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 Friday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South
African labour-related reports.
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Ford to retrench hundreds of workers in SA News24 reports that the Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa has announced that it will be retrenching about 470 of its employees, including at its Struandale Engine Plant and the Silverton Assembly Plant. In a statement on Wednesday, Ford said that it regretted the decision and would offer voluntary severance packages to workers. “These changes are part of our ongoing efforts to optimise production and respond to evolving market demands. Ford is committed to transparent and respectful engagement with its employees and is currently consulting with representative unions through the required consultative processes regarding these proposed changes,” it said. The company currently employs 4,535 workers at its assembly plant in Pretoria where it produces its popular Ranger model, and 749 workers at its engine plant in Gqeberha. Trade union Solidarity confirmed that Ford had sent a notice to unions and workers, informing them that workers would be retrenched. The union said that 391 operator positions in Silverton, 73 at Struandale, and 10 administrative positions would be impacted. The union’s deputy secretary-general Willie Venter commented: “We see this announcement as possibly the beginning of greater job losses facing the entire automotive industry in South Africa.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Na'ilah Ebrahim at News24 (subscription / trial registration required). Read too, Ford cutting jobs in South Africa, at Daily Investor Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Court blow for opponents of employment equity sectoral targets News24 reports that the North Gauteng High Court has ruled against the application by the National Employers’ Association of SA (Neasa) and Sakeliga to interdict implementation of new sectoral employment equity (EE) targets. Amendments to the Employment Equity Act, which came into effect earlier this year, empower Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) Minister Nomakhosazana Meth to set numerical EE targets by sector. Employers will have to report based on new regulations, which were published in April and contain numerical targets for employment sectors, from 1 September. Pending a later review application, Neasa, which represents about 7,000 employers in different sectors, and business lobby group Sakeliga initiated court action in July seeking an interim order to suspend the regulations, calling them unlawful, irrational and harmful. But in a ruling on Thursday, Judge Graham Moshoana said the application could not be granted as the “proverbial horse has bolted”, namely that Meth had already exercised her statutory powers in April. An interdict would therefore not be appropriate, as it could not undo an action that had already been completed. “An interdict would necessarily call for the unscrambling of an egg, as it were,” said the judge. He further held that the minister had acted within her rights to enforce sectoral targets. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Aurelia Mouton at News24 (subscription / trial registration required). Read too, Employers lose bid to suspend new labour regulations, at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
Tshwane mayor Nasiphi Moya says she will return R270,000 she was overpaid TimesLIVE reports that Tshwane mayor Nasiphi Moya says she will make arrangements to repay about R270,000 that she was overpaid during her tenure as head of the chief whip’s office in the metro and as chief of staff to former mayor Stevens Mokgalapa. This after it was revealed that 78 group heads and divisional heads were overpaid in salaries and benefits, including lump-sum payments, in the 2019/20 financial year. Most of the officials who had received the undue payments had already paid back the money, or made payment arrangements with the city, said Jacqui Uys, the DA Tshwane finance spokesperson. The party, which has been pressing the mayor on the matter, said it had received a letter from her on Wednesday confirming she was one of the officials who had not yet repaid the money, but that she would make arrangements to do so. “The DA will continue to monitor the matter to ensure that payments are made,” Uys said. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at BusinessLive. Lees ook, Moya sê sy sal verskuldigde R270,000 opdok, by Maroela Media
SGB urges action against KZN principal amid work-to-rule campaign at Westville Senior Primary The Mercury reports that the school governing body (SGB) at the Westville Senior Primary School has demanded the immediate suspension of the principal. Meanwhile, some of the staff embarked on work-to-rule action this week. In a legal letter to the education department, the SGB said it was “patently clear” that the principal should have faced charges of serious misconduct in respect of allegations of victimisation and humiliation of staff, sexist remarks, and theft of school property. The letter demanded the principal's immediate suspension and institution of disciplinary charges and indicated that, failing which, the SGB “will approach the High Court for an order to compel you to do so.” On Friday, the SGB informed parents that 51 of the school’s 61 staff members would join a “work-to-rule” campaign. The three-day action from Monday ended on Wednesday. In terms of the work-to-rule, the staff were not available for duties or classes outside of the standard school day hours. The demand for the suspension of the headmaster follows years of growing frustration among parents over what they describe as the department’s failure to act. In May 2024, parents staged a protest outside the school, citing more than 50 unresolved complaints dating back to 2023. Allegations ranged from financial mismanagement and procedural misconduct to the unilateral dropping of isiZulu as a first additional language. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Siphesihle Buthelezi at The Mercury
Manamela to face MPs in September over Seta administrator appointments News24 reports that Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) Minister Buti Manamela will appear before MPs next month to explain his questionable Sector Education Training Authority (Seta) administrator appointments. The DHET has been embroiled in administrative frenzy after former minister Nobuhle Nkabane was accused of misleading Parliament regarding the names of people who allegedly served on an advisory panel she claimed assisted her with the appointments of Seta board chairpersons earlier this year. In May, Nkabane withdrew the appointments after a public outcry that the appointees were ANC-aligned. President Cyril Ramaphosa fired Nkabane as minister in July, replacing her with Manamela, who had served as her deputy minister. Since taking office, Manamela has put three Setas under administration and appointed three administrators to run them. However, the DA has questioned their credentials, claiming the administrators had a history of corruption and should not have been appointed. One of them, Oupa Nkoane, who was appointed to lead the Construction Seta, indicated that he only read about his appointment in the media and had not received an appointment letter from the department, nor had he met with any officials. Nkoane denied any wrongdoing. While he has insisted 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. The PSC will provide its report and recommendations for him to act upon. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jason Felix at News24 (subscription / trial registration required)
PSA wants Godongwana to fast-track GPAA forensic investigation Engineering News reports that the Public Servants Association (PSA) on Thursday urged Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana to fast-track the forensic investigation into the Government Pensions Administration Agency (GPAA) to restore stability and confidence. Last week, Godongwana placed GPAA CEO Kedibone Madiehe on precautionary suspension with full pay, with immediate effect, following allegations of serious misconduct concerning procurement transactions. He appointed National Treasury deputy director-general for corporate services Job Stadi Mngomezulu as acting CEO. The PSA said that while it respected process and the presumption of innocence, the investigation had to be prompt and thorough, with accountability for guilty parties. The PSA, which represents the majority of employees at the GPAA, also pointed out that several GPAA executives and senior managers, including officials in critical roles such as the Chief Financial Officer and Director of Security and Facilities, were directly involved in the gross irregularities that had led to the CEO’s suspension. The trade union highlighted that transparency throughout this process was vital to rebuild trust in the GPAA and to protect the interests of public servants and pensioners who depend on the GPAA’s integrity. Earlier this week, Godongwana assured that there would be minimal disruption to GPAA's operations. He expressed confidence that the investigation and related disciplinary measures could be completed within 60 days. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Engineering News Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Job seekers in KwaDukuza allege extortion in the securing of EPWP employment jobs Daily News reports that in KwaDukuza, an area marked by high unemployment, residents are reportedly subjected to coercive tactics to secure jobs within the Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP). Individuals are allegedly compelled to declare their political affiliations or pay undisclosed fees to be considered for employment opportunities. The EPWP, a national initiative aimed at reducing unemployment, by facilitating jobs in various sectors like street cleaning, community safety, and firefighting. Democratic Alliance (DA) Member of Parliament S’bongiseni Vilakazi says that he intends to pose several parliamentary inquiries regarding instances of collusion and bribery within the programme. He is demanding full disclosure of payments made across the province's EPWP structures and insisting that law enforcement agencies probe these allegations further. Vilakazi highlighted that reports of malpractice within the EPWP “unit” created in the Matjhabeng Local Municipality exemplified the corrupt practices that might also be occurring in KwaZulu-Natal. “This is theft from the unemployed. These programmes are intended to provide temporary income to job-seekers to support their families. Extorting this lifeline turns it into a tool of exploitation and political patronage,” Vilakazi lamented. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sipho Jack at Daily News
Suspended sentences for Free State businesswoman over ghost employee Ters fraud The Citizen reports that a Free State businesswoman and her company have been sentenced by the Phuthaditjhaba Magistrate’s Court after lodging fake Covid-19 Ters claims for 16 ghost employees during the pandemic. Ntsebeng Marygold Moji was convicted for fraud and money laundering related to Covid-19 Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (Ters) payments or her company, Aqua Land and Swimming Services. Moji’s sentencing comes after a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) investigation in 2020. The SIU revealed that her company lodged fake Ters applications with the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) on behalf of 16 people who were not employees. “The UIF subsequently paid R178,128.36 into Aqua Land’s business account,” SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago indicated on Thursday. He said the SIU interviewed one of the ghost employees and confirmed that the person had never been employed by Aqua Land and had never received any payments from the company. For money laundering, Moji received a five-year prison sentence, wholly suspended for five years. The Court also fined Moji’s company R200,000 for theft and a further R200,000 for money laundering, with both fines wholly suspended for five years Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Chulumanco Mahamba at The Citizen
Mkhwanazi wants action against KZN cops over matric dance escort The Citizen reports that KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) police officers who were caught on video using a police vehicle to transport a pupil to a matric dance are facing suspension and disciplinary action. The KZN provincial commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, has directed that the police officers who were seen driving a police van to a matric dance in Estcourt be temporarily removed from operations pending an internal investigation into their conduct. Police said the officers were on duty when they transported a colleague’s child to a matric dance. In the video, the police van is seen with sirens and lights on, and upon stopping, a police officer walks out of the police vehicle with a firearm. The video then cuts to the officers escorting the pupils to a red carpet as other people cheer. By doing so, the officers neglected their core duties of ensuring police visibility, responding to complaints, and keeping residents safe, the police said. “I have instructed the District Commissioner of uThukela to ensure that the immediate commander of the officers involved must take urgent disciplinary steps against them,” Mkhwanazi stated. He added that the state should recover the petrol, time, and vehicle costs from the members involved in the incident. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Chulumanco Mahamba and watch the video clip at The Citizen. Read too, KZN cops pulled from duty over ‘matric dance’ trip, at News24 (subscription / trial registration required)
Commuters left stranded by taxi strike in Ekurhuleni on Thursday SowetanLive reports that commuters in parts of Ekurhuleni, including Katlehong and Germiston, were left stranded on Thursday after the SA National Taxi Council (Santaco) halted taxi operations over the impounding of their vehicles. Santaco Ekurhuleni regional secretary Zweli Mnisi said the decision to suspend services was not taken lightly but was necessary to protect operators from what it described as “selective and unfair law enforcement”. He indicated: “This difficult decision stems from the ongoing impoundment of vehicles, particularly the 10-seater baby buses, which are consistently being targeted for not having operating licences. These licences, however, are no longer being issued by the relevant authorities, leaving operators without any legal recourse.” According to Mnisi, taxi operators were forced to pay fines of up to R5,000 per vehicle to retrieve their impounded taxis, costs which they described as unsustainable and crippling to their businesses. “If your vehicle is compliant, you are not a candidate for our impounding. We do not impound unfairly,” Gauteng roads and transport department spokesperson Lesiba Mpya stated. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nandi Ntini at BusinessLive Fifteen taxi drivers and operators taken in for questioning as tensions rise between taxi and e-hailing drivers in Durban News24 reports that fifteen taxi drivers and owners, suspected to be involved in an altercation between taxi operators and e-hailing drivers in KwaDabeka, Durban, have been taken in for questioning. The confrontation resulted in one e-hailing driver narrowly escaping being shot and another being assaulted. KwaZulu-Natal provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda, confirmed the incident, which occurred on Zaza Road on Wednesday. According to Netshiunda, a group of taxi operators and owners confronted e-hailing drivers who were parked on the side of the road and demanded that they move their vehicles. “During the altercation, a firearm was discharged, and a bullet went through the passenger door of one of the e-hailing vehicles, with the driver inside the vehicle. Another e-hailing driver was also reportedly assaulted during the commotion,” said Netshiunda. Police launched an operation following the incident, leading to 15 suspects being taken in for questioning. The group is believed to include taxi drivers and owners allegedly involved in the attack. Firearms were seized as part of the police operation. Netshiunda assured the public that the situation in KwaDabeka had been stabilised, with police maintaining heightened visibility to restore peace and order. Efforts are underway to facilitate a meeting between taxi industry representatives and e-hailing services to address the conflict. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sakhiseni Nxumalo & Lisalee Solomons at News24 (subscription / trial registration required) Five Ekurhuleni taxi marshals arrested for allegedly giving motorists spot fines of up to R6,000 SowetanLive reports that Ekurhuleni metro police have arrested five taxi marshals who were allegedly giving spot fines of between R3,000 and R6,000 to motorists in Tembisa for using their vehicles to go to the nearby mall. They were allegedly forcing everyone to use taxis rather than their private vehicles or e-hailing services. Spokesperson Thabiso Makgato said the men were arrested when they forcefully seized a metro police officer's vehicle at Mall of Tembisa when he went there to buy groceries. The officer called for back-up and five suspects between the ages of 26 and 30 were arrested. According to Makgato, there have been multiple complaints of a group harassing and intimidating members of the community who were using their personal vehicles for shopping at the Mall of Tembisa. “The modus operandi is that they issue fines of between R3,000 and R6,000 to people using their personal vehicle. The group was detained at Tembisa police station and charged with harassment and intimidation. They are expected to appear at the Tembisa magistrate’s court soon,” said Makgato. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Botho Molosankwe at TimesLIVE Other internet posting(s) in this news category
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