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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Trade unions are responsible for rising unemployment, KZN police commissioner opines SowetanLive reports that KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) police commissioner Lt-Col Nhlanhla Mkwanazi has blamed SA’s rising unemployment rate on trade unions, which he said, continually demanded more money for their members. Speaking during Premier Thami Ntuli’s stakeholders engagement on crime prevention in the province, he criticised unions for why many South Africans were unemployed, saying the police, for instance, were unable to hire more officers due to unions demanding salary increases for their members. Mkhwanazi said it pained him to watch National Union of Metalworkers of SA's Irvin Jim talk about the closure of tyre manufacturer Goodyear, which shut its Kariega plant after 78 years in SA, leaving nearly 1,000 people jobless. “When you have companies that are starting to shut down, you need to ask yourself… the higher the salary we need, the less employment [there is] and that is a reality we can’t avoid, it’s a fact. We must face it, it is there. We experience it in the police, and so does everyone. We have to employ other means to try and balance this,” Mkhwanazi argued. SA Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) secretary-general Zwelinzima Vavi said Mkhwanazi's perspective risked distorting public understanding of a far more serious issue. That, he said, included decades of neoliberal austerity and budget cuts that have hollowed out the police service. "While Saftu stands firm in defending workers’ rights to fair compensation, we align with commissioner Mkhwanazi in his call for a better-trained and better-supported police force," Vavi said. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Botho Molosankwe & Jeanette Chabalala at SowetanLive Other internet posting(s) in this news category
New public partnership with Bata Shoes aims to create 300 jobs in KwaZulu-Natal Daily News reports that a new public partnership between the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Department of Public Works and Bata Shoes will make a dent in the province's labour market with the 300 direct jobs that are set to be created. The two entities solidified their commitment through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed on Tuesday. This marked a significant step towards economic revitalisation in the area of uMsinga, in the uMzinyathi District Municipality in northern KZN. MEC Martin Meyers, alongside his counterpart from Economic Development, Rev. Musa Zondi, visited what was once a government building in uMsinga that is now poised to become home to the Bata shoe factory. According to Public Works' spokesperson, Steve Bhengu, the inspection of the property in question aimed to identify ways to effectively leverage state-owned assets to stimulate the economy and create employment opportunities. The inspection found that, despite the property having been abandoned for several years, the building's structure remained sound. However, revitalising the damaged and neglected parts of the facility will require an estimated R60 million. Meyers expressed optimism about the inspection results and indicated that the building's current state highlighted its potential. “The R60 million required for repairs can be viewed as an investment, considering the likelihood of generating at least 300 jobs in this facility,” he said confidently. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sipho Jack at Daily News
Prasa wage deal ‘enforceable’, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy indicates BusinessLive reports that Transport Minister Barbara Creecy weighed in on the crisis surrounding the wage deal that the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) signed with its two biggest unions recently. She opined that the agreement was “enforceable”, despite the rail operator seeking to renege on it. Prasa acting CFO Brian Alexander recently wrote to United National Transport Union’s (Untu’s) Cobus van Vuuren and the SA Transport and Allied Workers’ Union’s (Satawu’s) Jack Mazibuko to indicate that the state-owned company “will potentially not be complying” with the one-year 5.5% wage increase it signed with unions in July. Both unions have since threatened to take legal action. According to the signed legal agreement, Prasa is required to implement a 5.5% across-the-board increase on employees’ total guaranteed package at the end of August 2025, with a lump sum back payment due at the end of September. On Wednesday, Creecy commented: “My understanding is that Prasa has a wage deal and that wage deal is enforceable. The difficulty is that Prasa has an operating shortfall, so it may have to be settled by the courts. It would be irresponsible of me to comment on the challenges Prasa is facing but I am in conversation with National Treasury, at this stage. I cannot say more.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinessLive
Lucky Star workers down tools over ‘unilateral and unjust’ workplace changes at Oceana Business Report writes that more than 2,000 permanent and contracted employees at the Lucky Star fish processing plant and its associated Amawandle Pelagic Fishing plant in the Western Cape have initiated an indefinite strike. They are protesting against what they describe as unilateral and unjust actions by their employer, the Oceana Group. The strike, which began on Tuesday before lunchtime, comes in response to Oceana's alleged withdrawal of a seasonal allowance previously granted to workers and its replacement with a 13th cheque that has been deemed inferior. Dominique Martins of the Food and Allied Workers Union (Fawu) said that the workers' grievances stemmed from a series of detrimental moves by management that undermined union representation and workers' rights. He said the union was also demanding the reinstatement of the full-time shop steward position, the reopening of the union office on-site, as well as the immediate restoration of the seasonal allowance. Given the protracted negotiations with management, Martins said Fawu members felt they had no option but to resort to their constitutional right to strike. Oceana on Wednesday confirmed that Fawu had been granted a certificate to strike over the issue of a full-time shop steward position. "All relevant parties were consulted throughout the review process of the full-time shop steward. The designated Fawu office at the company is still operational and the activities of Fawu are recognised," Oceana indicated. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Banele Ginindza at Business Report Irate Nelson Mnadela Bay municipal workers force cancellation of move to suspend 13 officials The Herald reports that after being booed and heckled by disgruntled workers, Nelson Mandela Bay acting city manager Ted Pillay was forced on Wednesday to withdraw letters of intent to suspend 13 electricity and energy officials. The workers allegedly dragged the acting executive director of electricity and energy, Tholi Biyela, from his office at the Munelek building earlier in August. Pillay addressed staff in front of the City Hall after the SA Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) threatened to go on strike on Monday. The union also wanted an overtime threshold removed and a scarce skills allowance brought back. Later, Pillay told workers who gathered at an auditorium inside City Hall that he had appointed a committee to assist him in understanding issues in the electricity department. “I need to know what is causing the toxic work environment. We also need to follow the processes in dealing with this complex matter and find ways to resolve all the problems in that department,” he indicated. While he was still speaking, workers started shouting that he must get to the point. Pillay then had a private talk with Samwu regional chair Phumzile Tshuni as workers started singing, calling for Biyela to go. After a short while, Pillay announced: “The letters have been withdrawn unconditionally and with immediate effect.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Andisa Bonani at The Herald. Read too, Nelson Mandela Bay municipality buckles and agrees to relook at demands on overtime cap and scarce skills allowance, at The Herald (subscriber access only)
Angry residents block entrance to Hilton College to demand jobs SowetanLive reports that police were called on Wednesday morning to disperse a group of residents from a nearby village who had blocked the entrance to Hilton College in KwaZulu-Natal. The residents said they had been holding back-to-back meetings with the headmaster of SA’s most expensive school, whom they claimed had promised them jobs but who reneged on the promise on Tuesday. Angry residents from the village went to the school early in the morning and initially blocked the gate, preventing employees from entering. When police removed the protesting residents, they closed the road with logs and rocks. The police eventually managed to disperse them and workers were able to gain entrance to the school. The land on which Hilton College is built is subject to a land claim by the surrounding community that says it was forcefully removed more than 100 years ago. According to a local resident, the residents’ great-grandparents had availed land for the school to be built, yet it was hiring people from outside the community of Hilton College village while they remained unemployed. The school’s headmaster, George Harris, indicated: “The school continues to engage with the disaffected people in an attempt to find a feasible solution.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Botho Molosankwe at SowetanLive
Exxaro makes executive management changes to reflect diversified portfolio BL Premium reports that Exxaro Resources has announced changes to its executive structure, making two new appointments that incorporate its growing diversified portfolio. The resources group announced on Wednesday that Caroline Shirindza has been appointed executive head coal with effect from 1 November. In addition, Neo Monareng becomes executive head of sustainability from that same date. The group said the changes to its executive committee were to reposition Exxaro as an organisation that was fit for the future and a structure that incorporated its growing diversified portfolio. “These changes ensure that Exxaro’s leadership team is aligned to exploit opportunities across coal, energy and transitional metals, while driving capital discipline and operational efficiency,” it said. The members of the executive committee reporting directly to CEO Ben Magara are listed in the report. “These leadership appointments and structural changes strengthen Exxaro’s functional model to deliver sustainable growth and long-term value to our shareholders and all our stakeholders. With a proven leadership team in place, Exxaro is well positioned to accelerate diversification, deliver consistent operational performance and unlock value in energy and metals, while continuing to strengthen our coal base. We look forward to welcoming Caroline Shirindza and Neo Monareng to team Exxaro,” said Magara. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jacqueline Mackenzie at BusinessLive (subscriber access only). Read too, Exxaro takes steps to create ‘fit for the future’ management structure, at Mining Weekly Other labour / community posting(s) relating to mining
Food behind consumer inflation’s advance to one-year high of 3.5% BL Premium reports that according to the latest data from Stats SA, food inflation rose to its highest level in 18 months, helping to push headline inflation in July to 3.5%, the highest annual rate since July 2024. Food inflation accelerated to 5.5% in July from 4.7% in June. Food and nonalcoholic beverages exerted the most upward pressure, followed by housing and utilities inflation. Within the food category, meat prices surged 10.5%, vegetables 14.6%, and fruit and nuts 9.5%, reflecting local supply constraints and lingering base effects. Agbiz chief economist Wandile Sihlobo commented that while increases in meat and vegetable prices underpinned the latest reading, “the major drivers of these particular products are temporary” and thus “we have maintained our view of potentially moderating food price inflation in the coming months.” Core inflation (excluding food, nonalcoholic beverages, fuel and energy prices) was at 3% year-on-year in July, up from 2.9% in June. The consumer price index (CPI) increased by 0.9% month-on- month. The sharp increase was driven by annual municipal tariff adjustments, which saw electricity and other fuels jump by 8.6% month-on-month and water-related services increase 6.5%. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jana Marx at BusinessLive (subscriber access only). Read too, Red-hot beef prices stoke inflation to 10-month high, at News24 (subscription / trial registration required). And also, SA inflation climbs, reducing chance of interest rate cut, at Moneyweb Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Average take-home salaries slide again in July as municipal tariffs bite BusinessLive reports that salary earners took another knock in July, as average take-home pay continued its months-long downward trend and cost-of-living pressures mounted. According to the latest BankservAfrica Take-home Pay Index (BTPI), the nominal average take-home pay declined by 1.1% month-on-month to R17,144 in July. This marked the fifth consecutive monthly decline and placed the index 6.9% below its February 2025 peak, although still 4.6% higher than in July 2024. The BTPI tracks about 3.8-million monthly salary payments in the formal sector and is considered a barometer of earnings and job market conditions. Adjusted for inflation, real take-home pay also declined in July, down 0.9% month-on-month, but this was still above levels a year-ago. Economist Elize Kruger noted that with inflation forecast to average 3.5% in 2025 – compared to 4.4% in 2024 – and industry information suggesting an average salary increase above 5%, 2025 will be the second consecutive year of a real increase in earnings. But, while inflation has eased, the reality in July for many households did not. The annual increases in municipal service charges, implemented each July, far exceeded both inflation and salary growth – especially in major metros like Joburg. “This trend evident in administered prices will remain a key obstacle to bringing inflation expectations closer to the 3% target,” Kruger noted. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jana Marx at BusinessLive. Read too, SA take-home pay slips again as municipal tariffs climb above inflation, at News24 (subscription / trial registration required)
Stakeholders urged to have their say on national minimum wage adjustments for 2026 The Mercury reports that stakeholders, including business owners and workers, have been urged to submit their views on potential adjustments to the national minimum wage. The National Minimum Wage (NMW) Commission has called on all interested parties to make written submissions for possible adjustments to the NMW for 2026. The Commission advised that it would be providing its annual report and recommendations on a possible adjustment to the NMW to the Minister of Employment and Labour later this year. The NMW is the lowest remuneration rate that employers are obligated and legally permitted to pay their employees for each ordinary hour worked. It is illegal for employers to pay their employees less than the minimum threshold. The NMW was first introduced for implementation in SA in 2019. It is currently fixed at R28.79 for each ordinary hour worked. According to the Department of Employment and Labour, comments on adjustments should reach the Directorate: Employment Standards by 18 September 2025. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at The Mercury
De Lille accused of ‘sacrificing good governance’ after dissolving SA Tourism board ‘to protect suspended CEO’ City Press reports that Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille is accused of sacrificing good governance through dissolving the SA Tourism board, allegedly to protect its suspended CEO, Nombulelo Guliwe. Last week, it was reported that De Lille had given the board a Thursday deadline to explain why it should not be dissolved. She accused the board of acting unlawfully and exceeding its authority by convening a special meeting and suspending Guliwe without following proper procedures. In a statement released on Wednesday, De Lille said the board members had failed to address the important issue about the legality of the procedure the members had followed when the board convened a special meeting on 1 August, at which the unlawful suspension resolution was taken. De Lille, who has been at odds with the board for more than two weeks, sent a letter to all board members on Tuesday to inform them of her dissolution decision. But, a source pointed out that the Auditor-General (AG) had issued serious findings against the entity and the CEO and that the board was acting within its rights by suspending Guliwe because the AG had recommended disciplinary action against her. The board apparently also discovered that Guliwe had suspended four officials after they filed formal complaints accusing her of bullying and unfair labour practices. In a virtual meeting with several tourism companies and agencies, De Lille allegedly said the board had no right to convene and suspend Guliwe. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Norman Masungwini at City Press (subscription / trial registration required). Read too, SA Tourism CEO Nombulelo Guliwe remains suspended amid board upheaval, at IOL News Deputy police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya launches legal challenge against his suspension City Press reports that deputy police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya has launched a legal challenge against his suspension by national commissioner Fannie Masemola, claiming that the suspension order and disciplinary process are “unlawful, biased and inconsistent”. The dispute centers on the controversial disbandment of a specialised political killings task team and allegations of misconduct. Sibiya was instructed to “stay at home” pending the completion of an investigation, but claims this decision lacks legal foundation and proper authority. In a detailed court affidavit filed on Tuesday, Sibiya claims that Masemola violated proper procedures. The affidavit claims: “The national commissioner has, inter alia, run a biased process in which he is a complainant, an implicated party, as well as the decision-maker.” In his responding affidavit, Masemola said he was acting in the best interest of the police service when he placed Sibiya on leave pending an internal investigation into allegations made against him by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Central to the legal argument is whether Masemola had proper authority to initiate the investigation. It is Sibiya’s contention that “the only person who may initiate an investigation into the allegations of misconduct against me is a ‘disciplinary officer’ that the national commissioner is obliged to appoint and designate as such”. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Abram Mashego at City Press (subscription / trial registration required). Read too, Sibiya says Masemola admits he did not follow suspension process, at BusinessLive (subscription / trial registration required) Other internet posting(s) in this news category
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