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 roundup of weekend and recent reports,
see the following summaries of our selection of
South African labour-related articles.
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Despite court battles, firms obliged from Monday to comply with new employment equity rules BL Premium reports that Monday marks the first day for employers in different sectors across the country to start reporting according to the government’s new employment equity (EE) regulations. This is notwithstanding pending legal challenges. The National Employers’ Association of SA (Neasa) and Sakeliga last week lost an urgent legal challenge in the Pretoria High Court where they sought an interim order to suspend the EE regulations pending a review application. This means from 1 September employers will have to report based on the new regulations, with numerical targets for employment sectors. The regulations were published in April after the Employment Equity Amendment Act (EEAA) came into effect in January. Neasa and Sakeliga have vowed to appeal the High Court ruling directly to the Constitutional Court. While the legal battle continues, the act and regulations remain lawful until overturned. The 2025 employment equity reporting period opens on 1 September and closes on 15 January. In dismissing the urgent application, Judge Graham Moshoana pointed out that an interdict was not an appropriate remedy in the circumstances of the case. Employment & Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth commented as follows: “This ruling is a victory for equity, justice and the rule of law. It affirms that the department has acted within its legal mandate to advance transformation in the workplace. We urge all employers to comply with the employment equity regulations and to prepare for the submission of their 2025 reports. The time for meaningful change is now.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sinesipho Schrieber at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
Pietermaritzburg waste management strike turns messy – but clean-up is underway News24 reports that Pietermaritzburg’s city centre descended into chaos on Friday as a growing municipal workers’ strike over salaries left the streets littered with piles of refuse. What began as blockades at municipal depots escalated dramatically, with disgruntled workers scattering rubbish across pavements in the CBD. The strike, which began at the KaMagwayi Waste Management Depot, was initiated by workers demanding permanent employment, fair wages, and adequate personal protective equipment (PPE). The situation intensified when some striking workers dumped rubbish onto the city streets to underline their grievances. The Msunduzi Municipality condemned the unlawful conduct of the striking participants in the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP). According to spokesperson Ntobeko Mkhize, the municipality had since obtained an urgent interdict from the Labour Court, prohibiting unlawful conduct, violence, and interference with municipal activities. She said legal processes were underway to ensure that perpetrators were held accountable. Meanwhile, several protesting workers claimed they felt overlooked and undervalued by the municipality. They expressed frustration over being on short-term contracts for years while doing the same work as permanent employees but earning significantly less and lacking job security. Despite warnings from the municipality and the Labour Court’s intervention, some workers have vowed to continue their protests until their demands were met. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sakhiseni Nxumalo at News24 (subscription / trial registration required). Read too, Urgent clean-up operation launched by Msunduzi Municipality following waste management strike, at IOL News
Solidarity heads to US again to lobby against 30% import tariffs City Press reports that Jaco Kleynhans, the head of public relations at Solidarity, and Werner Human, the operational head of the movement will travel to the US on 14 September to fill what the organisation calls the “diplomatic gap” left by the ANC government. They will be there until October. This will be Solidarity’s second trip to the US this year. They were also there in February. That visit was condemned by the SA government at the time. Vincent Magwenya, spokesperson for President Cyril Ramaphosa, said the latest visit was “yet another disinformation campaign”. But, Kleynhans pointed out that Solidarity already sent a letter to Ramaphosa on 1 August this year, pleading for cooperation in the fight against import tariffs on the part of the US. He said: “So I ask again that Magwenya show statesmanship and take up Solidarity’s offer. Work with us in the interest of all of South Africa.” According to Dirk Hermann, the executive head of Solidarity, the trade union was left with no other choice but to go to the US again because they were concerned that the government was not making any serious effort to convince Trump’s government that SA should be exempted from the 30% import tariffs announced on 1 August. Solidarity’s mission will include making a proposal to the White House for an executive order to exempt certain industries from tariffs. According to Hermann, the effect of tariffs was already being felt in export markets, such as the motor industry. He referred to Ford’s announcement last week that 470 jobs would be cut at two of its factories in SA. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Dawie Boonzaaier at City Press (subscription / trial registration required) Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Richards Bay Minerals’ future uncertain as Rio Tinto puts it under strategic review News24 reports that Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) faces an uncertain future amidst a shake-up at its giant mining owner, Rio Tinto. Last week, RBM was classed as part of the group’s “non-core” businesses and put on strategic review. Typically, this means a company may be put on the chopping block to be sold, closed or downscaled. RBM hosts the largest titanium smelter in the southern hemisphere and employs almost 5,000 people. It mines the Zulti North mineral sands deposit on the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) coast, and is a critical supplier of titanium dioxide, pig iron, and zircon. RBM spends some R1 billion every month and is the largest single taxpayer in KZN. Last week, Rio Tinto, the world’s second-largest mining company, announced a new operating model and executive team “to shape the company’s next chapter”. Effective immediately, Rio Tinto will simplify its product group structure to three businesses, namely iron ore, aluminium and lithium; and copper. The group classed Rio Tinto’s Borates and Iron and Titanium businesses – under which RBM falls — as “non-core”, and it will move to the Chief Commercial Officer’s portfolio for strategic review. “An update will be provided on the outcome of these reviews in due course. Throughout this review process, these businesses will continue to focus on running safely and profitably to meet customer commitments,” Rio Tinto indicated. The shake-up came just two days after Simon Trott took up the role of Rio Tinto CEO. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lisa Steyn at News24 (subscription / trial registration required). Read too, Rio Tinto set to exit SA in major reset under new CEO, at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
‘One woman, one hectare’, female farmworkers demand as they march for land redistribution and moratorium on farm evictions News24 reports that dozens of women farm workers marched from Hanover Street to Parliament on Thursday, demanding accelerated land redistribution and a moratorium on farm evictions. The delivery of a memorandum of demands to the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform capped off the annual National Farmworker Platform held in Cape Town last week. Demands included a sweeping land‑justice package including an immediate moratorium on farm evictions, a ban on hazardous pesticides and land redistribution legislation that prioritised women. According to the Women on Farms Project (WFP), women should be prioritised because agricultural land ownership in SA continued to favour white people, especially men. “One woman, one hectare,” a slogan emblazoned on dozens of shirts, was a twist on the “one household, one hectare” programme previously launched by the government to deal with landlessness in rural communities. The memo called for the acquisition and expropriation of land for redistribution, with unused commercial farmland and the land of multiple farm owners listed as starting points. The group said it was prepared to occupy departmental offices if it did not receive a satisfactory response to its demands. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Storm Simpson and view video footage at News24. Read too, Give us each a hectare of land, say women farm workers, at GroundUp
NPA issues moratorium on prosecution of sex workers pending court ruling on decriminalisation EWN reports that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has issued a moratorium on the prosecution of sex workers pending a court decision on the decriminalisation of sex work. This coming week, the Western Cape High Court will hear legal arguments that could reshape the status of sex work in the country. The case lodged by the Sex Workers Education and Advocacy Taskforce (SWEAT) challenges the criminalisation of sex work as unconstitutional. According to SWEAT spokesperson Megan Lessing, the decriminalisation of sex work was already part of government policy. "It is part of the national strategic plan to address gender-based violence and it’s also part of government policy in terms addressing the HIV infection rate," she pointed out. Lessing said this was the reason why the Department of Justice was not opposing the case because they already have intentions to decriminalise sex work. Lessing also pointed out that the illicit sex industry could bring in a potential tax revenue of R8 billion if decriminalised and regulated. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Carlo Petersen at EWN Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Traditional healers demand equal recognition for medical certificates SABC News reports that traditional healers in North West, under the leadership of the North West Dingaka Association, gathered at the Mmabatho Stadium in Mahikeng to celebrate the International African Traditional Medicine Day. The Day is celebrated annually to honour the vital role of traditional medicine in providing accessible healthcare, especially in rural areas. President of the North West Dinkgaka Association, Anna Rabotapi, said while strides had been made in the province in recognition of traditional medicine and sick notes issued by traditional healers, this had not been extended to all traditional healers. She indicated: “We are trying to make sure our pride as traditional healers is not lost but restored through every celebration. We believe having our medicines available will keep our tradition alive. There are challenges around sick notes among some traditional healers, and we’d be happy if all traditional healers in South Africa’s sick notes are recognised, because ours, as the North West Dikgaka Association, are issued and submitted across the different companies our patients work in. Why can’t other traditional healers have the same arrangement for their sick notes? Read the original of the short report in the above regard at SABC News
Ekurhuleni metro paid workers R1.6bn for overtime in 24 months News24 reports that the City of Ekurhuleni paid staff R1.6 billion in overtime in only two financial years, according to the council’s latest unaudited financial and performance results for the fourth quarter of the 2024/25 financial year. The Gauteng metro’s overtime figures dwarf the Mangaung metro’s controversial R470-million overtime saga, where a jailed employee was one of the beneficiaries. In the quarter ended June 2025, Ekurhuleni spent R804 million on overtime, which was R156 million above the budget (R684 million). The actual amount of overtime paid was R804,060,791, whereas the City had only budgeted R648 million for the 2024/25 financial year. Reportedly, the City has more than 10,000 employees. According to the City’s report, the overspending on overtime was mostly on essential services. The Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department – whose officers recently went on strike over wages and the uncapping of overtime payments – were paid R356,553,149.80 in overtime, whereas the City had budgeted only R312,191.807. The report, dated 31 July, indicated: “Overtime reflects a 24% spending above budgeted amount, where the actual overtime paid is R156 million above budget of R648 million. The actual overtime [R804 million] for the 2025 financial year is less than the actual overtime [R817 million] of 2024.” It added: “Control of overtime is one of the focus areas for cost containment measures instituted by management.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Soyiso Maliti at News24 (subscription / trial registration required)
FSCA to clamp down on hundreds of pension fund trustees for failure to complete mandatory training Moneyweb reports that SA’s retirement fund trustees are under mounting pressure, with the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) and the Pension Funds Adjudicator (PFA) warning that failure to complete training and honour fiduciary duties will not be tolerated. At the recent Institute of Retirement Funds Africa (Irfa) conference, industry statistics, emerging trends, and new enforcement measures – not only for trustees but also for pension fund administrators and employers – were presented. The FSCA’s Zareena Camroodien said the regulator was concerned by the significant number of trustees who have yet to complete their compulsory training, which must be done within six months of appointment. The FSCA has identified 1,252 non-compliant trustees. Just over 450 of these applied for exemption and/or an extension, but the FSCA will soon take action against the remaining 798. Both Camroodien and deputy PFA adjudicator Naheem Essop reiterated their concerns about employers who did not pay employees’ retirement contributions over to the fund. In January, more than R5 billion in contributions were outstanding, with an estimated 7,700 employers behind on payments to members’ retirement funds. Essop said it was the fiduciary duty of trustees to enforce the collection of retirement fund contributions from employers. A total of 82% of the adjudicator’s 10,331 complaints received during the 2025 financial year, related to non-payment of withdrawals or delayed withdrawals – often as a consequence of arrear contributions. Essop warned that trustees will be held accountable from now on, especially in cases where companies ceased to exist, leaving retirement fund members without their contributions. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Liesl Peyper at Moneyweb Both rich and poor dipping into two-pot funds Business Times reports that even individuals earning R200,000 per month and above are claiming from the two-pot system, which allows retirement fund members to access up to R30,000 a year from their retirement savings before they reach retirement age or qualify for early retirement benefits. Michelle Acton of Old Mutual said they had surveyed members who claimed from their savings pot and found that even those in high income brackets were feeling the financial strain. Speaking at the Institute of Retirement Funds Africa (IRFA) conference in Cape Town last week, Acton said the Old Mutual survey found that 45% of members claiming were withdrawing to pay off debt, 18% to cover school fees, 11% to pay off a bond, and 6% to buy groceries. The survey received 35,000 responses. About 70% of surveyed members across all income levels who had already claimed said they planned to claim again. Guy Chennells of Discovery Corporate and Employee Benefits said their data showed a massive spike in the number of first-time claimants when the two-pot system kicked in, but that “came down very quickly”. He indicated: “First-time access on your two-pot savings account is pretty stable. I expected that it would drop down almost to nothing, but we see first-time takers at about the same level, month in and month out.” According to Chennells, repeat withdrawals made up most of the spike in claims in March, when the doors opened again in the new tax year. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Khulekani Magubane at BusinessLive (subscriber access only) Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Ekurhuleni taxi services resume after strike last week over vehicle impoundment News24 report that the SA National Taxi Council (Santaco) in Ekurhuleni announced on Friday afternoon that taxi operations in the area would resume following protest action on Thursday and Friday. Thousands of commuters were left stranded on Thursday evening and Friday morning after a strike was launched in protest against the impounding of 16 taxis. Santaco’s Ekurhuleni secretary, Zweli Mnisi, said taxi operations in Ekurhuleni had resumed, while leadership continued dialogue with the government to ensure a speedy resolution of the issues raised and ensure fair operating practices. Mnisi said the halt had been necessary “in light of the continued heightened impoundment of taxi vehicles by government authorities, the same authorities that take unreasonably long to issue operating licences and continue to face backlogs which remain unresolved.” He said operators had been forced to absorb significant financial losses, not only through repeated impoundments but also due to the excessive release fees demanded. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Noxolo Sibiya at News24 (subscription / trial registration required) Other internet posting(s) in this news category
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