In our Friday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South
African labour-related reports.
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Ramaphosa to address nation on Sunday about Mkhwanazi’s allegations TimesLIVE reports that on Sunday, President Cyril Ramaphosa will brief the nation on developments following allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi against leaders of the police and senior politicians. Last Sunday, Mkhwanazi alleged that deputy national commissioner Lt-Gen Shadrack Sibiya had obstructed justice, stalled investigations into political assassinations and organised crime and had shielded politically connected suspects by taking control of more than 120 sensitive dockets. Mkhwanazi said this was done without the authority of the national or provincial commissioner. Further allegations implicated the police minister Senzo Mchunu, with suggestions of links to controversial figures such as Vusumuzi “Cat” Matlala, who faces serious criminal charges, but who reportedly remains politically protected while benefiting from lucrative police contracts. Ramaphosa, who was attending a Brics summit in Brazil when Mkhwanazi made the allegations, noted the statements, saying the matter was of grave national security concern. The Presidency called on all parties involved to exercise discipline and restraint, stating that the trading of accusations and counteraccusations threatened to undermine public confidence and sow confusion. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Shonisani Tshikalange at BusinessLive. See too, Ramaphosa to address nation following allegations by Mkhwanazi, at The Citizen. En ook, Ramaphosa praat Sondag oor Mchunu, by Maroela Media Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Cosatu backs criminal charges over George building collapse disaster SABC News reports that trade union federation Cosatu has welcomed the decision by Public Works and Infrastructure Minister, Dean Macpherson, for criminal charges to be laid against those responsible for the building collapse disaster in George. The multi-story building collapsed while under construction in May last year, leading to the deaths of 34 construction workers and injuries to 28 others. Cosatu spokesperson Zanele Sabela pointed out that according to the minister, the final report released by the Engineering Council of SA detailed a picture of preventable errors, regulatory failures and professional negligence. “Cosatu has consistently called for those responsible to be fully held to account. The federation is pleased they will face criminal charges, because we cannot stand by while workers’ lives are sacrificed, when unscrupulous employers do not comply with laws that are meant to safeguard lives. The federation will ensure that those who flout the laws of the country face stringent sanctions and penalties as per the provisions of the Housing Consumer Protection Act, passed by President Cyril Ramaphosa in January,” Sabela said. Meanwhile, findings contained in the report led to the suspension of five officials from the National Home Builders Registration Council. Human Settlements Minister, Thembi Simelane has indicated that the final report had been referred to authorities to determine who should be held liable for the deaths. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at SABC News
Unions and business brace for tariff hikes, with impact already being felt in Eastern Cape BL Premium reports that labour federations and businesses have slammed a proposed 30% blanket tariff by former US President Donald Trump on SA exports, warning it could devastate an already fragile economy grappling with high unemployment and sluggish growth. The Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu), SA Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) and the National Council of Trade Unions (Nactu) have all raised alarm about the economic and social consequences of the move, which threatens sectors such as automotive manufacturing, agriculture, steel, chemicals and textiles. Many of these industries have a footprint in the Eastern Cape, a major export gateway to global markets. “Cosatu is deeply concerned … the impact of the impending tariff is already being felt in the Eastern Cape with 900 jobs on the line at Goodyear SA and Mercedes-Benz ‘temporarily’ shutting down vehicle production,” said the federation’s Zanele Sabela. Saftu called the tariff “economic bullying” and a form of “trade war against the poor”. General secretary Zwelinzima Vavi stated: “This unilateral and protectionist threat will hurt workers and small producers across the Global South. A 30% tariff could drive many of them over the edge, leading to mass retrenchments and closures.” He called for urgent national dialogue, accelerated trade diversification, and a rejection of SA’s current export-led and austerity-driven model in favour of a UN sustainable development goals-aligned strategy. “We are extremely disappointed with US President Donald Trump’s announcement,” the Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) Business Chamber said in a statement, adding that the region would be disproportionately affected due to its high reliance on the automotive and agriculture sectors. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane & Thando Maeko at BusinessLive (subscriber access only) Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Chris Griffith confirms his resignation from Vedanta Miningmx reports that Chris Griffith has confirmed his resignation from Vedanta, the Indian company where he was appointed about two years ago to lead its base metals division. “I can confirm I have resigned from Vedanta,” he indicated in a WhatsApp message Thursday, but declined to provide details. Prior to Vedanta, Griffith had been CEO of Gold Fields and Anglo American Platinum. He had also previously been CEO of Kumba Iron Ore. His departure from Vedanta comes amid a report by Viceory Research, which shorted the debt held by Vedanta saying it was “an unappreciated risk”. Sentiment about Vedanta had been weighed down by its debt burden, the result of an acquisition spree that includes stakes in Bharat Aluminium and Hindustan Zinc. Vedanta dismissed the report as “a malicious combination of selective misinformation and baseless allegations,” and said it had not been contacted by the short seller. When he was appointed in September 2023, Griffith was given responsibility over Vedanta’s international zinc business in SA and Namibia, its iron ore business in Liberia, and its copper portfolio, including Konkola Copper Mines (KCM), Zambia, Fujairah, UAE and Sterlite Copper in India. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by David McKay at Miningmx. Read too, Vedanta base metals CEO Chris Griffith quits amid debt, short-seller woes, at Moneyweb. And also, Chris Griffith on his way out as Vedanta battles Viceroy attack, at News24 Business (subscription / trial registration required) Other general posting(s) relating to mining
Are employees being cheated by ambiguity in the law over public holiday pay? The Citizen reports that officials from the Parliamentary Legal Services recently briefed the Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour on possible shortcomings or gaps in the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA). Parliamentary legal adviser Telana Halley-Starkey informed MPs that section 18(2)(b)(ii) of the BCEA relating to pay on a public holiday contained “semantic ambiguity”. This section states that if employees work on a public holiday, they must be paid their normal daily wage plus extra pay for the hours they actually work that day – but only if this total is more than double their normal daily wage. “So, the legal issue is (that) the interpretation of that section is not clear. The confusion then lies in the pronoun ‘it’. A question that may arise is which noun is ‘it’ referring to. What is the ‘greater’ that the section refers to?” Halley-Starkey asked. She explained that although the section was faulty in syntax, there have been no interpretation issues raised by legal experts or any court. “The common interpretation, therefore, is that the employer either pays the employee double the normal wage or the normal wage plus any amount that is earned on the day, whichever is greater of the two,” Halley-Starkey noted. She proposed removing the phrases “at least double” and “if it is greater” from the section, and instead including the wording “the higher amount of the following” to improve clarity. However, according DA MP Juliet Basson, the current wording of the section seemed to favour the employer. Separately, DA MP, Michael Bagraim emphasised the need to clarify how public holidays were treated when they fell on a Sunday. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Molefe Seeletsa at The Citizen
Bidvest says Ramaphosa-linked company behind ‘no whites’ bursary programme Daily Investor reports that according to Bidvest, a company linked to President Cyril Ramaphosa is behind its controversial school bursary programme. The services, trading, and distribution company has a diverse portfolio operating in numerous sectors. Last week, it was criticised because its employee school bursary programme was only open to Black, Indian, and Coloured children, and excluded White children. Trade union Solidarity chief executive, Dirk Hermann, described the bursary as racist as it excluded all white children. Hermann wrote an open letter to Bidvest chief executive, Mpumi Madisa, arguing that it was “wrong in every aspect”. “What Bidvest is doing for black children is noble, but what the company is doing to white children is racist,” he said. Julian Gwillim of Aprio Strategic Communications responded by letter to Hermann on behalf of Bidvest. He explained that the Bidvest Education Trust, previously known as the Dinatla Trust, was behind the bursary. Hermann responded to the Bidvest letter, saying the company had thrown President Cyril Ramaphosa under the bus. He advised that Bidvest had indicated that it was not the origin of the discriminatory policy, but that it was started in a group in which Ramaphosa then had an interest. Hermann went on to report that according to Bidvest, the black empowerment company Dinatla, in which Ramaphosa held a 15% stake, laid the foundation for the policy. In 2004, Dinatla acquired a 34% stake in Bidvest and Ramaphosa was appointed as chairperson of Bidvest. “He (Ramaphosa) resigned in 2013, and thus, for nine years, he oversaw the race program that originated and was developed within his camp,” Hermann pointed out. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Daily Investor
Standard Bank suspends marketing manager after drug and firearms arrest Cape Times reports that Standard Bank has suspended one of its marketing managers following his arrest in connection with a major drug and firearms bust. Raed Cupido, 40, was arrested on 10 June at a storage unit in Roeland Street, Cape Town, where police allegedly discovered 15 bricks of cocaine worth R18 million, an AK-47 rifle, five 9mm pistols, and a stash of ammunition in his possession. In light of the ongoing criminal case, Standard Bank said the employee had been suspended pending the outcome of the legal proceedings. “Standard Bank has a zero-tolerance policy towards criminal activity. As per the Bank’s established practice, the Bank has suspended a marketing manager in its employ, pending the outcome of criminal proceedings. Standard Bank confirms that in the event that the Bank is approached by law enforcement, it will ensure full co-operation,” the bank said. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nicola Daniels at Cape Times
Durban court employee charged with corruption over child maintenance bribe IOL News reports that a Durban family court staffer made his first appearance at the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday for allegedly accepting a bribe from an eThekwini Municipality worker to assist him to make sure that his child maintenance was not increased. Thulasizwe Mahlobo and Ebrahim Amod are charged with corruption. The State alleges that Mahlobo met with Amod near the Point area in Durban and he was given an unspecified amount. Mahlobo is a court employee working at the family court. It is alleged that Amod’s ex-wife had taken him to court for spousal and child maintenance. A close source said Amod did not want to pay more than what he was currently paying for his child and ex-wife maintenance. According to the State, Mahlobo’s job was to assist in making sure that the maintenance of both the child and ex-wife did not increase. As the duo appeared, a magistrate from Pinetown Court was called to preside over the matter as magistrates from the Durban Court know Mahlobo. The State has opposed bail for the duo. The matter was postponed to 14 July. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nomonde Zondi at IOL News eThekwini Municipality's Integrity Unit warns of rampant diesel theft by municipal employees The Mercury reports that the Integrity and Investigations Unit in the eThekwini Municipality has sounded the alarm about the criminal conduct of some of the City's employees, warning that it could bankrupt the municipality. Head of the Unit, Jimmy Ngcobo, is concerned about the pervasive theft of municipal assets, specifically diesel. This after municipal staff were caught stealing diesel from a municipal water tanker this week. In recent months, several City workers have been caught siphoning diesel from municipal vehicles to sell it off. The two individuals caught this week were arrested in the uMbumbulu area. The two men were identified as a water tanker driver and a ward committee member. A criminal case of diesel theft was opened at the uMbumbulu police station and the suspects have appeared in court. Last month, it was reported that two municipal employees were arrested after they were caught stealing diesel meant for municipal operations. The arrests were made in eKukhanyeni, near Verulam, after investigators followed up on reports of suspicious activity involving municipal water trucks. One municipal water truck was caught offloading diesel at a private residence, while another was parked next to the gate of the same residence. Both trucks were reportedly carrying water intended for delivery to communities. Ngcobo said the managers in the depots should also take responsibility. “They should be able to tell that the rate at which a tanker is filling up diesel is abnormal and is not corresponding with the kilometres it has travelled. That tells me that these managers are also not doing their jobs.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Thami Magubane at The Mercury Mooi River driving license examiner and driving school instructor convicted of fraud The Witness reports that the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has welcomed the conviction of a KwaZulu-Natal driving licence examiner, as well as a driving school instructor, in a case that exposed serious breaches in the integrity of the licence issuing system. On Tuesday, the Durban Specialised Commercial Crime Court found Sandile Ndlovu, an examiner based in Mooi River, guilty of fraud and conspiracy to commit corruption. He was found to have fraudulently issued a learner’s licence to an individual who had not written the required examination. Ndlovu was arrested in 2016 following a complaint submitted to the RTMC’s National Traffic Anti-Corruption Unit. Investigators found that Ndlovu had conspired with Zandile Dlamini, a driving school instructor, to issue the learner’s licence in exchange for a R3,000 bribe. Dlamini was also convicted for facilitating the illegal transaction and accepting an unlawful benefit. The matter was postponed to 29 August to allow for the preparation of pre-sentence reports. The State is expected to call additional witnesses during sentencing to outline the broader impact of the misconduct on road safety and public service. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Shorné Bennie at The Witness. Read too, Corrupt KZN driving licence duo convicted, at The Citizen
Employers must act swiftly to deal with sexual harassment claims, or pay the price In an opinion piece, Andre van Heerden and Hannah Fowler of Werksmans Attorneys write that employers must act swiftly on sexual harassment allegations to avoid liability under the Employment Equity Act (EEA), as a recent CCMA ruling highlighted. In this case, two library assistants at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University accused a colleague of sexual harassment in May 2018. They reported the issue to their supervisor who allegedly responded without urgency or sensitivity. Only when the complaints were escalated to a senior supervisor, did the response gain momentum. The senior supervisor requested written statements, and the matter reached the Labour Relations department. Within three weeks, the employer suspended the accused and relocated him to another workplace due to a concurrent staff strike. A disciplinary hearing, held within two months, cleared the accused, but the employer kept him separated to protect the complainants. Dissatisfied, the complainants referred the matter to the CCMA, alleging unfair discrimination under Section 60 of the EEA and seeking compensation. The CCMA arbitrator ruled the employer acted promptly. However, the ruling clarifies that employers need not take every possible step, but must act reasonably and promptly, with a case-specific standard. In this case, employer’s escalation and protective measures sufficed. However, the message was clear, namely that delayed or inadequate responses to harassment risked legal liability, reputational harm, and eroded trust. The authors opine that employers must strengthen harassment policies. Proactive steps—robust reporting, training, and swift action—mitigate risks and uphold EEA obligations. Read the full opinion piece on this subject at News24 (subscription / trial registration required)
Cross examination of Mbenenge in sexual harassment probe come to an end BL Premium reports that the evidence leader on Thursday concluded her cross examination of Eastern Cape judge president Selby Mbenenge at the judicial conduct tribunal which is investigating a complaint of sexual harassment against him. Mbenenge was on the stand from Monday until Thursday testifying about the sexual harassment complaint made against him by judges’ secretary Andiswa Mengo. She has accused the judge president of sexually harassing her in their engagements on WhatsApp from June 2021 to 2022, and physically as well. If found guilty of gross misconduct, Mbenenge could be impeached, lose his job and all the benefits that go with it. The judge throughout the tribunal argued that communications between him and Mengo were “consensual and flirtatious”. In her cross examination, evidence leader advocate Salome Scheepers on Thursday continued to quiz Mbenenge on claims he asked Mengo for oral sex in his chambers at the Mthatha High Court in November 2022. When Scheepers put it to him that because there was no full day footage of 14 November 2022 and that it could not be dismissed that the incident happened, Mbenenge denied the proposition. “The version of the complainant is denied. We can repeat this 100 times, it is not going to change. All I am going to say is, this is becoming highly malicious,” Mbenenge indicated. Mengo previously told the tribunal that a security guard at the court informed her that Mbenenge had ordered footage of the said day to be wiped off. The tribunal will reconvene on 21 October for oral arguments before it delivers a decision. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sinesipho Schrieber at BusinessLive (subscriber access only) Other internet posting(s) in this news category
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