In our Thursday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South
African labour-related reports.
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Job-seekers to get free Uber rides to interviews ITWeb reports that with transport costs often cited among the key barriers in young people’s pursuit of employment, a new initiative is looking to overcome that obstacle. Uber SA and employment accelerator Harambee on Wednesday announced a partnership that will see the former provide 100,000 rides to job-seekers going to interviews. In addition, the partnership aims to support 10,000 young people to access earning opportunities on the Uber platform. The launch event brought together officials from the Department of Employment and Labour, the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention, Harambee, as well as various stakeholders. According to Uber SA, the collaboration is designed to tackle some of the most pressing barriers young people face in finding work, such as the cost of transport, access to earning opportunities and limited skills. Deepesh Thomas, GM for Uber Sub-Saharan Africa, indicated: “Transportation is what we specialise in, and we don’t want that, in terms of affordability and accessibility, to be one of the areas where there’s a barrier to someone getting an earnings opportunity. So, we have pledged 100,000 trips to and from earning opportunities on the Harambee app. This will be facilitated by Harambee – the app is data-free. When a job-seeker registers on the profile, Harambee will be able to distribute vouchers for specific job interviews where Uber will fund the ride.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Simnikiwe Mzekandaba at ITWeb Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Teenager and alleged accomplice face murder charges over death of Beaufort West police officer Cape Times reports that two suspects, one of whom is a 15-year-old boy, appeared in the Beaufort West Magistrate’s Court for the murder of a police officer. Siyamthanda Mafata, 20, and the 15-year-old allegedly murdered Constable Courtlin Lakay, 23, who was stationed at the Beaufort West police station. The 15-year-old boy cannot be named as he is a minor. The matter was postponed as the State was still looking for a suitable accommodation to house the juvenile accused. The court had ordered both suspects to remain in custody. According to Hawks spokesperson Zinzi Hani, the police constable was off duty at the time of the incident. “It is reported that on Sunday, August 24, 2025, members responded to an incident at a place of entertainment in Gaba Road, Kwa-Mandlenkosi in Beaufort West, where, upon arrival, they found the body of the deceased officer with a stab wound on his back. The accused fled the scene on foot, and Constable Lakay was declared dead on the scene,” Hani indicated. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Robin-Lee Francke at Cape Times
As violence erupts in KZN schools, parents and teacher union demand action The Mercury reports that the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) department of education has expressed alarm over a series of violent and criminal incidents involving learners at schools, while parents and teacher unions have called for urgent and decisive action to restore discipline. On Friday, a 17-year-old Grade 10 pupil at Trenance Park Secondary School in Verulam was stabbed in the neck during an altercation with fellow learners. The boy who had a large kitchen knife protruding from the back of his neck was stabilised by paramedics before being taken to hospital, where he underwent surgery and is now recovering. A 14-year-old pupil was arrested for the incident. In a separate incident on the same day, a mass brawl broke out among learners from Esther Payne Smith Secondary School in Northdale. Two learners, aged 15 and 17, with lacerations to the head and legs received on-site treatment before being taken to hospital, while another learner, believed to be responsible, was apprehended. Vee Gani of the KZN Parents Association said parents were increasingly worried when sending their children to school. The National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of SA (Naptosa) called for stronger law enforcement involvement. “Schools must involve law enforcement through having random searches for weapons, and the schools must on a regular basis invite SAPS to give talks in the assembly. Learners must understand that they will be arrested and possibly imprisoned. The harsh realities of violence must be understood by our learners,” the union indicated. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Siphesihle Buthelezi at The Mercury
Intensive Energy Users Group laments crippling electricity prices, as NUM warns of ferrochrome job losses Business Report writes that the Intensive Energy Users Group (EIUG) has released a stark warning regarding the ongoing challenges posed by remarkably high electricity prices in SA. This has come alongside alarming revelations from the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), which has echoed the concerns in relation to potential retrenchments by major mining industry producers Glencore and Samancor. The anticipation of job losses at SA ferrochrome operations is attributed largely to economic strains, particularly escalating electricity tariffs and a downturn in ferrochrome prices. NUM chief negotiator Lefty Mashego expressed profound concern over unofficial hints from management at both companies during ongoing negotiations. He stated: "The NUM urges these companies to reconsider their commitment to South Africa. Should they decide they are no longer able to operate, we call on them to surrender their mining and operating licenses. The jobs at the 10 smelters – including Glencore’s Boshoek, Wonderkop, and Lion facilities, and Samancor’s Ferrometals, Middelburg Ferrochrome, Tubatse Ferrochrome, Tubatse Alloys, Dikwena, and TC Smelter – are vital to the economic stability of the communities that depend on them." In a parallel response, the EIUG affirmed that electricity prices have been an ongoing challenge for its members, especially in that Eskom had implemented numerous double-digit price increases over the past two decades. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Banele Ginindza at Business Report
Denel faces union NUM’s fury over R500,000 pay hike for suspended official Sunday World reports that according to the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), an employee at the Denel Corporate Office (DCO) allegedly received a salary increase of nearly R500,000 – immediately after being suspended – while rank-and-file workers have been left struggling to survive on poverty wages. NUM’s outrage was made clear in a lengthy letter sent to CEO Tsepo Monaheng on 18 August, in which the union accused him of allowing glaring salary inequalities, governance failures, and other alleged irregularities to fester on his watch. The NUM’s Mpho Hlongwane claimed that while employees have not received the salary increases previously undertaken on 28 November 2024, management found money to boost a single suspended employee’s pay by almost half a million rand. The union furthermore pointed out that “there is also a contractor who received a salary increase, and both the aforementioned are within the Finance department at DCO.” The NUM’s letter outlines an alleged pattern of broken promises by Denel management. Repeatedly, the union says, commitments to improve pay and conditions have been made and ignored. “Despite repeated engagements and representations by this union, it is our view that Denel has failed to present or implement any tangible and lawful plans to secure its recovery plan as a strategic state-owned asset,” the letter notes. The NUM ends its letter with a demand: “In the circumstances, NUM hereby demands that you provide a formal and comprehensive response, setting out the measures you intend to adopt to remedy the above violations, since our members have lost trust and confidence in your leadership.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Setumo Stone at Sunday World
Deputy Minister cracks down on influencers linked to Russian ‘Alabunga jobs’ scam The Citizen reports that Deputy Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Steve Letsike, has confirmed that government has compiled a list of local social media influencers implicated in the notorious Russian Alabunga jobs scam. According to Letsike, the matter is now in the hands of law enforcement for criminal investigation. This follows widespread outrage over the scam, which promised desperate jobseekers lucrative opportunities abroad but left many stranded and defrauded. “These are people who used their platforms to lure unsuspecting youth into believing there were legitimate opportunities in Russia. They knowingly or unknowingly contributed to this scam, and we will ensure accountability,” Letsike said. The lure of Russian jobs gained traction earlier this year through flashy adverts and influencer-led promotions on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. Jobseekers were promised high-paying hospitality and teaching roles in Russia, with ‘Alabunga’ acting as the supposed recruitment gateway. Many victims paid upfront “processing fees” only to discover no such jobs existed. “Our priority is to protect young people from exploitation, particularly in an era where social media plays such a powerful role in shaping decisions,” Letsike noted. The deputy minister revealed that her department was engaging with Russian authorities to clarify the matter. Advocacy groups have welcomed the government’s tough stance, urging for swifter arrests of influencers who profited from the scheme. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Thami Kwazi at The Citizen
Call for whistleblower protection fund after suspension at government pensions agency Moneyweb reports that according to Nicolaas van Wyk, CEO of the Chartered Institute for Business Accountants (Ciba), the suspension of a financial manager at the Government Pensions Administration Agency (GPAA) after he raised concerns about alleged irregularities has highlighted the need for stronger protection for whistleblowers. In the wake of the incident and an industry outcry, Ciba has put forward a plan to establish a dedicated whistleblower protection fund in SA to provide legal, financial and psychological support for finance professionals who expose corruption and irregularities. Van Wyk believes the financial profession and company administrators should contribute to such a fund, which could cover legal costs, temporary income, and trauma counselling for whistleblowers who often face dismissal or intimidation after coming forward. It was reported earlier this week that Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana had placed GPAA CEO Kedibone Madiehe on precautionary suspension over allegations of serious misconduct relating to high-value transactions. The Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration recently flagged that internal whistleblowers – notably a financial manager who objected to a R21 million payment – faced reprisals instead of having their concerns addressed. Van Wyk proposes that the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) impose a compulsory levy of around R200 per year, which could potentially generate hundreds of millions of rands to provide legal and financial support for whistleblowers. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Liesl Peyper at Moneyweb
Cosatu calls for amended tobacco bill, crackdown on illicit cigarette trade BusinessLive reports that labour federation Cosatu has urged parliament to insert new provisions in the draft tobacco bill to tackle the illicit trade in cigarettes, including systems to track these products from factory gate to point of sale. This as manufacturers of illicit cigarettes continue to evade excise tax, enabling them to undercut the prices charged by tax-compliant producers. The tobacco industry estimates SA’s rapidly growing illicit cigarette market constitutes more than 70% of the market, costing the SA Revenue Service (Sars) more than R30bn a year in forgone tax revenue. “It is beyond disappointing that the department of health has failed to exploit this bill to further empower the state, in particular Sars and law enforcement, to tackle this criminal pandemic by requiring the tracking and tracing of tobacco and related products,” Cosatu said. Parliament’s portfolio committee on health is holding public hearings on the Tobacco Products & Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill. A wide range of stakeholders have argued that must crack down on the illicit cigarette trade. Cosatu’s parliamentary co-ordinator, Matthew Parks pointed out that the bill was silent on the illicit trade, but said parliament could insert new provisions in the bill to deal with that issue. The National Council Against Smoking said in its submission last week that the key drivers of the illicit trade were corruption, criminality, weak tax administration and poor enforcement. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tamar Kahn at BusinessLive
Sakeliga launches legal action against NHI Act over cost and viability BL Premium reports that business lobby group Sakeliga has taken legal action against the National Health Insurance (NHI) Act, arguing it is unaffordable and unviable in SA’s economic climate. The group has asked the Pretoria High Court to declare the Act unconstitutional and invalid, and to set it aside on the grounds that it is not rationally connected to its purpose.. The government would need an extra R500bn a year to implement NHI, requiring an “unthinkable” 30% increase in income tax rates, claimed Sakeliga, citing research commissioned from the economics consultancy PriceMetrics. According to Sakeliga, there was no viable way to finance NHI. “If the government tried to fund the NHI out of existing taxes and borrowing, it would have to make debilitating cuts to other government services and spending obligations, and raise government borrowing from already unsustainable levels, precipitating fiscal collapse and severe financial and economic harm,” it said. Sakeliga is the seventh organisation to take aim at the NHI Act, which seeks to realise the ANC’s plan for universal health coverage with extensive reforms to SA’s health system. Trade union Solidarity and organisations representing medical schemes, doctors and specialists have also launched legal action against the controversial legislation, which was signed into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa in May 2024 but has yet to be brought into effect. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tamar Kahn at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
Eastern Cape education department spin doctors suspended over bullying and harassment allegations Daily Dispatch reports that the Eastern Cape education department has suspended its two spin doctors, Vuyiseka Mboxela and Velani Mbiza-Gola, over bullying and harassment allegations. On Wednesday, the department announced that an independent investigation team would be appointed to lead a probe. Both employees have been put on precautionary suspension pending the finalisation of the investigation. The suspensions follow media reports relating to Mboxela and Mbiza-Gola, who are alleged to have engaged in misconduct relating to harassment. In April, Mbiza-Gola was appointed education MEC Fundile Gade’s media liaison officer, taking over from department communication director Mboxela. It was reported last week that a complaint had been formally lodged with the department’s labour relations desk against Mbiza-Gola, alleging that he manhandled provincial education communications office assistant director Nomava Ncapayi. That led to the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) staging a protest at the provincial education headquarters in Zwelitsha, Qonce, calling for Mbiza-Gola’s suspension. On Wednesday evening, Mboxela confirmed she had been suspended, but would not comment further. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Vuyolwethu Sangotsha at Daily Dispatch
Fraud case against suspended Msunduzi salary clerk postponed The Witness reports that a Msunduzi Municipality who had been employed as a salary clerk in the municipality’s finance section appeared in the Pietermaritzburg District Court on Tuesday on 52 counts of fraud and money laundering. He allegedly siphoning off over R900,000 from the City through unauthorised salary payments. Andile Mkhize is currently on suspension with full pay. The case was postponed to 8 September due to the ill health of Mkhize’s lawyer. Mkhize allegedly abused his access to municipal systems and staff information, such as personal and banking details, to divert funds fraudulently between 2018 and 2020. He allegedly submitted fraudulent claims on behalf of Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) workers and a ward committee member, falsely indicating they had performed work for the municipality. A source with direct knowledge of the matter said the fraud was first flagged in 2020, leading to Mkhize’s initial suspension. However, he was called back shortly after that and allegedly continued with fraudulent activity. A recent internal forensic audit report found an issue with the city’s the lack of strict control measures to protect its systems. The report, which has not yet been acted upon, called for the urgent implementation of tighter internal controls, including the segregation of duties and better password protection protocols. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Chris Ndaliso at The Witness Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Violence flares in KZN transport sector as e-hailing drivers shot and assaulted in Durban News24 reports that tensions in KwaZulu-Natal’s public transport sector have resurfaced after two e-hailing drivers were shot and assaulted in KK Section, KwaDabeka, in Durban on Tuesday. The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, confirmed the attack and vowed to work with provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and the KwaZulu-Natal e-Hailing Council to prevent further bloodshed. “This incident is deeply concerning. We will act decisively to restore peace and stability,” said Duma. He directed law enforcement to intensify operations in e-hailing hotspots, warning that the province could not afford a repeat of violent clashes similar to those seen at Maponya Mall in Johannesburg recently. Last week, the MEC’s office held preliminary talks with the e-hailing council in Durban to pave the way for a broader meeting with the provincial regulatory entity, Uber, Bolt and other stakeholders. The engagements were part of the government’s preparations for the implementation of the amended National Land Transport Amendment Act, which will introduce formal regulation of the e-hailing sector. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sakhiseni Nxumalo at News24 (subscription / trial registration required). See too, Two e-hailing drivers shot, assaulted in KZN, at SABC News Other internet posting(s) in this news category
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