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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Troops back from DRC accuse SANDF of shortchanging them Sunday Times reports that fresh from their disastrous deployment in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), some soldiers have turned their anger on their own top brass over a pay dispute, saying they are owed at least R600,000 each. According to one of the aggrieved soldiers, he and his comrades should have been paid R100,000 a month during their 15-month deployment as part of a Southern African Development Community (Sadc) force in the eastern DRC, but had received only R58,000. The dispute is over allowances from Sadc that the soldiers say they did not receive in full. Sadc paid the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) $49m (R876m) to contribute troops to the force. The SA contingent numbered 2,428 at peak deployment. According to a military source, high-ranking officers, doing a presentation last Thursday on battlefield allowances to some of the troops in Bloemfontein, were drowned out by disgruntled soldiers singing “The money was stolen”. But the SANDF’s head of communications, Admiral Prince Tshabalala, who attended the event, said “there was no toyi-toying or protest”. He claimed: “The event remained peaceful and orderly. Members sang traditional and morale-boosting songs. Such expressions are customary during military movements and should not be misconstrued as demonstrations or acts of defiance.” A video shows a different story. Tshabalala declined to disclose the breakdown of what soldiers earned, citing confidentiality. But Pikkie Greeff, Sandu national secretary, said the troops had given more than a year of “honourable service” but the allowances to which they were entitled had not been fully paid. “The withholding of these allowances is unlawful under South African law,” Greeff pointed out. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Hendrik Hancke at Sunday Times (subscriber access only) SANDF meets with military union Sandu over unpaid allowances for DRC deployment TimesLIVE reports that the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) has held an urgent meeting with the SA National Defence Union (Sandu) after the union’s public outcry over unpaid allowances for troops deployed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The meeting came after the union issued a statement and circulated a video on its social media platforms regarding outstanding allowances related to the SAMIDRC deployment under Operation Thiba as part of the Sadc Mission in the DRC. Soldiers have reportedly turned their anger on their own top brass over a pay dispute, saying they are owed at least R600,000 each. The SANDF expressed concern that Sandu had released the statement without first following the established process of direct engagement with it. SANDF spokesperson Rear-Admiral Prince Tshabalala Tshabalala said the meeting focused on clarifying the status of outstanding allowances and emphasising the importance of effective and respectful communication between the SANDF and recognised unions, in line with the Bargaining Council framework. Tshabalala said both parties committed to continued engagement to resolve the outstanding issues. He added that a follow-up meeting would be scheduled. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Shonisani Tshikalange at TimesLIVE
Teen dies in construction collapse in Brakpan on Saturday EWN reports that authorities are investigating the death of a teenager who was found beneath rubble in Brakpan, Ekurhuleni. Metro emergency services confirmed the 19-year-old was declared dead at the scene on Saturday. Apparently, the teen had been hired to assist with the demolition of a building. EMS spokesperson Eric Maloka said the case had been handed to the SA Police Service (SAPS) for further investigation. He reported further: "Gauteng Medical Services declared him at the scene due to the severity of his injuries. It is believed that the teenager was working as a contractor tasked with demolishing an outside room when a wall collapsed on him. Firefighters immediately began a rescue operation to recover his body from the driveways. No other injuries were reported at the site." Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Ntokozo Khumalo at EWN City Power suspends services to Mayibuye community after technicians held hostage EWN reports that Johannesburg City Power has suspended its response to the Mayibuye community due to safety concerns. The power utility said this was because its technicians, who were recently dispatched to conduct maintenance work in the area, were held hostage. Following this incident, City Power said they could not go into the area until they could be guaranteed safety. City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena explained that they would not sacrifice the safety of their staff. “City Power is aware of an unplanned power outage in Mayibuye, resulting from network overloading, which is a challenge that continues to plague the area due to widespread illegal connections and tampering with electricity meters,” he also noted. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Ntokozo Khumalo at EWN. Read too, City Power suspends restoration in Mayibuye after technicians held hostage, at The Citizen Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Negotiations between Prasa and Satawu collapse as union rejects 5.5% wage increase EWN reports that negotiations between the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) and the SA Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) have collapsed once again, after the union rejected a 5.5% wage increase offer. According to the union, Prasa’s latest offer failed to include key employee benefits. The union’s demands include a 15% salary increase, a R3,000 housing allowance, a night shift allowance, 70% medical aid subsidy, a non-retrenchment provision, a train driver trainee allowance and bonuses. The union said that the employer failed to commit to a non-retrenchment clause, “which is one of the most important demands on our list.” It explained further: "We are not going to sign any agreement that does not include job security. If we are going to sign for that, we are prepared to. Why is it difficult for Prasa to sign this particular clause if they have no intention to retrench? The country is facing a high rate of unemployment. Millions in the country are unemployed." Satawu said it would keep its members and members of the media updated about its consultative process. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Alpha Ramushwana at EWN. Read Satawu’s press statement on Facebook
Mantashe and his family receive threats over allegations by Zakhele Zuma about theft of R40m from ERPM miners Sunday World reports that Minister of Minerals and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe fears for his and his family’s safety after receiving threats from people who believe allegations made by self-proclaimed mining rights activist Zakhele Zuma that he stole R40-million from ERPM mineworkers. Mantashe revealed this in an urgent application filed in the Johannesburg High Court for an order to interdict Zuma from making such allegations against him. “I feel threatened by the people who believe the lies that Mr Zuma is propagating, as they will believe that I took their money. These statements are intended to mean, and were understood by those who heard them or read them to mean, that I received R40,000,000, which belongs to the miners, and I kept it for myself. Not only are these allegations false, but they also expose me and my family to danger because I live adjacent to mining communities, and I interact with them all the time. As a minister of one of the most important departments, these spurious and defamatory allegations have created a bad atmosphere and a level of distrust among officials and the stakeholders,” he stated. Mantashe also said he was being abused and subjected to hateful remarks and that his family was seen as the beneficiaries of ill-gotten money. Mantashe added that due to the sensitivity of the office that he held, Zuma’s statements created unnecessary panic among investors and other stakeholders. Mantashe has also laid a criminal charge of crimen injuria against Zuma. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ngwako Malatji at Sunday World Other general posting(s) relating to mining
Unemployed KZN doctors demand jobs as public hospitals face critical staff shortage News24 reports that unemployed doctors have demanded that the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) premier’s office and the provincial health department advertise posts and alleviate strain on the system. More than 100 doctors staged a sit-in at the department’s offices in Pietermaritzburg last week, demanding to meet with MEC Nomagugu Simelane. The medical practitioners said they were frustrated because they were sitting at home after studying for years. One of the protestors, Dr Thami Zakwe, said the province needed to fast-track appointments after Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi announced that R1.780 billion had been approved for the allocation of new staff. In April, Motsoaledi announced that 1,200 vacancies for doctors, 200 for nurses, and 250 for other health professionals had been approved for advertising. He questioned why the provincial department had failed to advertise vacancies since the announcement in contrast to other provinces. “We have a massive challenge because we can’t get employed in other provinces. Other provinces advertise posts, but they would rather hire someone who is from that province, while we can’t find employment in our own province,” Zakwe noted. Another protestor, Dr Ayanda Mkhwanazi added that it was frustrating to sit at home unemployed, particularly as “we know as a fact that public healthcare facilities are facing a dire shortage of doctors.” Reacting to the picket, Simelane announced that 20 posts would be advertised within a week. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sithandiwe Velaphi & Tankiso Makhetha at News24 (subscription / trial registration required). Lees ook, Meer as 150 dokters sonder werk in KZN, by Maroela Media Free State medical doctors who trained in Cuba face unemployment in crisis over posts Daily Maverick reports that more than 20 young doctors from the Free State who received training in Cuba through the Nelson Mandela-Fidel Castro (NMFC) Bursary programme, funded by the provincial health department, have been unable to find work in the public health sector due to a lack of posts. Across SA provincial health departments provide funding for individuals from their respective regions to study medicine through the NMFC Bursary programme. Upon returning from Cuba and completing their internship, beneficiaries are required to serve their local government in the health sector for the number of years for which they were funded. The cohort of about 24 NMFC Bursary beneficiaries, who have completed their community service, sent a memorandum of demands to the Free State premier and MEC for health in January, pushing for immediate appointments in local health facilities. In a letter in response, Masechaba Sesing, head of the Free State health department, indicated. “Should the department not be in a position to offer employment within three months from date of completion, the bursary holder is released from the bursary obligation.” However, a NMFC beneficiary claimed that the three-month limit on the state’s obligation to employ post-community service bursary holders was a new development, not featured in beneficiaries’ original contracts. In a second letter in March from the NMFC Bursary cohort addressed to Sesing, the graduates entreated the provincial health department to find a strategy to retain them in the public sector. Mondli Mvambi, spokesperson for the Free State health department, acknowledged that there were graduates of the NMFC Bursary programme that the department hadn’t been able to employ. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tamsin Metelerkamp at Daily Maverick
Standard Bank follows peers in raising retirement age for executives from 60 to 63 BL Premium reports that Standard Bank has increased the retirement age of its executives from 60 to 63 years as it looks to holding on to its top brass for longer in a fiercely competitive jobs market for skilled top talent. The change takes effect in January, opening the door for group CEO Sim Tshabalala to stay longer at the helm of the bank. The official retirement age for all other employees is already 63. The bank indicated on Friday: “The revised executive retirement age aligns Standard Bank with prevailing practices across the financial services industry, ensuring that the bank remains competitive in the global and local talent market. It reflects the evolving nature of executive leadership and the increasing value of experience, continuity, and institutional knowledge in driving long-term growth and innovation. This change also ensures that Standard Bank is not an outlier in what is a highly competitive market for key talent.” Rival Nedbank recently resolved to increase its normal retirement age from 60 to a “competitive” 63 years from August – joining Absa, which also has a retirement age of 63. Standard Bank’s retirement age of 60 for executives was reportedly said to have disadvantaged it in its bid to retain respected banker Kenny Fihla in its ranks. Fihla, who is in his late-50s, opted to join rival Absa as CEO. Meantime, Capitec is about to see a leadership change, following the retirement of highly successful Gerrie Fourie, who will hand over the reins of the company to Graham Lee. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Kabelo Khumalo at BusinessLive (subscriber access only). Read too, Standard Bank hikes retirement age for execs, at News24 (subscription / trial registration required). And also, Why Standard Bank is extending its executive retirement age to 63, at IOL Business
Crime Intelligence boss Dumisani Khumalo and six senior SAPS members granted bail EWN reports that seven senior Crime Intelligence officials, including the head of the embattled unit, Dumisani Khumalo, were granted bail in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Friday. Khumalo and his co-accused, who were arrested on Thursday, are charged with four counts of corruption and fraud. The charges relate to the appointment of 30-year-old Dineo Mokwele to an executive position within Crime Intelligence in April last year, despite her having no policing capabilities, knowledge or skills. The State claims the accused colluded in getting Mokwele’s appointment over the line, that she submitted false information on her CV and was not qualified for the R55,000 salary she earned. Magistrate Vusumuzi Mahlangu granted six of the seven accused R10,000 bail, dismissing their earlier calls to be released on R1,000. "With the earning capacity that all seven of you have got, it is quite ridiculous that an amount of R1,000 for each of you is proposed as the correct amount of bail,” the magistrate noted. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Orrin Singh at EWN. Lees ook, Intelligensiehoof, medebeskuldigdes op borgtog vrygelaat, by Maroela Media Police Minister calls for an end to false speculation about National Commissioner Masemola's arrest IOL News reports that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has called for speculation to cease after reports emerged of National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola’s imminent arrest. According to the reports, Masemola faces possible arrest for authorising the irregular purchasing of buildings. It is alleged that the irregular procurements for Crime Intelligence buildings amounted to more than R120 million. In a statement released on Sunday, Police Ministry spokesperson Kamogelo Mogotsi advised that they had not been made aware of any impending arrest. Mogotsi said the Police Ministry had also noted the response from the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) on this speculation. The IDAC and the National Prosecuting Authority stated they have no intention of arresting or obtaining any arrest warrant for the National Police Commissioner. “We plead with the media to avoid any speculation on this as speculation of this nature has an adverse impact on the named person and also has an effect of destabilising the work of the South African Police Service (SAPS),” Mogotsi stated. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Robin-Lee Francke at IOL News Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Suspension of Mpumalanga school principal for alleged sexual assault welcomed The Citizen reports that education experts and organisations fighting against gender-based violence have welcomed the suspension of a Mpumalanga high school principal who is accused of sexual harassment. Mpumalanga Department of Education spokesperson Jasper Zwane reported that the principal of Magwagwaza Secondary School in Bushbuckridge had been placed on precautionary suspension with immediate effect due to serious allegations of sexual harassment. He said the department would also refer the matter to the SA Council for Educators (SACE), which has the authority to deregister educators found guilty of sexual misconduct, thereby prohibiting their re-employment in any educational institution within the country. Zwane added that the department was deeply disturbed by the allegations. Advocate Brenda Madumise-Pajibo, director of the feminist organisation Wise4Afrika, welcomed the department’s action. “This decisive action must be seen as a way to end gender-based violence tolerance and minimisation of the harm sexual harassment inflicts on learners and to the entire school and families,” she said. Education expert Henrick Makaneta said it was shocking that a principal had been accused of sexual harassment, there being “no doubt that these are serious allegations.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Masoka Dube at The Citizen Other internet posting(s) in this news category
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