 32% does not paint an accurate picture and SA should emulate Mexico, which factors in the informal economy in reporting an unemployment rate of less than 3%. On Friday, Capitec acknowledged the controversy that Fourie’s comments provoked. Stats SA had called the comments “misleading and incorrect” and the EFF had condemned them as “an attempt by the white capitalist establishment to hide the failure of the DA-ANC coalition government.” Capitec said in response: “Our intention was never to downplay this reality [of unemployment], but rather to broaden the conversation to include the immense, often unmeasured, economic activity within the informal sector. From our extensive presence in communities across the nation, we witness the daily resilience and entrepreneurial spirit of people who are creating their own opportunities. To overlook this vital part of our economy is to ignore a key driver of potential growth.” Capitec added that the focus should be on enabling growth, not arguing about numbers: “The challenge is not to debate statistics, but to find actionable solutions to develop skills and provide access to markets and funding to enable growth.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Dineo Faku at Sunday Times (subscriber access only) Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Cops racked up R131m sick leave bill in last financial year Sunday Times reports that the SA Police Service (SAPS) spent R131m on paid sick leave in the last financial year, most of it for periods of longer than six months. This was revealed by Police Minister Senzo Mchunu last week in response to a written parliamentary question. Mchunu told MPs that the SAPS had spent R131,585,808 on more than 600 police officers’ paid sick leave during the 2023/24 financial year. “The total number of SAPS employees who were on paid sick leave for a period exceeding six months, during the 2023/24 financial year, is 618,” he added in response to DA MP Lisa Schickerling’s question. Schickerling commented on Friday that during the police committee’s oversight visits to police stations, absenteeism and “burnout” of the men and women in blue were often cited as headaches by station commanders. She said that while some cases of long sick leave were justifiable due to “traumatic and stressful” working conditions, there were instances of abuse, including in the top management of the service. Schickerling argued that the SAPS was lax in its management of paid sick leave. The SA Policing Union (Sapu) flatly rejected suggestions that its members were abusing sick leave. Sapu spokesperson Lesiba Thobakgale said those making such claims had no idea what their members were subjected to in the line of duty. He also claimed there were gaps in how the SAPS was providing “employee wellness support” to police officers. “There’s not enough personnel who can give that debriefing to our members, they go home with that traumatic experience, tomorrow they come back to attend to another one. And then they start to pile up,” he explained. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Thabo Mokone at Sunday Times (subscriber access only). Read too, SAPS spends more than R100 million on paid sick leave, at The Citizen. En ook, Polisie mors R130 miljoen op betaalde siekverlof, by Maroela Media Manager found unharmed after kidnapping at Addo road construction site last week The Herald reports that construction manager Victor Ngcobo, who was kidnapped on the R355 road in Motherwell on Wednesday last week, has been found unharmed. Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Avele Fumba said the 38-year-old was found on Monday. He had been working on a multimillion-rand Sanral project on the R335 between Motherwell and Addo at the time of his abduction. Fumba reported: “It is alleged that the suspects forced the victim into a white Mercedes-Benz vehicle along Addo Road in Gqeberha. The victim works as a construction manager and was found unharmed and has not sustained any physical injuries. The investigation team is ... probing the matter to establish the full circumstances around the abduction and to ensure those responsible are swiftly brought to justice.” Reportedly a R10m ransom demand had been made for Ngcobo’s return. It remains unclear whether a ransom was paid. Read the original of the short report in the above regard at The Herald Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Third batch of SANDF members deployed to DRC returns home SABC News reports that the third group of SA National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers returning from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC) landed at Bram Fischer International Airport in Bloemfontein on Monday. Earlier this year, SA lost 14 soldiers as M23 rebels advanced on the city of Goma in the eastern DRC. SA is withdrawing its troops from the eastern DRC following a decision at a joint SADC and East African Community summit to allow peace talks to resume in the DRC. The SANDF troops are returning home as part of a phased withdrawal from the mission area. The first group of 249 arrived on Friday from Tanzania, which has been used as an assembly point, and the second group of soldiers arrived at the Waterkloof Airforce Base in Pretoria on Sunday. On Tuesday, the fourth group will also land at Bram Fischer. The arrival of these soldiers was delayed by several weeks due to logistical challenges. The SANDF’s Major Thabo Sello said upon their return, the troops would undergo the standard demobilisation programme, which would include health screenings, psychological support, and reunification services. Read the original of the short report in the above regard at SABC News. Read too, SANDF soldiers returning from DRC taken for psychological counselling, at SABC News Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Transnet, unions sign above-inflation three-year wage agreement BL Premium reports that rail operator Transnet has reached a wage deal with the two largest unions at the utility for above-inflation increases of 6% each year over a three-year period. This follows the conclusion of a conciliation process by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) last week. Under the agreement, members of the United National Transport Union (Untu) and the SA Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) will receive increases of 6% each year from 2025 to 2028. “The above-inflation wage agreement represents a 18% wage increment over the three-year period. It includes increases to basic salary and related components, viz. 13th cheque, pension fund contribution, medical aid subsidy and housing allowance,” Transnet said in a statement. It added: “The finalisation of the three-year wage agreement provides labour stability and will enable the company to focus on its immediate strategic priorities of improving operational and financial performance, while positioning the organisation for future growth, thereby ensuring job security and economic growth.” In May, Satawu and Transnet signed a wage deal for that union’s members to receive increases of 6% in the first and second years and 5.5% in the final year of the agreement. “As the majority union representing the voices of more than 26,000 employees at Transnet, Untu confirms that this newly signed agreement supersedes the previous agreement signed between Transnet and the minority union, Satawu,” Untu spokesperson Atenkosi Plaatjie advised. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
Suspension of top Mpumalanga official linked to R11.2m missing NUM funds lifted Sunday World reports that the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has lifted the suspension of a high-ranking Mpumalanga official implicated in missing union funds. The NUM national executive committee (NEC) lifted the suspension at its recent meeting in Kempton Park. The NUM Highveld regional official was put on ice after more than R11-million in worker subscriptions allegedly went unaccounted for. Mining company Seriti Coal mistakenly deposited the funds into the account of the union’s Highveld agency instead of the NUM’s national subscription account. The agency account is used to fund the training of members only, however, sources claimed that the money was used instead to pay bogus service providers. According to a source, the NEC further resolved to disband the team it had appointed to investigate the missing millions. Instead, it will appoint a private company to handle the probe. “Appointing a service provider to probe these unaccounted-for funds would result in a misuse of funds because this is going to cost the organisation,” said the source. Apparently, the investigation team was disbanded after it produced a damning preliminary report. Sunday World reported last week that the R11.2-million was allegedly paid into a bank account controlled by Highveld leadership. The scandal resulted in a fallout among NUM officials, with two volunteering to expose how the implicated regional leaders used the funds. Meanwhile, the NUM’s elective conference is scheduled for 24 and 25 June. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mpho Sibanyoni at Sunday World North West Health Department plans to conclude burials of illegal Stilfontein miners within a month EWN reports that the North West Department of Health plans to conclude the paupers’ burials of illegal miners who died at a decommissioned gold mine in Stilfontein by the end of June or in early July. The bodies of almost 90 illegal miners were pulled from an abandoned shaft earlier in 2025 when police intensified an operation to clamp down on illegal mining at an old Buffelsfontein gold mine in the area. Close to 2,000 illegal miners were arrested during the operation. With only 25 bodies identified and released to families from Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Mozambique, the mass burial of unclaimed bodies of the illegal miners began a week ago. Thirty people were buried as unclaimed persons, but DNA was extracted in case families came forward at a later stage looking for their loved ones. Health officials confirmed that 23 bodies remained to be buried. Mining Affected Communities United in Action and other activists held a memorial for the illegal miners who died at Shaft 10 and 11 in Stilfontein. “We’re here to reaffirm the humanity of those who died at Stilfontein. These miners were dehumanised. These miners were criminalised. Nobody on the side of government and mining capital saw through their act of survival, past the fact that their actions were outside of the framework of the law,” said Lawyers for Human Rights attorney Mametlwe Sebei. Since the operation, there have been renewed calls for government to formalise artisanal mining. Read the original of the report in the above regard by Nokukhanya Mntambo at EWN. Read too, Cleansing ceremony for Stilfontein illegal miners, at SABC News Other general posting(s) relating to mining
Five suspects arrested in Durban for passport fraud operation, one with 226 stolen passports The Mercury reports that five suspects involved in an alleged passport fraud syndicate in Durban were arrested in a Home Affairs-led law enforcement operation at the weekend. The operation, supported by the Hawks, took place at the uMngeni and Commercial Road offices in Durban. Among the five people arrested were a former Home Affairs official from the Prospecton office, a municipal project volunteer at the Commercial Road office, and three members of the public – one of whom was found with 226 passports that were recently stolen from the uMngeni Home Affairs office. The same suspect was also found with copies of enabling documents that did not belong to him. One of the suspects was found with keys to the Home Affairs offices on Commercial Road and at Prospecton. The successful operation was initiated by Home Affairs’ Counter-Corruption Unit following information received from the public. All five suspects are expected to appear in the Durban Commercial Crimes Court on Tuesday. The department said two further suspects had been identified as members of this syndicate but the Hawks remained on the hunt for them. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Siphesihle Buthelezi at The Mercury. Read too, Five more arrested in Durban passport fraud scheme, at News24 (subscription / trial registration required). En ook, Nog vyf vas oor paspoortbedrog in Durban, by Maroela Media Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Two Free State officers in court in connection with Kroonstad guesthouse rape News24 reports that two Free State police officers have appeared in the Kroonstad Magistrate’s Court in connection with a rape that was reported at a guesthouse. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) said the officers, both aged 25, were arrested after the alleged rape at the guesthouse in Kroonstad on 8 June. IPID spokesperson Phaladi Shuping said the two officers allegedly met two women, both aged 21, at a nightclub where they had been drinking. “They later agreed to go together to the guesthouse. One police officer allegedly raped one of the women, and a case was opened,” Shuping reported. The officers face charges of rape and conspiracy to rape. One of the officers was provisionally released pending further investigation. The case against the second officer was postponed to 19 June for a bail application. The two officers are stationed at Bloemspruit and Heuningspruit. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Iavan Pijoos at News24 (subscription / trial registration required) Bergview College principal opens police case against politicians over false rape allegations News24 reports that Bergview College principal Jaco Pieterse has laid charges against prominent politicians whom he believes tarnished his reputation by falsely accusing him of raping a seven-year-old Matatiele child. Pieterse, represented by AfriForum’s private prosecution unit, opened cases of crimen injuria against ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, EFF leader Julius Malema and Eastern Cape Education MEC Fundile Gade at the Sophiatown and Boksburg North police stations on Friday. In addition, Mbalula and Malema face charges related to violations of the Cybercrimes Act and the Intimidation Act. Several high-ranking political leaders had reportedly contended Pieterse had something to hide, fuelling speculation that he was the main suspect. Gade suggested, without any basis, that Pieterse might be linked to other alleged sexual assaults. Mbalula previously condemned AfriForum’s legal assistance of Pieterse as “disgraceful” and said it shielded “suspects rather than standing for justice”. In April, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu admitted that he had wrongly identified Pieterse as a suspect in the rape of the girl and said he was prepared to apologise to him. Last month, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) declined to prosecute anyone for the alleged rape of the girl because there was “no conclusive evidence” that she had been sexually assaulted. AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel said the charges filed were “just the beginning” and that “action against other parties who defamed Pieterse and AfriForum has yet to be determined”. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Iavan Pijoos at News24 (subscription / trial registration required). Lees ook, Bergview: AfriForum doen eerste stappe teen ministers, ander, by Maroela Media. En ook, ANC verdedig Mbalula ná Bergview-uitsprake, by Maroela Media Other internet posting(s) in this news category
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