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 Tuesday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South
African labour-related reports.
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With 30% of FlySafair flights already cut due to strike, no additional cancellations expected on Tuesday Bloomberg reports that FlySafair is not expecting any additional disruption to its services after reducing the number of daily flights it operates by about 30% to ensure that it has sufficient pilots for each trip amid a pilots’ strike. It expects all scheduled flights to depart as planned from Tuesday. The airline employs around 310 pilots, of whom about 200 are represented by trade union Solidarity. Industrial action by the union’s members commenced on Monday, leaving 26 flights grounded. Solidarity said in a statement: “Solidarity gave FlySafair notice of a one-day strike, but FlySafair hit back with a notice that it would lock out the pilots for seven days, which could last for another seven days. This forced Solidarity to extend its strike notice to 14 days as well.” Solidarity spokesperson Helgard Cronje said that the airline’s lockout of its pilots, as well as the strike, would remain in place even as talks at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) got under way. According to the union, the company had been underestimating how disruptive the lockout would be for the company and its passengers. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at News24. Read too, Travellers left in the lurch as FlySafair pilot strike grounds flights, at News24 (subscription / trial registration required). And also, Passengers stranded as FlySafair cancels 26 flights amid pilot strike, at SABC News FlySafair agrees to CCMA intervention over pilots’ strike Maroela Media reports that Solidarity has welcomed the decision by FlySafair to participate in the mediation process as requested by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) in terms of section 150 of the Labour Relations Act. According to the trade union, while FlySafair had had the opportunity to defuse the labour dispute between the parties over the past weekend and spare thousands of passengers the frustration of a strike, only on Monday, after widespread publicity and frustration, did the airline reluctantly agreed to the CCMA process. Industrial action by pilots who are Solidarity members commenced on Monday and disruptions could continue for up to two weeks. According to Helgard Cronjé, deputy general secretary of public industry at Solidarity, there are still doubts as to whether FlySafair was approaching the situation with the necessary urgency because the airline was only willing to start the CCMA process by Wednesday. “As a result, thousands more passengers will be affected before FlySafair comes to the table,” Cronjé pointed out. Solidarity expressed the hope that FlySafair’s agreement to the mediation process would mark the beginning of real solutions that “address the concerns of their pilots with genuine seriousness and that could pave the way for improved working relations in the future.” Read the full original of the Afrikaans report in the above regard at Maroela Media Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Manhunt launched after Eastern Cape police clerk shot dead at her home on Friday DailyDispatch reports that police have launched a manhunt after a SA Police Service (SAPS) administrative clerk was gunned down at her home in the Eastern Cape on Friday. Bongiwe Ramncwana, 48, was shot dead at about 5.30pm in White City, Sada Township, Whittlesea. According to the police, Ramncwana, who worked at the Whittlesea SAPS, was attacked as she opened her gate. She was declared dead on the scene. Police spokesperson Captain Namhla Mdleleni indicated: “The suspect, who was driving a white Suzuki, opened fire on the victim. The motive is unknown.” Read the original of the short report in the above regard at DailyDispatch Other internet posting(s) in this news category
ActionSA calls on Mpumalanga premier for transparency and action regarding trio trapped at Lily Mine The Star reports that ActionSA has formally written to Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu to seek a detailed disclosure of the government’s process in recovering the bodies of the Lily Mine workers – Yvonne Mnisi, Pretty Nkambule, and Solomon Nyerende – who were trapped underground since the mine collapsed in 2016. While ActionSA welcomed the provincial government’s recent update that confirmed an estimated R18m budget and the involvement of a new investor, the party expressed frustration over the long delays and previous exclusion from meaningful consultation. In a statement, ActionSA’s Herman Mashaba said: “Our numerous efforts, including through our members of parliament and members of the Mpumalanga legislature, have either been ignored or given the runaround. It is critical that government transparency be coupled with urgency in recovering the remains safely and swiftly.” In its letter to Ndlovu, ActionSA emphasised the need for collaboration, but warned that the party would continue to pursue its parallel initiative to engage experienced mine rescue companies to prepare bids for the retrieval operation. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at The Star Other labour / community posting(s) relating to mining
Creecy’s dissolution of RAF board leads to delay in appointing new CEO BL Premium reports that the disbandment of the Road Accident Fund (RAF) board weeks before suspended CEO Collins Letsoalo’s term of office ends puts Transport Minister Barbara Creecy in a legal bind over the appointment of a new CEO. Letsoalo’s term ends next month and, without a board, the process of appointing a CEO will have to be delayed. The RAF Act stipulates that the RAF board must recommend CEO candidates after which the minister appoints one of them. Legally, nothing prohibits Letsoalo from applying for a second term. The minister last week dissolved the RAF board, citing “persistent governance and operational challenges that have beset the RAF and significantly undermined its ability to discharge its statutory mandate”. Transport ministry spokesperson Collen Msibi said the department planned to appoint a new board by December. The new board would thereafter initiate a process to appoint the head of the fund. Before the board was dissolved, Transport Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa had been urging it to fast track the appointment of a CEO. Msibi advised that RAF chief strategy officer Phathutshedzo Lukhwareni, who was acting as CEO, would continue acting in the position. “RAF has an acting CEO who is currently responsible for managing the business. So there is currently no vacuum that will affect the business operations of the entity,” Msibi pointed out. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sinesipho Schrieber at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
Emfuleni's job raffle to fill 100 positions causes a stir The Star reports that in a controversial recruitment approach, Emfuleni Municipality recently organised a job raffle, which it claimed provided equal opportunity. However, this initiative has led to public outcry over issues of fairness and transparency. The selection process was held at the Sebokeng Driving Licence Testing Centre (DLTC), where hundreds of hopeful job seekers lined up in long queues, all anxiously waiting to hear if their names would be drawn in the lottery-style selection process. A boy was asked to pick out the lucky names. The job raffle, intended to fill 100 general worker positions for residents of Wards 36 and 37, followed the Gauteng Department of Transport’s recent allocation of R138 million to fast-track the long-overdue completion of the Sebokeng DLTC. But, many residents expressed frustration over the unexpected shift in the application process as they were originally told to hand in their CVs and copies of their qualifications at the Sebokeng DLTC. A resident from Zone 7 shared her deep frustration and disappointment with how the job raffle was handled. She explained that when news of the general worker positions broke, she followed every instruction by submitting her CV in a brown envelope along with certified copies of her qualifications, just as required. She used what little money she had to make copies, get them certified, and purchase an envelope, hopeful that her dedication and qualifications would improve her chances of being selected. “We were later told to just write our names on a piece of paper and drop it in a box, like a lucky draw. It was heartbreaking,” she said. She also voiced concerns about gender inequality in the selection process, stating that the outcome appeared to heavily favour men. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Masabata Mkwananzi at The Star
New chapter at Capitec as Gerrie Fourie hands over CEO baton to Graham Lee BL Premium reports that Graham Lee has officially begun his tenure as Capitec CEO, after the lender’s mainstay executive Gerrie Fourie bid the group farewell at the AGM held on Friday. Fourie will still be involved in rolling out the company’s strategy, particularly its international expansion ambitions. The bank, under Fourie, has grown from a microlender to a diversified financial services group, increasingly attracting high- income earners. “The most I have learnt in the 25 years with the bank is working with clients and asking them questions about our products. A lot of strategies have been developed by feedback and insights we got from clients,” Fourie said, before reflecting on what Lee brought to the CEO office. He added that what was important was to have passion for people. Fourie, who became emotional at the end of his speech as he thanked his family, including his wife, father and two sisters who were in attendance, has been the group’s CEO for 11 years, a period that has seen exponential growth. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Kabelo Khumalo at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
Retired judge, 72, seeking IEC commissioner post says no to age discrimination BL Premium reports that former KwaZulu-Natal deputy judge president Mjabuliseni Madondo says should he not be appointed as an Electoral Commission of SA (IEC) commissioner based merely on his age, it would amount to age discrimination. Madondo turns 72 in November. He retired from the bench in 2023 when he reached retirement. A panel chaired by Chief Justice Mandisa Maya interviewed Madondo on Monday. He is among 11 candidates shortlisted for interviews to fill three vacancies for commissioners at the IEC. According to the law, the commission consists of five members, one of which has to be a judge. Madondo’s only competition in the race is Judge Dhaya Pillay. Maya asked Madondo whether his age should disqualify him from the appointment. “Well, that would be discrimination on the grounds of age. One must not look at my age but must look at my contribution, experience, knowledge and qualifications. If I am not contributing, then it means all this knowledge will be wasted,” Madondo answered. He emphasised in his closing comments that his age should not be viewed as a disadvantage. During his interview, Madondo told the panel he believed one of the ways he would propose to boost voter turnout was to partner with traditional leaders in rural areas. In 2023 Unisa conferred an honorary doctoral degree (LLD) on Madondo for his contribution to the legal sector. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sinesipho Schrieber at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
Manamela appointed new Higher Education Minister as axe falls on Nkabane over Seta appointments scandal News24 reports that President Cyril Ramaphosa has removed Higher Education and Training Minister Nobuhle Nkabane and replaced her with Buti Manamela, with Nomusa Dube-Ncube appointed as deputy minister. Nkabane announced her departure in a statement on Monday. Calls had been mounting for Ramaphosa to act on Nkabane, who came into the spotlight when questions arose about a slew of ANC-aligned persons being appointed as chairs of Sector Education and Training Authority (Seta) boards. Nkabane was accused of lying to parliament about the appointment of a controversial panel that she claimed assisted her in selecting the Seta board appointments. At the height of the Seta boards scandal, Nkabane was forced to withdraw the list of appointees and restart the process. The person she claimed served on the alleged independent advisory panel also distanced themselves from involvement. The DA took the matter to Parliament’s ethics committee and opened a criminal case. The EFF was also been vocal and protested the ANC’s use of boards to reward political has-beens who were loyal to the party. The ANC welcomed Manamela and Dube-Ncube’s appointments and wished Nkabane well in her future endeavours. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Andisiwe Makinana & Siyamtanda Capa at News24 (subscription / trial registration required). Read too, Nkabane removed as higher education minister, replaced by Buti Manamela, at TimesLIVE. En ook, Nkabane afgedank ná sy vergadering misloop, by Maroela Media
High Court orders removal of Facebook posts that defamed Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth Sunday World reports that in an urgent and precedent-setting decision, the Eastern Cape High Court in Mthatha earlier this month ordered the immediate removal of defamatory statements posted on Facebook by Nelitha Diko about Minister of Employment and Labour Nomakhosazana Meth. At the center of the ruling, delivered on 1 July 2025, were accusations posted by Diko, which included details of a sexual nature allegedly involving two women who worked closely together and lived in the same house for approximately four to five years. The matter, which Meth brought before the court as a matter of urgency, was presided over by Judge Buyiswa Majiki, who dispensed with standard procedural rules in recognition of the case’s immediate importance. The court found that statements published by Diko on 20 June, along with subsequent posts across her Facebook account, were defamatory and damaging to Meth’s reputation and ordered their immediate retraction and deletion. Additionally, the court issued an interdict restraining Diko from publishing any further defamatory statements about Meth, whether on Facebook or any other social media platform. In the wake of the court order, Diko, a former associate of Meth, issued a public and unconditional apology for her actions. She acknowledged that her statements were both unfair and unlawful, attributing her actions to underlying health issues exacerbated by financial hardship and joblessness. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Setumo Stone at Sunday World
South Gauteng Director of Public Prosecutions Andrew Chauke suspended pending inquiry into his fitness for office News24 reports that President Cyril Ramaphosa has suspended South Gauteng Director of Public Prosecutions Andrew Chauke pending an inquiry into his fitness for office. On Monday, the Presidency confirmed the move, saying it was with “immediate effect”. According to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, the President believed Chauke’s “continued tenure as Director of Public Prosecutions – while facing serious accusations – would negatively affect the reputation of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) as a whole”. President Ramaphosa was also concerned that Chauke will not be able to fulfil his functions optimally while facing an inquiry. It was previously reported that in August 2023, National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi told Chauke she was writing to Ramaphosa to recommend that the President consider his suspension pending an inquiry. Reportedly, the inquiry would be to probe the NPA’s since invalidated institution of racketeering charges against the police’s Cato Manor unit and Chauke’s defence thereof in subsequent litigation. It would further probe Chauke’s failure to pursue charges against former Crime Intelligence head Richard Mdluli for the 1999 murder of Oupa Ramogibe, who allegedly had an affair with his customary wife, Tshidi Buthelezi, before marrying her. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Bernadette Wicks at News24 (subscription / trial registration required)
Two JMPD officers arrested for extortion and corruption after 'bribe money' in excess of R5k found The Citizen reports that two Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officers have been arrested on charges of extortion and corruption. The arrests on Saturday followed a swift probe initiated by a public complaint. JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla said they received a distress call on Saturday from a concerned citizen who reported being extorted by officers. “The complainant alleged that officers demanded R8,000 after accusing their company driver of fleeing an accident scene. Acting on the provided vehicle registration, JMPD Internal Affairs quickly tracked the vehicle to a BP Garage in Parktown, where three officers were located,” Fihla said. He went on to report: “A search of the officers and their vehicle uncovered R5,340 from two male officers, much of which could not be accounted for and was suspected to be illicitly obtained. Some of the money was found concealed within the vehicle.” The two male officers were detained at Jeppe SAPS on charges of extortion and corruption. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Faizel Patel at The Citizen Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Former Harvester Primary School teacher granted R5,000 bail after sexual grooming and explicit footage allegations Cape Argus reports that the former Harvester Primary School teacher accused of sending explicit footage to a Grade 7 learner was released on bail of R5 000 on Friday. The 35-year-old accused appeared in the Mitchells Plain Magistrate’s Court facing charges of sexual grooming of a child and exposing a child to explicit material. The court heard arguments from the State and the teacher's lawyer in her bail application. The defence said: “There is no likelihood that she would evade her trial or intimidate witnesses. The [accused] cooperated with police when she was arrested and gave her phone in during her arrest. There is no evidence that the accused would commit more offences on children, there is no evidence that she would further commit Schedule 1 offences.” The magistrate said during her judgment that it was concerning that the accused used the school as a hunting ground for grooming and sexual exploitation and how the principal handled the matter. However, she found that there was no likelihood that the accused would commit more offences. The court granted the accused bail of R5,000 with the condition that she did not enter Mitchell's Plain unless it was to come to court, could not directly and indirectly contact the victim and could not be in a setting where there were children. The case was postponed to 16 October for further investigation. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Kim Swartz at Cape Argus
Eight passengers injured after Golden Arrow bus petrol bombed in Cape Town on Monday News24 reports that eight passengers were injured when a Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS) bus was petrol bombed near Duinefontein and Govan Mbeki Roads in Gugulethu, in the early hours of Monday. GABS spokesperson Bronwen Dyke-Beyer said reports from the scene suggested that the attackers used “darkness and the homes around them” as cover. “Eight passengers were injured in the attack and are receiving medical attention. The fire was extinguished quickly by law enforcement and traffic services,” she added. GABS condemned the attack and stated: “These attacks are callous and extremely dangerous and cannot simply be accepted as the norm.” Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Lisalee Solomons at News24
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