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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Treasury takes over Government Pensions Admin Agency after R1.2bn procurement scandal News24 reports that Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has seconded Stadi Mngomezulu to the Government Pensions Administration Agency (GPAA). He has appointed Mngomezulu to take over as the agency’s acting chief executive officer while Kedibone Madiehe is being investigated for alleged procurement breaches, which cost the GPAA more than R1.2 billion. Mngomezulu is the deputy director-general for corporate services at National Treasury. Following a series of exposés concerning allegations of irregularities in the procurement of an office building to be used for the headquarters of the GPAA, Godongwana on Friday suspended Madiehe while the contracts were being investigated. In a letter to GPAA stakeholders announcing Mngomezulu’s appointment on Sunday, followed by a statement on Monday, Godongwana promised that the matters leading to Madiehe’s investigation would “be addressed promptly and thoroughly”. The GPAA was established in 2010 to provide administration services to the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF), which manages about R3 trillion in the pension assets of civil servants and other parastatals. Without a board of directors, the GPAA chief executive officer reports to the finance minister. As acting CEO, Mngomezulu will have the authority to institute disciplinary action against at least three other GPAA executives implicated in the irregularities for which Madiehe has been suspended. On Sunday, Godongwana said Treasury would ensure minimal disruption to the “critical work” of the GPAA and that all services to pension holders would continue without interruption. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sikonathi Mantshantsha at News24 (subscription / trial registration required)
Numsa signs above-inflation multi-year pay deal for workers covered by Motor Industries Bargaining Council BusinessLive reports that the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) and companies in the motor industry signed a multi-term above-inflation wage deal at the weekend. On Sunday, Numsa spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola confirmed a deal had been reached for increases of up to 6% in the first year, 5% in the second year and 5% in the final year of the agreement. The wage deal is set to benefit more than 300,000 workers falling under the Motor Industries Bargaining Council (MIBCO). The employers at MIBCO are represented by the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI) and the Fuel Retailers Association (FRA). The motor sector comprises employees in component manufacturing companies, fuel stations, car dealerships, tyre shops, aftermarket sales, glass-fitment centres, car cleaning, car parts assembly and panel-beating workshops. It employs about 306,000 workers nationally, of whom about 90,000 are Numsa members. According to the agreement, forecourt attendants will receive increases of 6%, 5% and 4% over the three-year period, while cashiers will receive pay hikes of 6%, 4% and another 4%. The union also secured primary healthcare benefits for the first time for garage workers in the sector. Numsa now wants employment and labour minister Nomakhosazana Meth to ensure “the agreement is speedily gazetted so that it can be extended to non-parties.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinessLive. Read too, Here’s how much extra motor sector workers will receive after wage negotiations, at The Citizen
KZN man killed after he was crushed on Monday by forklift IOL News reports that a KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) man was killed after he was crushed by a forklift on Piet Retief Road in Queensburgh, West of Durban. The incident occurred on Monday just before 4pm. ALS Paramedics Medical Services spokesperson Garrith Jamieson said they arrived on the scene to find that a forklift had somehow overturned while in operation before crushing the driver. "Paramedics quickly assessed the driver, a male believed to be in his thirties, however, he had sustained fatal injuries and there was nothing more Paramedics could do for him, and he was declared deceased at the scene," Jamieson reported. The cause of the accident is still unknown. Police members were on the scene and will be investigating further. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Sinenhlanhla Masilela at IOL News Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Numsa plans to intensify its Macsteel strike over ‘hostile retrenchments’ EWN reports that the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) plans to intensify its strike at steel supplier Macsteel over what it has labelled as hostile retrenchments. The strike entered its fourth day on Monday, after workers downed tools on Friday. Numsa has accused the company of forcefully retrenching workers and issuing voluntary severance packages without consulting the union. According to Numsa spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola, the section 189 retrenchment process was a sham. Ahead of a meeting with Macsteel’s management on Monday, the union said it was demanding immediate reinstatement of forcefully retrenched workers, fair and improved severance packages and transparent retrenchment criteria. Read the full original of the short report in the above regard by Nokukhanya Mntambo at EWN. Lees ook, Numsa woedend oor Macsteel-afleggings, by Maroela Media
Five bodies with gunshot wounds found at North West open-cast mine SowetanLive reports that North West police have launched an investigation following the discovery of the bodies of five men with gunshot wounds at an open-cast mine in Tlhatlaganyane village, near Sun City, on Monday. It is believed that the killings could be linked to illegal mining activities, and their discovery followed a shooting that was reported in the area on Sunday. Police spokesperson Brig Sabata Mokgwaabone indicated on Monday: "The team is currently at the scene to gather information and evidence that would not only help unravel the cause of the murders, but also help identify the perpetrators." According to Mokgwaabone, there had been complaints of illegal mining in the area, and it had previously been visited by members of the parliamentary portfolio committees on police, home affairs and minerals resources & energy. "It cannot at this point in time be speculated or even ruled out that the killings are linked to the rival mining operations. As such, the police will conduct an extensive investigation that will ensure that those responsible are identified and arrested," Mokgwaabone indicated. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Herman Moloi at SowetanLive. See too, North West cops combing through scene where five bodies were discovered, at EWN
Trade union Saccawu warns that Shoprite’s smart trolleys could displace cashiers BL Premium reports that retailer Shoprite is facing mounting scrutiny over the rollout of its smart trolleys being piloted in the Western Cape. On Monday, the SA Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers’ Union (Saccawu) raised its concern and warned that the technology could displace thousands of cashiers. Last week, Shoprite announced the trial of the Xpress Trolley, SA’s first smart shopping. The cart allows customers to scan items, track a running total and pay directly on the trolley without going through a traditional till point. The pilot is limited to two Checkers stores in the Western Cape. While Shoprite insists the innovation poses no threat to jobs, Saccawu claims it could have severe consequences for front-line workers. “All cashiers will be displaced by this technology. This poses a huge risk which will see a number of these cashiers joining the already burgeoning unemployment queue in the country,” the union said. Saccawu, which represents the majority of workers at Shoprite and other retailers, pointed out that the retailer employed more than 120,000 people, many of them part-time casuals, and accused the company of failing to consult before introducing the new technology. Saccawu said it would approach Shoprite to formally discuss the effect of smart trolleys on cashiers and press the company to consider alternatives that safeguarded employment. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nompilo Goba at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
Mangaung’s R470m overtime abuse included payments to a prisoner News24 reports that the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality’s latest annual report, covering the 2023/24 financial year, revealed that the municipality paid overtime to a sewer cleaner, while he was in jail, although the report did not specify the amount of the overtime paid. “The employee was incarcerated, and during his stay at a correctional facility, he was receiving overtime and also signing his own timesheet. The employee has not been charged yet. We have not yet appointed the presiding officer and employer [representative] yet,” the annual report indicated. The report also showed that the council later suspended the supervisor and superintendent to whom the jailed employee reported. Data gathered from budget and expenditure records, councillors, and annual reports shows that in the last two years, the municipality splurged R470 million on overtime pay when it had only budgeted R160 million for that purpose. The metro, which the Cabinet put under administration in 2022 due to financial and service delivery failures, received a qualified audit opinion because the Auditor-General could not ascertain whether the overtime paid was due to the employees who claimed it. The DA’s finance spokesperson in the metro, Frans Bothma, said the municipality and its entities had seen a significant spike in overtime pay in recent years. Overtime expenditure paid by Mangaung increased from more than R204 million in the 2022/23 financial year to R246 million in 2023/24 year, he noted. “If one also considers that this unauthorised expenditure happened across most departments, it is clear that this is a systemic problem and, unfortunately, part of the culture of financial mismanagement and impropriety that has come to characterise governance under the ANC in Mangaung,” said Bothma. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sipho Masondo at News24 (subscription / trial registration required) Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Buti Manamela faces legal threats from two Setas over administrator appointments News24 reports that Buti Manalema is facing threats of legal action just weeks after taking office as Department of Higher Education & Training (DHET) Minister over appointments to some Sector Education and Training Authorities (Setas). Manamela appointed Lehlohonolo Masoga, Oupa Nkoane and Zukile Mvalo as administrators of the services, construction, and local government Setas, respectively. He said that, amongst other aims, they were expected to restore governance and financial integrity in line with the Public Finance Management Act. However, Ineeleng Molete, the current chief executive of the local government Seta, has instructed his lawyers to write to Manamela about the administrator appointed in his place and has demanded that Manamela rescind that appointment. Manamela had until Monday to respond to Molete’s demand. Meanwhile, Malusi Shezi, the CEO of the construction Seta, said allegations of non-performance and financial mismanagement had previously been raised and addressed comprehensively. He has demanded that the decision to place his Seta under administration be withdrawn. While he insists that due process was followed, Manamela has since referred his appointment of the three administrators to the Public Service Commission (PSC) to conduct fit-and-proper assessments and conflict-of-interest vetting of the administrators. The PSC will provide its report and recommendations for Manamela to act upon. In addition, each of the three Setas under administration has been directed to publish a 90-day stabilisation plan with clear and measurable indicators. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jason Felix at News24 (subscription / trial registration required)
BHF launches new legal action over parliament’s handling of NHI Act TimesLIVE Premium reports that the Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF) has launched a fresh legal bid to overturn the National Health Insurance (NHI) Act. It has asked the Constitutional Court to declare the legislation unlawful and invalid on the grounds that parliament failed to conduct a proper public consultation process. NHI is the ANC’s plan for universal health coverage and envisages a single, government-controlled health-care system that will provide services free at the point of delivery to all eligible patients. The NHI Act was signed into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa in May 2024, but has yet to be brought into effect. The BHF had already challenged the NHI Act in the High Court in Pretoria regarding Ramaphosa’s decision to assent to the act. It has now turned its sights on parliament, contending that MPs failed to meet their constitutional obligation to ensure meaningful public participation because they made no material changes to the legislation despite extensive input from a wide range of stakeholders, including the BHF. It argues that the two houses of parliament conducted a “tick box” exercise, using their ANC majority at the time to muscle through deeply flawed legislation. Parliament’s failure to interrogate the financial implications of NHI was irrational and in effect gave the scheme a blank cheque, BHF MD Katlego Mothudi said in court papers. It was passed despite warnings that the scale of the tax increases required to fund NHI was unfeasible, and without updating the financial modelling conducted for the NHI green paper in 2010, Mothudi noted. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tamar Kahn at TimesLIVE Premium (subscriber access only)
Masemola stands firm on disciplinary action against Sibiya News24 reports that national police commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, appears unwilling to budge on the decision to forge ahead with disciplinary action against embattled deputy national police commissioner for crime detection, Shadrack Sibiya. Last week, Masemola wrote to Sibiya to notify him that his “suspension or temporary transfer” was being considered. Sibiya’s lawyers responded with a demand that the notice be withdrawn. The Office of the State Attorney then replied: “Our clients are acting in accordance with their disciplinary processes and procedures and will continue to do so until ordered by the court to the contrary”. Sibiya was first of all ordered last month to stay home pending an investigation. This, after KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, implicated Sibiya in allegations that the country’s criminal justice system had been captured. Sibiya then approached the North Gauteng High Court on an urgent basis, in a bid to return to work. He argued that the only precautionary measures permitted in terms of the SAPS’ discipline regulations were a suspension or temporary transfer and even then, he had to be afforded an opportunity to make representations first. Against this backdrop, he maintained, Masemola had gone “beyond the scope of his powers and/or statutory authority”. The notice Sibiya was served with, his letter and the State Attorney’s response have all been submitted to the court – along with a new affidavit from Sibiya – ahead of the hearing of the case scheduled for 26 August 2025. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Bernadette Wicks at News24 (subscription / trial registration required). Read too, Sibiya to fight Masemola’s leave order in court, at SABC News
SIU uncovers 111 officials implicated in major corruption syndicates at Tembisa Hospital IOL News reports that the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has confirmed that unlawfully obtained contracts at the Tembisa Tertiary Hospital will be cancelled following the discovery of more than 111 officials implicated in four corruption syndicates. SIU head Advocate Andy Mothibi said there were disciplinary processes currently underway relating to several syndicates linked to corruption at the hospital uncovered by the probe. The probe followed the murder of whistleblower and employee of the Gauteng Health Department, Babita Deokaran, in August 2021. Mothibi added that assets worth billions would be seized and recovered in the process. "Our investigation has uncovered more than 111 officials who have been colluding with these syndicates. There might still be more. We have sent all these to the Department of Health. We expect that action will be taken and in some instances, the department has taken action, and we are pleased about that," he indicated. "We are talking billions of rands that have been stolen. We are going to make sure that we recover and ensure that all those assets that have been obtained corruptly are seized and returned to the state, and the money is used for a good cause and public interest," Mothibi added. This past Saturday marked four years since Babita’s Deokaran's death – she was gunned down for exposing tender corruption at Tembisa Hospital. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Siyabonga Sithole at IOL News Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Three Mpumalanga cops arrested for allegedly killing motorist after collision News24 reports that three police officers have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the suspicious death of a 33-year-old motorist following a multi-vehicle accident in Embalenhle, Mpumalanga. The motorist was involved in an accident on 17 August, and the officers attended the collision scene. According to the police, the motorist was “somehow” transported to hospital following the collision, where he was certified dead on arrival. Police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli advised that following an intensive investigation, three SA Police Service (SAPS) members, aged between 32 and 35, were arrested on Monday in connection with the case. “The three officers are facing charges of murder and defeating the ends of justice after allegations emerged that the man was allegedly assaulted shortly after the collision, which could have somehow contributed to his death,” Mdhluli indicated. The officers are expected to appear in court on Tuesday. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Noxolo Sibiya at News24 (subscription / trial registration required)
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