In our Tuesday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South
African labour-related reports.
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Amsa to axe 3,500 workers as efforts to salvage company’s long steel business fail BL Premium reports that steel manufacturer ArcelorMittal SA (Amsa) told its employees on Friday that attempts to save its long steel business have failed, with 3,500 workers now set to lose their jobs. In a memo to employees, Amsa CEO Kobus Verster wrote: “Unfortunately, efforts to secure funding to operate beyond September 30 2025 have failed. In this light we must now, I regret to say, take further preparatory steps towards the closure of the longs business.” The memo continues as follows: “We will accordingly be issuing section 189 notices to affected employees in the longs business on a staggered basis as facilities wind down, commencing on September 1 2025.” Amsa indicated in July that the long steel business would only be able to “continue with financial support as the company does not have the ability to bear any further financial risk associated with its continued operations after the deferral period”, calling for urgent action to save the unit. Verster said in the memo that the efforts by the company’s management, the Industrial Development Corporation IDC and government had not been enough to salvage the long steel business, which accounts for half of the group’s business. He stressed that the long-standing structural problems remained largely unresolved, including “rising imports, limited tariff protection, very high electricity costs and the worsening performance of the rail system”. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Kabelo Khumalo at BusinessLive (subscriber access only) Solidarity vows to ‘fiercely resist’ Amsa lay-offs Moneyweb reports that trade union Solidarity says it will oppose steelmaker ArcelorMittal SA’s (Amsa’s) renewed plans to shut down its long steel operations and the extension of layoffs to sections of its Vanderbijlpark plant. The 3,500 job losses widely quoted as being on the chopping block at the Newcastle and Vereeniging plants have now increased to around 4,000, after an additional notice of restructuring at the Vanderbijlpark plant was served on the union on Monday morning. According to Solidarity’s deputy secretary Willie Venter, the complete closure of the long steel business will result in over capacity in support functions at Vanderbijlpark. Added to that, Amsa will also close its coke manufacturing operations – which are no longer economically viable – as well as its central workshop. All in all, these changes have, according to Amsa, necessitated the 500 additional retrenchments. The notice served on Solidarity puts Amsa’s total staff complement at about 5,600, which means it plans to retrench 71% of its workforce. The closures could take place as soon as the end of September, according to Solidarity. “We will follow the legislated processes and resist the closure of the plants fiercely,” Venter said. He indicated that organised labour has not been given insight into the search for investors in the ailing steelmaker. This process is being led by the state-owned Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), which recently supported Amsa with almost R1.7 billion. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Antoinette Slabbert at Moneyweb Glencore the latest company to announce job cuts amid retrenchment ‘bloodbath’ News24 reports that Glencore is the latest company to initiate a retrenchment process as high power prices exert pressure on its ferrochrome smelting operations and beyond. In an internal memo to staff on Monday, Glencore Ferroalloys CEO, Japie Fullard, said significant pressures faced by the company, including exceptionally high power process and difficult market conditions, have left it with no option but to commence with a Section 189 retrenchment process at the Boshoek and Wonderkop Smelters, which have been placed on care and maintenance, as well as at the Rhovan operations and the Carbon Division. As part of this process, Glencore is also contemplating reducing the Lion Smelter by half, to a two-furnace operation. It will also further streamline and restructure the support functions within its mining division, at the Rustenburg and Lydenburg smelters, the head office, and shared services functions. Rhovan will continue operating with a new product mix and potentially a different structure. Glencore has already seen 10 of its 22 furnaces permanently or temporarily closed. Trade union Solidarity warned that if the remaining furnaces were also forced to shut down, it would impact 2,425 direct jobs and more than 17,000 indirect jobs. The Glencore retrenchment notice brought the total number of jobs to be cut in approximately two working days at various companies in SA to almost 6,000 in a “bloodbath of retrenchments”, the union pointed out. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lisa Steyn at News24 (subscription / trial registration required). Read too, Glencore-Merafe may cut thousands of jobs at idled ferrochrome facilities, at Miningmx Race for alternative markets is on as Ford confirms hundreds of SA job cuts BL Premium writes that Ford’s confirmation, late last week, that it was considering hundreds of job losses at its SA operations coincided with the US brand’s decision to skip the three-day Festival of Motoring at the Kyalami racetrack in Midrand. A number of other local manufacturers, and some well-known imported brands, also stayed away. But, Chinese importers were out in force to launch an array of new vehicles. Chinese brands are launching a concerted assault on the SA new-vehicle market. Mahindra and Tata flew the Indian flag just as proudly. Without urgent action, local manufacturers and their workers face mounting pressure as global competition and US import tariffs reshape the market. Last Thursday, trade union Solidarity revealed that Ford had informed it of plans to shed at least 470 jobs – 391 assembly-line operators at Silverton, 73 at the company’s Eastern Cape engine plant in Gqeberha, and 10 persons in administration. Ford indicated that these “necessary adjustments” were “part of our ongoing efforts to optimise production and respond to evolving market demands”. According to industry association Naamsa’s Tshetlhe Litheko, US tariffs “could hinder (SA) competitive strategies, delay capital investments, distort long-term planning and increase short-term operational viability”. Government advice is that companies should find alternative markets for their automotive exports. Litheko commented: “For SA, the primary impact relates to the loss of about 25,000 vehicles a year to the US. The secondary impact of increased competition for the bulk of vehicle exports to other markets could potentially pose an even bigger risk as every other country is in a similar position and will be pursuing alternative export markets.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by David Furlonger at BusinessLive (subscriber access only). Read too, Numsa calls on Ford to halt job cuts as 474 workers face retrenchment, at IOL Business Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Couple arrested for murder of Bloubergstrand car guard after shocking CCTV footage Cape Argus reports that a couple has been arrested and charged with the murder of a Bloubergstrand car guard after the fatal attack was caught on CCTV footage. The man, aged 30, and the woman, 24, are expected to make their first appearance in the Cape Town Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, where they will face a charge of murder. Their arrest follows a shocking 1:32-minute video recording of the murder, which took place in a parking area at Marine Circle, Bloubergstrand, during the early hours of Sunday. The victim has yet to be identified. The male suspect is seen getting out of his vehicle to join the car guard where they are seen talking, while the female passenger remains behind. The car guard begins to walk with the male and after speaking for a few seconds, the man pulls out a weapon and stabs the guard on the left side of his body. The woman then climbs out of the vehicle and the guard is seen falling between two vehicles. The couple then flee the scene and three passersby notice the guard lying on the ground and try to assist him. Table View police station spokesperson, Captain Adriana Chandler, said the suspects were arrested thanks to the CCTV footage and were traced to their home. The motive behind the murder has yet to be determined. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Genevieve Serra and view the footage at Cape Argus Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Tshiamiso Trust reports R2.27bn payout milestone Mining Weekly reports that the Tshiamiso Trust has, to date, paid out more than R2.27-billion in compensation to former mineworkers and their dependants affected by silicosis and work-related tuberculosis (TB). The trust was established to give effect to a settlement agreement reached between six mining companies, namely African Rainbow Minerals, Anglo American SA, AngloGold Ashanti, Harmony Gold, Sibanye-Stillwater and Gold Fields, and claimant attorneys in the historic silicosis and TB class action. The trust's annual report indicates that its focused outreach efforts have yielded substantial results, particularly in key regions. To date, the largest volume of claims (51%) has been paid to South African beneficiaries, with a strong focus on mining areas in the Eastern Cape and Free State. Lesotho followedf closely, with 42% of all claims paid, reflecting the long history of Basotho men working in SA mines. Outreach efforts continue in Botswana, Mozambique and Eswatini. Tshiamiso Trust CEO Dr Munyadziwa Kwinda highlighted the success of a pilot project in Zimbabwe. He also noted significant progress in discussions with the Malawian government, paving the way for future operations there. The period in review saw the establishment of Benefit Medical Examination services in Botswana. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Mining Weekly. Read too, Silicosis class action payouts hit R2.2bn, at Moneyweb Other general posting(s) relating to mining
Diesel and petrol price relief on Wednesday News24 reports that all grades of petrol and diesel will be cheaper as of Wednesday, with the wholesale price of diesel dropping by 56c or 57c per litre, depending on sulphur content. While the drop in the diesel price won’t undo the collective increases in July and August, diesel will still be cheaper than a year ago. The wholesale price of diesel will be R18.61 per litre on the coast and R19.44 per litre in Gauteng. Petrol prices will decline by 4c a litre. The price of 95-octane petrol will change to R20.72 per litre on the coast and R21.55 per litre in Gauteng. The retail price of paraffin will drop by 49c per litre and the retail price of liquefied natural gas by R1.32 per kilogram. Kevin van der Merwe of the Road Freight Association commented: “For the road freight industry, where diesel is the primary energy source and often constitutes a significant portion of operational costs, the substantial decrease in diesel wholesale prices is particularly welcome.” Approximately 85% of all goods are transported by road. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Hanlie Nordejee at News24 (subscription / trial registration required). Lees ook, Verligting by vulstasies vir vragmotorbedryf, motorist, by Maroela Media
ANCYL condemns exploitation of youth over unpaid stipends in Nasi Ispani programme Sunday World reports that the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) in Gauteng is demanding an urgent meeting with Premier Panyaza Lesufi over the Gauteng City Region Academy’s (GCRA’s) alleged failure to pay stipends through the Nasi Ispani building inspector programme. Gauteng ANCYL secretary Mpumelelo Sangweni demanded that the meeting between the ANCYL, Lesufi, and the affected students be set up in seven days. He said that only Lesufi’s intervention could restore the programme and indicated that the organisation could not remain passive while “bureaucratic incompetence” delayed the future of young people. According to Sangweni, the youth league has received a report from University of Johannesburg (UJ) students enrolled for the programme that they have not received stipends, despite completing the theoretical component of the programme in July. “Furthermore, the practical component, which is crucial for the completion of their qualifications, has not commenced, rendering the programme incomplete and the students in a state of uncertainty,” said Sangweni. Meanwhile, Lesufi is scheduled to brief the media on Nasi iSpani relaunch and Exco Lekgotla’s outcomes on Wednesday. The upcoming relaunch of Nasi Ispani is scheduled for 6 September. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Boitumelo Kgobotlo at Sunday World
Matjhabeng’s ‘toxic’ mayor accused of harassment, bullying and culture of abuse City Press reports that Matjhabeng mayor Thanduxolo Khalipha is facing serious allegations of harassment and intimidation after staff accused him of publicly humiliating a municipal employee during a recent meeting. A grievance letter lodged against Khalipha and acting municipal manager Advocate Lauretta van Wyk has been sent to speaker Bheki Stofile. It details how the mayor allegedly verbally abused and threatened employees during a local economic development (LED) department meeting on 18 August, which was convened to address grievances and harassment claims against LED director Sefako Ramphoma. According to the grievance letter, Khalipha disrupted the session and targeted employees with “inappropriate, offensive and intimidating behaviour”. Staff who attended the meeting described his conduct as “humiliating” and “an abuse of office”. Several staff members used their brief time at the meeting to complain about what they described as a toxic work environment under Ramphoma’s leadership. Others blamed the labour relations and wellness departments for failing to act on grievances, saying this had worsened tensions. The letter further paints a disturbing picture of how the mayor allegedly attempted to coerce employees into silence. He also allegedly harassed a female official after she raised concerns about staff wellbeing. The grievance letter called for a formal investigation into the incident; protective measures for staff against victimisation; and accountability measures to prevent a repeat. Read the full original of the extensive report in the above regard by Lunga Simelane at City Press (subscription / trial registration required) IDC reviews pay and culture amid skills flight BL Premium reports that the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) is reviewing its policies, including those on remuneration, as it battles to retain skilled staff, with nearly half of the group’s executive committee made up of acting appointments. The state-owned IDC in its annual report published last week raised concerns about senior staff turnover, saying it prompted the board to “vigorously support the culture transformation interventions driven by management” as well as review remuneration and related policies to ensure the IDC remained an attractive destination for top talent. The group’s new CEO, Mmakgoshi Lekhethe, said her priority was to make permanent appointments in the leadership team. She acknowledged that retaining talent was challenging, with commercial financial services groups poaching its employees. Some of the key roles filled in an acting capacity are COO; chief risk officer; head of industry planning and project development; head of manufacturing; head of mining, metals, infrastructure and energy; and the executive responsible for strategy and corporate affairs. Lekhethe said that all staff acting in key positions had been with the IDC for more than a decade and worked across various divisions and sectors. “The knowledge that they bring to exco is very helpful in us achieving our mandate,” Lekhethe indicated. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Kabelo Khumalo at BusinessLive (subscriber access only) Other internet posting(s) in this news category
KZN police officer suspended for wearing MK party regalia TimesLIVE reports that a KwaZulu-Natal police constable who was spotted publicly wearing MK party regalia has been suspended pending an investigation into his involvement in party politics. The officer is attached to the Ntambanana police station in the King Cetshwayo district. KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi said the constable had been seen wearing regalia of a political party and involved himself in its activities. “Police officers are expected to be apolitical and neutral at all times. Any association with a political party by a police officer has the potential of bringing the name of the organisation into disrepute,” Mkhwanazi said. He advised that the SA Police Service Act prohibited a police officer from publicly displaying or expressing support for or associating himself or herself with a political party, holding any post or office in a political party, wearing any insignia or identification mark regarding a political party, or in any manner furthering or prejudicing party-political interest. Mkhwanazi said he would also ask the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority to investigate allegations that the officer owned a security company which rendered VIP protection services, among other security duties. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mfundo Mkhize at BusinessLive Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Teacher arrested over alleged Grade 4 pupil rape at Bronkhorstspruit Primary School News24 reports that a teacher at Bronkhorstspruit Primary School, east of Pretoria, has been arrested for the alleged rape of a Grade 4 pupil. The 54-year-old male staff member was taken into custody on Monday, following a protest outside the school earlier in the day by outraged parents demanding justice for the 10-year-old and calling for accountability. The parents withheld their children from attending classes, citing poor handling of the rape case. Parents also blocked the entrance to Riamar Park, the suburb where the school is located. It is unclear when the alleged sexual assault took place, but the Gauteng Department of Education said it was aware of the incident and committed to further investigation and disciplinary action. The accused is expected to appear in the Bronkhorstspruit Magistrate’s Court soon. 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
Still no trains to Mitchells Plain, with last steps to fully reopen Central Line disrupted GroundUp reports that trains to Mitchells Plain on the Central Line have not been operational for six years, and several stations on the line remain closed. The Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) had promised trains would at least have test runs by mid-2025, but the agency is now unable to confirm a specific reopening date. The delay in reviving train services has left Mitchells Plain commuters reliant on alternative means of transport. Two kilometres of railway still need to be fixed, former rail occupiers are disrupting work, and there are still more than 1,250 people living on the railway lines between Langa and Bonteheuwel. There has been significant improvement in getting the Central Line working again, but seven stations are still not operational, and the Mitchells Plain track has yet to be fixed. About 900 families who had occupied parts of the Central Line during Covid were moved to a vacant piece of land on Stock Road in 2023. They have yet to be permanently relocated by Prasa. Residents said they would continue to stop Prasa from rehabilitating the Mitchells Plain line until such time as they got a share of job opportunities and were provided with electricity. They have held several protests in recent months. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sandiso Phaliso & Yaseen Bardien at GroundUp Other internet posting(s) in this news category
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