In our Thursday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South
African labour-related reports.
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Unions reject Prasa’s 3% wage offer, which Untu calls ‘disgraceful’ and Satawu “an insult’ BL Premium reports that the United National Transport Union (Untu) lashed out at the Passenger Rail Agency of SA’s (Prasa’s) bargaining style and what it termed “delaying tactics” after the state-owned rail operator tabled a 3% wage offer to unions. Prasa’s wage offer comes after Untu and Satawu declared a dispute in March, after Prasa’s management allegedly refused to formally table a wage offer. This spurred the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) to give Prasa 30 days to table a “just and fair” wage offer to its workforce, a deadline the unions said Prasa missed on 10 May. Untu spokesperson Atenkosi Plaatjie reported: “After nine months of stalling, Prasa tabled a mere 3% increase on the total guaranteed package, with zero movement on any of the allowances. To make matters worse, Prasa’s opening position included a refusal to commit to a nonretrenchment clause, leaving job security in serious jeopardy.” The unions’ consolidated wage demands include a 15% across-the-board wage increase, a R3,000 housing subsidy, a standby allowance of R50 an hour, a night shift allowance of R10 an hour, a moratorium on retrenchments and a medical aid subsidy with the employer contributing 70%. Plaatjie said the union made it clear to the CCMA commissioner that “we reject management’s disgraceful salary increase offer in the strongest possible terms. SA Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) said the 3% offer was an insult to workers and it was “not even going to consult our members on this matter.” The facilitated 2025/26 salary negotiations are set to continue on 25 June. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinessLive (subscriber access only) Numsa members stage protest at Denel over wage increase EWN reports that National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) members at Denel are staged a protest outside the company’s headquarters on Wednesday, calling for a 7% wage increase. They have been demanding a salary increase for the past five years, with no success. The union is expected to meet with the management of Denel for negotiations. Numsa said it decided to lead a march to Denel after it agreed to a wage increase earlier this year, but did not follow through. Spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola said Denel was now proposing an inflation-based increase instead. "Our members are demanding that the members of the board of Denel (implement) an increase that has long been promised to workers for five financial years, (as) workers have not received a single increase," she said, adding that they hoped the upcoming meeting would yield positive results. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Jabulile Mbatha at EWN Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Police deployed to protect Gift of the Givers workers from ‘water mafia’ in Eastern Cape The Citizen reports that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has condemned threats made against humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers while it was providing assistance to flood-affected communities in Mthatha, Eastern Cape. The incident prompted both national and local government to denounce the criminal opportunism targeting disaster relief efforts. Members of an alleged ‘water mafia’ reportedly connected to service providers contracted by the OR Tambo District Municipality allegedly threatened Gift of the Givers staff on 14 June 2025, as they distributed clean drinking water to flood victims. The criminals allegedly told the humanitarian workers to stop their relief operations. Mchunu, who was in Mthatha over the weekend to engage with police members involved in flood response efforts, expressed his outrage at the incident. “The police will not tolerate any attempt to intimidate or obstruct those who are working tirelessly to save lives and bring relief to our people,” Mchunu indicated. The minister warned that law enforcement would take decisive action against those attempting to profit from the disaster. “The SAPS will ensure the safety of all humanitarian workers in the area, and hold those responsible fully accountable under the law.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Enkosi Selane at The Citizen
Themba Mkhwanazi to leave Anglo American as mining group streamlines executive team Miningmx reports that Anglo American’s regional director for Australia and Africa, Themba Mkhwanazi, will be leaving the group from 30 June. This follows the disposal of group assets over the past 12 months. In November, Anglo American reached an agreement to sell the remainder of its metallurgical coal assets in Australia to Peabody Energy. It had earlier agreed to the sale its 33.3% stake in Jellinbah Group, also in Australia, to Zashvin Ltd. Last month, Anglo demerged its 47.1% stake in Valterra Platinum – formerly Anglo American Platinum – to shareholders. It said it would retain a 19.9% stake in Valterra for at least 90 days post the demerger. Mkhwanazi’s duties would be consolidated under Anglo’s chief operating officer, Ruben Fernandes, Anglo said on Wednesday in an announcement to the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. “We thank Themba Mkhwanazi for his outstanding contribution to Anglo American over the last 11 years in which he also led our thermal coal, Kumba Iron Ore and then our Bulks businesses as a whole,” said Duncan Wanblad, CEO of Anglo American. Mkhwanazi was previously CEO of Kumba Iron Ore. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by David McKay at Miningmx Survivor tells how trapped Stilfontein zama zamas ate human flesh and cockroaches to survive GroundUp reports that the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is to hold hearings into the tragedy at an abandoned gold mine in Stilfontein where more than 90 people died when police were deployed to “smoke out” illegal miners (zama zamas). Some of the survivors intend to testify before the SAHRC and some police officers may speak out about wrongdoing by colleagues. A date for the SAHRC hearings has yet to be announced, but the 30 May deadline for public submissions has closed. Zama zama Patrick Ntsokolo hopes to tell his story to the SAHRC. He says he saw colleagues eating cockroaches and even dead bodies underground after police from Operation Vala Umgodi blocked deliveries to illegal miners. He was charged with trespassing and illegal mining and on 29 May 2025 was sentenced to seven months in prison or a R7,000 fine. He said he spent four days behind bars while arranging payment. “I’m ready to tell the Human Rights Commission everything that happened. They need to know the truth,” he indicated. Amid a death toll of at least 93, the government’s Natjoints police-led operation is accused of effectively trapping illegal miners underground for months without food, water or medicine. At the time, the police presented a united front. But, months later, and with the SAHRC inquiry under way, it seems some police officers might speak out about alleged wrongdoing. Johannes Dire of the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) said that the union was aware of accusations of misconduct within the police. But he opined that the inquiry would likely clear the police of wrongdoing. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nomazulu Moyo at GroundUp Harmony Gold ordered by Labour Court to pay R100,000 in damages for k-word incident GroundUp reports that the Labour Court (LC) has found that Harmony Gold must be held responsible for an employee’s use of the k-word because the company failed to take the necessary steps to address his racist conduct. In 2020, Sephitiphiti Ntshotsho, an underground locomotive driver at Harmony’s Kusasalethu Mine, laid a complaint with Harmony against fellow employee Cornelius van Zyl for calling him the k-word. He also laid criminal charges against Van Zyl. In its disciplinary process against Van Zyl, Harmony conducted polygraph tests to determine whether Ntshotsho was telling the truth. Both Ntshotsho and his main witness failed the test. Van Zyl’s test was inconclusive. Van Zyl was found guilty of hate speech in the criminal case, and sentenced to six months imprisonment or a R5,000 fine. But Ntshotsho learned that Van Zyl had not been disciplined by Harmony and had been transferred to a different operation. Ntshotsho then approached the CCMA), arguing that he had been the victim of unfair discrimination due to Van Zyl’s hate speech and that because Harmony had failed to remedy the situation, it should be held vicariously liable and pay him damages. The CCMA ruled in Ntshotsho’s favour, ordering Harmony Gold to pay him R100,000 in compensation. Harmony then appealed to the LC, arguing that the company had considered Ntshotsho’s allegations to be false because he had failed the polygraph test. Last month, the LC rejected this argument, saying that polygraph tests could not be relied upon as direct evidence and could, at best, be used to corroborate other forms of evidence. The appeal was dismissed with costs and the order by the CCMA was upheld. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ohene Yaw Ampofo-Anti at GroundUp
Consumer inflation in May still below 3% bottom level of target range, but meat and other food much pricier News24 reports that in May for the third month in a row, consumer price index (CPI) inflation at 3% remained below the bottom level of the SA Reserve Bank’s target band. CPI came in at 2.8% for May – unchanged from April. But food prices heated up. In May, food and non-alcoholic beverages were 4.8% more expensive than a year ago – the biggest annual increase in more than a year. Beef was a big contributor, as foot-and-mouth disease, combined with higher feed prices, fuelled price hikes. Annual inflation for meat surged from 3.0% in April to 4.4% in May. Fish prices are also on the rise, with hake 9.1% and fish fingers 6.1% pricier than a year ago. Maize meal (+14%) and samp (21%) were also much more expensive than a year ago. After prices for oils and other fats cooled in recent months, they picked up in May again. Sunflower oil was 7.6% pricier than a year ago and brick margarine 7.9%. Statistics SA noted that vegetable prices were volatile, but that May saw the biggest annual price increase (more than 10%) in 18 months. Much cheaper fuel kept May’s inflation number in check. Petrol prices were 16% and diesel almost 13% lower than a year before. SA diesel and fuel prices are currently on track for small hikes in the first week of July. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Helena Wasserman at News24 (subscription / trial registration required)
Unions at Barloworld push for job retention assurances during Competition Tribunal hearing News24 reports that Competition Tribunal proceedings into the takeover of equipment group Barloworld by a consortium, including its CEO and Saudi Arabia’s Entsha group, on Tuesday heard appeals from the company’s unions for a moratorium on merger-related retrenchments and assurances over consultation rights. The issue of a moratorium was swiftly agreed to by the acquiring consortium, given that the transaction merely represented a change in shareholding for SA’s exclusive caterpillar dealer, not to its operations. The Competition Commission had announced earlier this month that it was recommending a deal by the consortium to take control of Barloworld be approved, with conditions. The tribunal heard arguments from the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa), which is Barloworld’s majority union, as well as the Food and Allied Workers’ Union (FAWU), whose members work at Ingrain. The unions argued for a moratorium on retrenchments, with Numsa saying that this should be for 24 months. Numsa’s Vivani Shezi also pointed out that the parties had only received notification of the ESOP (employee stock ownership plan) scheme on Monday and he requested time for consultation. FAWU, meanwhile, welcomed the ESOP, but argued that a “framework for consultation” should be put in place to ensure that workers were properly engaged. The tribunal gave Numsa had until noon on Thursday to make a further written submission, with the merging parties having until Friday to respond. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Karl Gernetzky at News24 (subscription / trial registration required)
Justice Minister Kubayi announces lifestyle audits to combat corruption in the NPA IOL News reports that Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has confirmed that lifestyle audits will be implemented within the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) during the current financial year. This forms part of a broader intervention to strengthen integrity, improve prosecutorial effectiveness, and address public concerns about corruption and inefficiencies in SA’s criminal justice system. Answering questions in the National Council of Provinces on Tuesday, Kubayi said the audits were vital for accountability. “One of the things that I think is non-negotiable for all individuals across the country, irrespective of their level, is lifestyle audits. Because with lifestyle audits, you can see the pattern, whether a person lives above their means, and whether within the family of that individual there’s inequality or assets or money that can be exchanged,” she explained. Kubayi clarified that recent concerns raised by the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) about infiltration within the NPA were not necessarily systemic but reflected individual misconduct. Kubayi also addressed the workload of prosecutors, disputing claims that they are overwhelmed. She cited international comparisons, noting that in SA District Court prosecutors have an average of 80 outstanding cases, and Regional Court prosecutors have 53. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Hope Ntanzi at IOL News. Lees ook, Batohi verdedig NVG terwyl minister vra vir leefstyloudits, by Maroela Media Other internet posting(s) in this news category
| Hawks face crippling staff shortages amid rising corruption cases IOL News reports that the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) was operating with almost half the personnel provided for in its organogram, divisional commissioner Patrick Mbotho advised on Wednesday. He made the statement when he appeared before the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa). According to Mbotho, the DPCI's staff establishment stood at 2,688, including detectives and support staff. The entity is supposed to have 5,332 personnel. “In this financial year 2025/26, the police management and we agreed that we are going to prioritise 500 posts. The 500 is to be made up of 300 posts to be advertised internally for us to source within police investigators, but the other 200 is reserved for external advertisements for those posts we don’t have capacity internally, such as forensic accountants,” Mbotho reported. He also said they were in the process of capacitating the cybersecurity environment. “We think we can enhance our capacity within cybercrime and forensic accountancy,” he opined. He also said resource issues have significantly impacted them and resulted in a delay in finalising investigations. Mbotho confirmed there was some expertise they did not have. “We have limited forensic accounting. We have to procure that. Our procurement is not the fastest,” he said. Mbotho added that one of the reasons for the long investigations, especially in matters related to the defence force, was the time it took for declassification of information. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mayibongwe Maqhina at IOL News
Sadtu suspends work-to-rule protest in KZN as education department pledges to make outstanding payments The Mercury reports that the SA Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) has suspended its province-wide work-to-rule campaign following a meeting with the Department of Education (DOE) earlier this week. The DOE committed to paying outstanding school allocations and resolving examination disruptions. Sadtu said the meeting with Head of Department, GN Ngcobo and his top management followed engagements with the Premier, who pledged R900 million in emergency funding to address the ongoing education crisis. According to the union, the DOE committed to making payments to schools by 4 July and 31 July. In addition, Sadtu confirmed that the DOE would address the backlog in 2024 basic and Learning and Teaching Support Material allocations as it received its equitable share from the National Treasury. The union also welcomed the revised mid-year examination timetable, which resumes on June 18. “Schools that do not have the necessary resources to administer the June examination will be assisted by the department through printing enough examination papers for all affected schools,” Sadtu advised, adding that it supported the revised schedule. However, Sadtu criticised the DOE’s policy on compulsory common tests for underperforming schools. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Siphesihle Buthelezi at The Mercury Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Train collides with minibus taxi at level crossing in Philippi in Cape Town, leading to temporary closure of Central Line News24 reports that a train collided with a stalled taxi at a Philippi rail crossing on Wednesday morning, disrupting Central Line services in Cape Town. No injuries were reported, but passengers were forced to find alternative transport into Cape Town. The incident occurred just before 08h00. The Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Perasa) reported that the taxi driver ignored warning signals before crossing the tracks. According to the train crew, the driver sounded a warning horn as the vehicle approached the level crossing. Despite this, the vehicle tried to cross the tracks and was hit. As a result, trains on the Central Line were temporarily turned back at Nyanga station. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Velani Ludidi at News24 (subscription / trial registration required). Read too, Train operations resume on central line following crash near Philippi station, at EWN Other internet posting(s) in this news category
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