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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Retrenchments on the cards for workers at Denel, says CEO The Citizen reports that employees at state arms company Denel could be retrenched as part of the company’s latest turnaround strategy. Denel CEO Tsepo Monaheng appeared before MPs on Friday to present his plans to save the ailing company. “We are looking at restructuring the business so that we get cash into the business and one of those areas is to make sure that we go through the Section 189s and have the right people in the business,” Monaheng indicated. Despite Denel’s ongoing battles with unions over wages, Monaheng said the company was forced to prioritise paying off its debt, some of which goes back as far back as 2019. “Denel still has a lot of debt – even when we make money the creditors take the money and the banks want their money so it makes it difficult for us to execute our turnaround strategy,” Monaheng explained. He said the company had even considered selling some of its non-core assets to replenish its cash reserves. Monaheng blamed the Covid pandemic and internal problems for its poor performance over the years. He also pointed out that staffing problems in senior management positions had made accountability difficult. Last week workers at the company affiliated to the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) protested outside the company’s offices in Pretoria over the implementation of a past wage agreement. They were demanding a 7% salary increase. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Itumeleng Mafisa at The Citizen. Read too, Denel returns to profitability in early turnaround, at BusinessLive (subscriber access only). And also, Denel says it’s starting to reap the rewards of its turnaround efforts, at EWN Denel task team to meet this week over Numsa’s above-inflation wage demand BL Premium reports that a task team comprising Denel management, the board of the state-owned manufacturer and labour representatives is set to meet on Friday to look at a union demand for an above-inflation wage increase. This after Denel and officials from the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) met in Centurion on Wednesday regarding the implementation of a 7% wage increase. According to Numsa’s Jerry Morulane, earlier this year that Denel executives approved a 7% wage increase and communicated that decision to employees. “However, the board intervened and reversed the decision, and they unilaterally implemented a 4% increase for the 2025/26 financial year instead. Numsa members have rejected the 4% proposal because the last time workers received an increase was in 2019,” Morulane indicated. He said Denel acting board chair Gloria Serobe explained at Wednesday meeting’s that the arms manufacturer could not afford to implement the 7% wage increase as it would be “unsustainable in the long term”. She said the entity could afford to implement a 4% increase. “After extensive negotiations, it was agreed by all parties that a task-team or ‘war room’ would be established to find a sustainable way to fund the increase. The task team has been established to look at the practicality of the successful implementation of the corporate plan, which will in turn assist in funding the increase demanded by workers. The task team will meet on June 27 to map a way forward,” Morulane reported. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinessLive (subscriber access only) Solidarity welcomes resignation of Denel’s chairperson and calls for meaningful board reform Maroela Media reports that Solidarity has welcomed the resignation of Denel’s board chairperson, Gloria Serobe, which was announced on Friday by the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga, during a meeting of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence. As a result of Serone’s resignation, the board’s term has also ended. According to the trade union, the resignation followed a meeting held last week between Solidarity, other recognised trade unions, and Denel leadership. At the meeting, Solidarity strongly criticised Denel’s continued failure to turn the company around, called for the chairperson’s resignation and emphasised that it was time for a new board to be appointed. “For too long, workers have paid the price for Denel’s institutional failure – its inability to pay salaries and implement increases, all while claiming to have turned a corner. Denel needs more than stability; it needs execution,” said Derek Mans, network coordinator for Solidarity’s aviation and defence sector. Solidarity said it viewed the resignation of the board chairperson as an opportunity for meaningful reform. As the union made clear in its Denel dossier, released as far back as April 2018, years of mismanagement and state capture have hollowed out the organisation’s capabilities. Recent SIU findings confirmed the extent of this devastation and underscored the urgent need for ethical and competent leadership at Denel. Solidarity has now called for the appointment of a strong, reconstituted Denel board. Read the full original of the Afrikaans report in the above regard at Maroela Media
Two SANDF soldiers stabbed to death by colleague during altercation at Mpumalanga base The Citizen reports that two SA National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers were stabbed to death in the early hours of Saturday morning by one of their colleagues at the Macadamia military base near Komatipoort in Mpumalanga. SANDF spokesperson Prince Tshabalala advised: “Preliminary information indicates that a tragic altercation involving SANDF members resulted in the deaths of two soldiers. It is alleged that one of the members fatally stabbed two of his colleagues.” Reportedly, the attacker then unsuccessfully tried to take his own life. Tshabalala said the SANDF and the police were investigating the incident and further details would be communicated once officially verified. The SANDF expressed its deepest condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the deceased members and added: “This is a deeply painful moment for the organisation and the military community at large.” Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Gareth Cotterell at The Citizen. Lees ook, Twee dood ná stryery by weermagbasis, by Maroela Media Safety concerns lead to delivery drivers avoiding high-crime areas in Durban Sunday Tribune reports that drivers of ride-hailing, food and on-line shopping delivery services fear for their safety and choose to not operate in certain areas around Durban. Last week, a man from Montford in Chatsworth was shot and killed whilst delivering food on Crossmoor Drive in Chatsworth. Claude Subramodey of Amawele Emergency Services reported: "Medics arrived on scene to find a man in his 50s lying on the pavement with gunshot wounds. Sadly the male succumbed to his injuries before medics could arrive." Chatsworth police are investigating a case of murder and robbery. Zain Kassim, Crossmoor Community Police Forum chairperson, said the victim was shouting for the residents to open when he was accosted by two armed men who shot him, stole his cellphone and fled towards the nearby transit camp. "Crossmoor Drive has become very dangerous. As a result there are no delivery services willing to make deliveries in that vicinity. This Uber driver was doing the delivery for someone. These guys saw an opportunity when he stopped at the gate," said Kassim. Prem Balram of Reaction Unit SA indicated: "There are certain areas within Phoenix, Verulam, and oThongathi where Uber drivers are considered high risk and no-go areas. As a result people are left stranded for transport. The Uber Eats drivers get robbed of the food that they are delivering." Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Taschica Pillay at Sunday Tribune Walter Sisulu University deputy VC’s fatal shooting was a ‘hit’, police commissioner reveals News24 reports that national police commissioner General Fannie Masemola revealed on Friday that the fatal shooting of Walter Sisulu University (WSU) Deputy Vice-Chancellor Sinethemba Mpambane appeared to be a ‘hit’ rather than a robbery. Mpambane died in a hail of bullets inside his car outside the university’s Enkululekweni facility in Mthatha on Thursday evening. He had only been in his position, which focused on institutional support and development, since February. Masemola visited Mthatha on Friday evening to receive a briefing from senior police officials regarding the murder. He advised that amid concern over recurring violence at the university, a multi-disciplinary investigation team had been established to probe the shooting. Masemola said it was highly unlikely that the motive was robbery. “It does not look like they (assailants) took anything. His laptop, cash and cellphones were found in the car. We are investigating all possible angles,” he indicated. Asked about the amount of money found in Mpambane’s car, Masemola said: “We found R27,000 in cash in the car. The investigation will determine why he was carrying that amount.” In a statement, the university said it was “deeply shaken” by the fatal shooting. Previously on 15 April, Bachelor of Education student Sisonke Mbolekwa was shot and killed inside the Mthatha campus, allegedly by residence manager Manelisi Mampane, who was later arrested. Mampane is out on R10,000 bail. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sithandiwe Velaphi at News24 (subscription / trial registration required). Read too, R27k in cash found in Walter Sisulu University deputy vice-chancellor’s car after fatal shooting, at The Citizen. En ook, Geld, selfone nog by adjunk-viserektor ná skietery, by Maroela Media Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Fedusa defends Transnet wage deal against Business Leadership SA’s criticism The Mercury reports that the Federation of Unions of SA (Fedusa) has condemned what it called a “reckless and dishonest attack” by Business Leadership SA (BLSA) on the recent Transnet wage agreement. It said business elites were attempting to scapegoat workers for deep-rooted failures within the state-owned logistics company. Fedusa was responding to BLSA chairperson Busisiwe Mavuso’s comments that labelled the wage settlement as a “leadership failure.” The agreement, reached between Transnet, the United National Transport Union (Untu) and the SA Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu), provides for an annual 6% increase over three years, totalling an 18% rise in wages. “BLSA's characterisation of the hard-won wage settlement as a ‘leadership failure’ is not only absurd, but also a direct attack on the constitutional rights of workers to organise, bargain collectively, and demand just and equitable treatment from employers,” Fedusa said in a statement on Saturday. The union federation defended the wage hike, saying it was secured through legal processes, with no strike action, and offered both “fiscal restraint and a measure of justice.” According to Fedusa, Transnet workers “rejected below-inflation offers that would have entrenched poverty wages and job insecurity.” Transnet noted that the agreement was reached after conciliation at the CCMA and commented further: “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.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Siphesihle Buthelezi at The Mercury
NUM deputy president Vilakazi takes on boss Dan Balepile for top post at this week’s elective conference Sunday World reports that National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) president Dan Balepile is waging a battle against his deputy, who wants to unseat him from the top position. The battle comes as the mine and construction workers’ union prepares to head into a national elective conference scheduled for 24 to 26 June when Balepile is expected to face off against his deputy, Phillip Vilakazi. The position of deputy president will also be contested, but not the general secretary and treasury positions, which are held by Mpho Phakedi and Helen Diatile, respectively. Last week it was reported that the NUM national executive recently had lifted the suspension of a high-ranking Mpumalanga official implicated in the missing R11-million of union funds. Mining firm Seriti Coal had mistakenly deposited the funds into the branch bank account instead of the national one. The union also disbanded an internal team it had appointed to investigate the missing millions. The money was supposed to be used to fund the training of members only, however a source alleged that the money was used instead to pay bogus service providers. On Friday, Balepile released a statement in which he slammed the news report, but said: “The matter cited in the press is being handled with the gravity it deserves. We have unanimously mandated an independent forensic investigation in line with our constitution and internal accountability mechanisms. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mpho Sibanyoni at Sunday World Other labour / community posting(s) relating to mining
Solidarity challenges Black Business Council to prove BEE report wrong Maroela Media reports that researchers from the Solidarity Research Institute (SRI) have issued a challenge to the Black Business Council following the latter’s criticism of a recently released report on the costs of compliance with black economic empowerment (BEE). The report by the SNI and the Free Market Foundation was released last week. Commenting on the report, the Black Business Council’s Elias Monage told Business Day that the report’s authors were “talking rubbish” and that the findings were “not backed by evidence”. Theuns du Buisson, economic researcher at SRI and co-author of the report, reacted: “If the Black Business Council wants to dismiss the report as ‘garbage’, it should at least be able to prove the opposite. Yet not a single expert or organisation has provided any evidence that our report or figures are unreliable or inaccurate.” He went on to indicate: “We show how BEE is so bad for South Africa that it is sabotaging the future of millions, and it certainly cannot be tolerated any longer. This is no small matter, and that is why we challenge critics like these to come up with their own findings. If they cannot, then they must be prepared to openly acknowledge the extent of the problem.” According to the report’s calculations, BEE has reduced economic growth in SA by 3% annually. This compliance is said to have cost the SA economy approximately R5,000 billion since 2007 and has led to the loss of roughly 3.8 million jobs. Solidarity’s view is that the only sustainable form of empowerment is economic growth. Read the full original of the Afrikaans report in the above regard at Maroela Media
KZN logistics company owner, at least 20 drivers arrested in raid on undocumented foreigners TimesLIVE reports that KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) premier Thami Ntuli has vowed to continue a clampdown on businesses that flout labour laws by employing undocumented foreigners. He was speaking after a raid on Friday morning at Westmead Mining, a Durban-based logistics company where law enforcement officials arrested at least 20 workers without documentation. The visit followed an outcry from local drivers who complained that undocumented workers accepted lower wages. An informer put the number of truck drivers working at the company at 85. The owner was also arrested. On Wednesday a similar operation was conducted in Hammarsdale, where 100 illegal foreign nationals were arrested, while 20 were arrested in Chatsworth on Thursday. Last month provincial police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi together with the departments of labour and home affairs officials raided a KwaDukuza textile factory said to be employing more than 300 undocumented workers. “There 179 were arrested and it was later discovered 158 did not have the permits to be in the country,” Ntuli reported. The owner of the factory was arrested and charged for violating immigration and labour laws. The company, which has been in operation for more than 25 years, was a supplier to reputable retail clothing outlets. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mfundo Mkhize at TimesLIVE. Read too, Durban company owner arrested along with allegedly undocumented foreign truck driver staff, at News24 Other internet posting(s) in this news category
SAPS issues warning over fake police trainee advert Saturday Star reports that the SA Police Service (SAPS) has issued a warning to the public about the circulation of a fake advertisement concerning police trainee recruitment. According to a statement on official SAPS social media platforms, the advertisement falsely claims that the police are currently accepting applications for the Basic Police Development Learning Programme (BPDLP). SAPS confirmed that no trainee intake was currently open. “This is a fraudulent advertisement, and we urge members of the public not to fall victim to such scams,” the statement reads. SAPS reminded job seekers that all legitimate recruitment notices and application forms were published exclusively on the SAPS careers page https://saps.gov.za/careers/careers.php. The public was further advised to rely only on official verified SAPS social media accounts for accurate and up-to-date information. Read the original of the short report in the above regard at Saturday Star
Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane's Seta woes deepen Sunday Times reports that President Cyril Ramaphosa is facing mounting pressure to dismiss Department of Higher Education (DHE) Minister Nobuhle Nkabane amid the row over her apparent lies to parliament and new disclosures that she turned a blind eye to corruption at the Construction Sector Education & Training Authority (Ceta). Already in hot water for allegedly misleading MPs about an “independent panel” she claimed had approved politically connected names for the chairs of boards of sector education & training authorities (Setas), Nkabane faced fresh questions last week over her apparent failure to act on charges of corruption at Ceta. A source close to Ramaphosa said if parliament were to find that Nkabane had lied to MPs, he would fire her. Meantime, since July last year Nkabane has apparently been sitting on evidence of alleged tender irregularities and rigging of board appointments at Ceta. According to whistleblower Tumiso Mphuthi, senior manager in supply chain management (SCM) at Ceta – who was suspended two years ago – Nkabane’s ministry ignored her efforts to expose wrongdoing. Before her suspension Mphuthi accused the Ceta CEO, Malusi Shezi, of tender rigging. She took her allegations to the Ceta board, Nkabane’s office, parliament’s portfolio committee on higher education & training and the public protector – but none of them has initiated an investigation. The allegations included that tenders were awarded to service providers that never submitted bids, and that Shezi intervened in procurement transactions involving millions of rands. Upon her suspension, Mphuthi was hit with 20 charges related to protected disclosures she had made in 2019. When she continued to make waves, she was hit with a further 43 charges. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Kgothatso Madisa, Sabelo Skiti & Thabo Mokone at Sunday Times (subscriber access only) Other internet posting(s) in this news category
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