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 Thursday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South
African labour-related reports.
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Lesufi initiates process to axe three HODs declared 'high risk' by SIU after failed lifestyle audit TimesLIVE Premium reports that Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi is to axe three provincial department heads who have failed a series of lifestyle audits and were declared high risk by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU). He initiated the process after the officials failed two rounds of lifestyle audits undertaken by the SIU. The HODs were notified by the SIU by e-mail, copies of which were sent to Lesufi, that probes into their lifestyles had raised red flags that could not be ignored. Lesufi advised that he has consequentially instructed his office's director-general to immediately start the legal process of firing the HODs, but said he would not reveal who those department heads were until the process had been concluded. “The SIU reports indicate that the three are high-risk and I have no choice but to act. So I've taken a decision that the DG manages the paperwork on the action that needs to be taken,” Lesufi indicated. It was reported last month that Lesufi was expected to axe a “significant” number of provincial heads and the action was imminent. Lesufi was believed to have been contemplating removing several provincial heads for a number of transgressions, including failing lifestyle audits and not meeting targets. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Kgothatso Madisa at TimesLIVE Premium (subscriber access only). See too, Lesufi removes three HODs who failed lifestyle audits, at SowetanLive
Ghost workers, fraud and lost millions revealed in 47 forensic reports unveiled by Lesufi City Press reports that in a push for transparency and clean governance, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi on Wednesday released 47 explosive forensic investigation reports. The reports, some dating back as far as 2016, detailed a litany of corruption, irregular expenditure, ghost employees and criminal conduct across government departments. Lesufi told reporters: “These reports were never hidden in the premier’s office. They were with the departments at various stages of processing. Today, we fulfil our promise to release them when appropriate, now that the disciplinary and court processes have concluded.” The reports form part of a broader pool of 177 investigations, with the remainder to be released once finalised. The investigations implicate officials across 12 departments, with health and social development topping the list. Significant findings include irregular procurement, misuse of state funds, unfair labour practices, and even assault and death threats in the workplace. The reports recommend disciplinary action and criminal referrals; recovery of stolen funds; civil litigation; and blacklisting of rogue service providers. According to Lesufi, R3.4 million was lost to financial misconduct in the last quarter alone, but nearly 60% has been recovered. “We are seeing results. Eighty-eight individuals have been held accountable and 55 criminal cases are now with law enforcement [agencies],” he reported. Lesufi emphasised that his office would continue tracking implementation and that, along with the Gauteng audit committee and the asset forfeiture unit, “will ensure not only consequences but also recoveries.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Yamkeleka Manjeya at City Press (subscription / trial registration required) Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Ramaphosa pledges to cut cost of national dialogue following public backlash over R700m price tag TimesLIVE reports that President Cyril Ramaphosa has assured Parliament the government would drive down the cost of the forthcoming national dialogue, after a public backlash over the estimated R700m price tag. He told the National Council of Provinces on Wednesday that people had fixated on the cost of the dialogue. Earlier this month, Ramaphosa announced the national dialogue would be convened in August with eminent people from different groups expected to lead discussions. After the announcement of the date for the national dialogue, it emerged that the engagement would cost the country R700m. This led to some parties, including the EFF, taking issue with the government’s decision to convene the dialogue. Ramaphosa said the cost was an estimate and added: “We are going to make sure that it is driven down. It is just an estimate. We are going to make sure that we spend as little as possible, but at the same time, have as much consultation as possible so that the process itself must be enriched, while we don’t impoverish the people of SA through spending too much money on that whole process.” He pointed out the country had in the past forged social compacts and moved SA forward. Ramaphosa pointed out that the country was experiencing huge problems, including unemployment, inequality and poverty. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lizeka Tandwa at BusinessLive
Nehawu to take battle to ‘enemy’ Sadtu by organising in education sector Sunday World reports that the friction between the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) and the SA Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) is set to deepen after the former resolved that it would now organise in the territory of the latter despite the two unions belonging to the same labour federation. This intention was made public by Siyanda Zungu, chairperson of Nehawu in KwaZulu-Natal, when he addressed members of the union in Durban on Wednesday at an ongoing provincial congress. Introducing the topic, Zungu asked members who their enemy was in the revolution. The floor unanimously said “Sadtu” and burst into laughter. Zungu claimed ever since Nehawu was formed in 1987, the education sector was one of its terrains to organise, even though Sadtu later encroached on it. Zungu gave a long history of the friction between the two unions, both of which are affiliated to Cosatu, which is an alliance partner of the ANC. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sihle Mavuso at Sunday World
Minerals Council pays respects to late Barry Davison Mining Weekly reports that the Minerals Council SA (previously called the Chamber of Mines) has extended its condolences to the family and friends of Barry Davison, its former president and a key figure in SA’s mining history. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to Barry’s family and friends, and we similarly mourn the loss of a man who was a true leader and played a vital role in the leadership of the mining industry at a volatile time of sweeping new regulations more than two decades ago,” says Minerals Council CEO Mzila Mthenjane. Davison, who passed away recently, was a long-standing council member and president of the then-Chamber of Mines in 2002 and 2003, at a time when the new Mineral Resources Development Act was a Bill and the mining industry was advocating a legislative and regulatory environment conducive to allowing the sector to conduct its operations at an optimal level of success. He was a key negotiator in the talks between the Chamber of Mines and the government on these matters. Davison, who was executive chairperson of Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) at the time, supported transformation of the mining industry as political and economic objectives so that more people could be involved in the economy. Davison served in leadership positions in Amplats and Anglo American and he served as a director in listed companies including Nedbank, Kumba Iron Ore, Samancor and Tongaat Hulett. He was an independent nonexecutive director at Sibanye-Stillwater. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Mining Weekly Other labour / community posting(s) relating to mining
Other general posting(s) relating to mining
Small drop in June in food basket cost, but many households still feel the pinch The Witness reports that in June the average monthly food basket decreased by R23.46 (-0,4%), from R5,466.59 in May 2025 to R5,443.12 in June 2025. But according to Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity, the average annual cost of the food basket increased by R190.36, from R5,252.77 in June 2024 to R5,443.12 in June 2025. Of the 44 foods tracked in the basket, 19 foods increased in price in June, and 25 foods decreased in price. Onions and beef increased in June by more than 5%. Other foods that went up by 2% or more included white sugar, stock cubes, chicken gizzards, chicken livers , beef liver, wors, carrots and tinned pilchards. But on the plus side, several foods in the basket decreased in price by more than 5% in June 2025, including potatoes, butternut, green pepper, and bananas. The foods in the basket that decreased by 2% or more included rice, sugar beans, curry powder, full cream milk, fish, cremora, polony, and brown bread (-3%). Residents in Johannesburg, Pietermaritzburg, and Mtubatuba felt the pinch the most with the food basket in these areas increasing in price. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Akheel Sewsunker at The Witness
Take-home pay fell in May for third month amid muted economic growth BL Premium reports that average nominal take-home pay dropped slightly in May but remained higher than a year ago, amid global shocks that have led to a pause in investment decisions and low confidence levels among investors and households. According to the latest BankservAfrica Take-home Pay Index (BTPI), nominal average take-home pay declined to R17,296 in May 2025, namely 1.3% lower than April’s R17,532 but still notably above the R15,903 level a year earlier. The BTPI tracks salary payments to about 3.8-million employees in SA’s formal economy. The payments clearing house commented: “Downward revisions to both global and local economic growth prospects are the order of the day and are fuelling low confidence levels and a pause on investment decisions. These outcomes are detrimental to economic activity, as investors and households hold back on spending decisions until more clarity is forthcoming. This could have a negative impact on employment and earnings prospects of salary earners in SA in coming months.” Independent economist Elize Kruger pointed out that, adjusted for inflation, real take-home dropped by 1.1% month-on-month to R14,832 in May 2025, compared to R15,003 in April, but was still 5.8% up on levels a year ago. International oil price spikes due to Middle East conflict could lead to higher consumer inflation, which could potentially reach 5% by year-end and average 3.6% for 2025. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Thando Maeko at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
Mercedes-Benz SA appoints HR executive Abey Kgotle as co-CEO BusinessLive reports that Mercedes-Benz SA (MBSA) has announced Abey Kgotle as the new co-CEO to Claudius Steinhoff, with effect from 1 December 2025. Kgotle currently serves as the executive director of human resources and corporate affairs at MBSA. He replaces Andreas Brand, who tended his resignation to assume a an executive new role, based in Stuttgart, Germany, effective from 30 November. Kgotle has experience across the private and public sectors spanning more than 20 years. He has held executive roles at several blue-chip companies across the mining and manufacturing industries including Lonmin, GrafTech SA, and Samancor Manganese. He also held senior HR managerial roles in local government at the City of Johannesburg and Naschem, a division of state-owned enterprise Denel. Kgotle previously served on the boards of Daimler Trucks and Buses SA and Mercedes-Benz financial services as chair and director, respectively. Kgotle also currently serves as chair of the Automobile Employers Organisation (AMEO) representing SA’s original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Read the full original of the report in the above regard at BusinessLive
KZN advertises just 20 posts for unemployed doctors TimesLIVE reports that the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) government will advertise 20 posts within the next week to address the growing unemployment crisis among healthcare professionals in the province. Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane announced this while speaking on Wednesday to unemployed doctors who had been staging a sit-in outside the KZN premier’s office in Pietermaritzburg since Monday. The protesters gathered to express frustrations over the delay in advertising doctors’ posts in the province despite promises earlier this year by the national government to fund new positions. In April, health minister Aaron Motsoaledi announced the department had budgeted R1.78bn for 1,200 posts for doctors, 200 nurses’ positions and 250 other vacancies. Finance minister Enoch Godongwana had made provisions for 800 unemployed doctors during his budget speech in March, before that budget was rejected. Addressing the unemployed doctors on Wednesday, Premier Thami Ntuli explained that problems with budget processes at national level were the main reason for the delay in employing them and called for patience until the processes were concluded. Simelane stated: “We want to make it clear those 800 posts form part of a national process, which is being handled at the level of the ministers of health, finance and parliament. KwaZulu-Natal, like all other provinces, will receive a portion of those posts. Once national has finalised that process and informed us how many posts we will receive, we will immediately advertise them.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lwazi Hlangu at BusinessLive
Godongwana orders inquiry into PIC’s R170bn unlisted investments BL Premium reports that Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has commissioned an investigation into controversial investments in the unlisted portfolio of the Public Investment Corporation (PIC), which are said to be valued at about R170bn. He noted that investments in unlisted companies tended to be more problematic than listed ones and would be examined. The report of the investigation is expected in the next few months and Godongwana said he would decide what action to take on the basis of the report. The inquiry will also look at the PIC’s involvement in poultry company Daybreak Foods, which is in business rescue. The asset manager took over the company after it defaulted on its loan. The Minister met the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) and PIC this week to discuss the situation and the course of action he should take. The probe will moreover consider the report of the Mpati commission of inquiry into the PIC, which has total assets under management of more than R3-trillion. The PIC manages the investments of the GEPF and a number of other state funds. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Linda Ensor at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
Suspension threatens to severely damage RAF boss' integrity, lawyer argues Cape Times reports that lawyers representing suspended Road Accident Fund (RAF) chief executive Collins Letsoalo have argued that their client’s reputation and integrity was at stake if his application to be reinstated in his position was not taken as urgent. His advocate, Pule Moshoadiba SC, told the North Gauteng High Court that Letsoalo would not be afforded substantial redress at a hearing in due course, as his contract of employment was expiring on 6 August. “Beyond this date, the applicant would not have an opportunity to clear his name and exercise his right to challenge the lawfulness of his suspension. This means that the reputation and integrity of the applicant would remain severely dented because of the suspension, which is automatically coming to an end on August 6,” Moshoadiba indicated. He told Judge Nasious Moshoana that this was not one of those cases wherein there was a pending disciplinary hearing on the horizon. “The respondents (the RAF and its board) are clearly kicking the can down the road and hoping that come August 6, the suspension comes to an end by operation of the law when the contract expires,” he claimed. Letsoalo is seeking an order declaring that the RAF Board’s decision to suspend him earlier this month was unlawful, irrational, and unreasonable. He was suspended as CEO on 3 June based on the suspicion that he refused to attend a SCOPA meeting on 27 May. But his advocate pointed out that he had already been placed on special leave at the time. Judgment was reserved. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Zelda Venter at Cape Times. Read too, Suspension places my life in danger, RAF boss Collins Letsoalo tells court, at TimesLIVE Premium (subscriber access only)
Police officers protest against rape and sexual harassment in their ranks GroundUp reports that about 500 police officers marched in Pretoria on Tuesday to protest against sexual abuse within their ranks. The march was under the banner of the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru), supported by Cosatu and the Democratic Nursing Organisation of SA (Denosa). The protestors marched to the office of the National Commissioner of Police, where they delivered a memorandum to demand that senior officers found guilty of sexual offences be suspended. The memo called for urgent investigations into sexual abuse and harassment cases by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate and strict vetting of senior officers and college administrators. The protest followed an incident in March at the Tshwane Training College in which an instructor allegedly threatened a trainee with disciplinary action if she did not have sex with him. He was arrested and appeared at Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on 23 May when he was granted R8,000 bail. Popcru first deputy president Mosadiwamaje Veronica Mokokong said the union had received anonymous calls from trainees and police officers alleging sexual harassment and rape. “They are afraid to open cases. Thanks God this student was bold enough to open a case,” she stated. According to Cosatu’s Solly Phetoe, perpetrators of sexual offence remained on duty. “Those who are implicated must be suspended with immediate effect,” he said. Acting Deputy National Police Commissioner Lineo Nkhuoa accepted the memo and promised to respond in 14 days. She said in the past five years there had been 43 dismissals for rape. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Silver Sibiya at GroundUp
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