In our Tuesday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South
African labour-related reports.
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ConCourt hears Solidarity’s bid to have sections of National Health Act confirmed as invalid BL Premium reports that lawyers representing trade union Solidarity and private doctors spent hours on Tuesday trying to convince Constitutional Court judges to confirm a court order which found provisions of the National Health Act, which controls where doctors work and where health facilities are established, invalid. Last year, the Pretoria High Court declared sections 36 to 40 of the Act invalid. The sections provide that doctors and healthcare facilities need to obtain a certificate of need from the director-general of health before rendering services. The Act aims to decentralise healthcare access and ensure rural areas, which have little or no access to doctors and medical facilities, get access. The state plans to use the sections to get practitioners and health facilities to migrate to rural areas. Facilities that already exist also have to apply for the certificate. Greta Engelbrecht, representing Solidarity and private doctors, argued the sections gave the health director-general immense power which was intrusive to the constitutional rights of health practitioners. She said: “No health agency or establishments will be allowed to operate without the certificate. This includes hospitals, medical practices, dental rooms, nursing homes and clinics. In the hands of the director-general will lie the ability to refuse them the ability to continue to operate.” The judges quizzed Engelbrecht on the importance of healthcare access to people in rural areas while balancing that with protection of healthcare providers’ rights. Engelbrecht argued that the government could not shift its constitutional mandate to provide healthcare services to those in need by compelling private practitioners to work in rural areas. The court reserved judgment. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sinesipho Schrieber at BusinessLive (subscriber access only). Lees ook, ‘Kernpilaar van NGV’ in hoogste hof uitgedaag, by Maroela Media. And also, Solidarity, Health Department go head to head in ConCourt over National Health Act, at Daily Maverick
Vulnerability of unarmed Gauteng wardens laid bare by Daveyton ambush News24 reports that three years after Premier Panyaza Lesufi launched the Gauteng crime prevention wardens, they remain unarmed. Five on-duty wardens were shot over the weekend, one of whom remains in ICU. They were ambushed in Daveyton on Sunday morning by up to 20 gunmen who fired on them with AK-47s. On Monday, Lesufi visited the wounded wardens at a private hospital. He said he was in advanced talks to secure legal clarity before arming the wardens, adding that firearms have been sourced for them and remained in storage. “While waiting for consensus among the [justice] cluster, we have trained the wardens to use firearms and acquired guns for them. However, we don’t want them using weapons while the mandate remains uncertain,” Lesufi said. The wardens, commonly referred to as amapanyaza, were launched by the premier in 2023 as part of his anti-crime initiative. The rollout, which involved more than 6,000 recruits, focused on tackling crime hotspots in townships, informal settlements, and hostels. The wardens’ primary responsibilities include supporting the police and metro police, removing illegal firearms, combating drug-related crimes, preventing cable theft, and addressing taxi violence. Despite basic policing training, their capacities are limited as they are not officially recognised as peace officers. The brother of one of the wounded wardens pointed out: that his sibling’s job was extremely dangerous and went on to say: “They face armed criminals daily. Criminals know wardens are unarmed, which is why they were ambushed like this. If the wardens can’t be given guns, they should at least be escorted by armed personnel. If this doesn’t happen, such incidents will be repeated.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ntwaagae Seleka at News24 (subscription / trial registration required). Read too, Family of crime warden voices concerns over insufficient equipment for peace officers, at EWN. En ook, Daveyton-skietery: Vrae oor beamptes se opleiding, steun, by Maroela Media
Thirty-nine percentage of SA's domestic workers earn below minimum wage IOL News reports that Sweepsouth’s recently released Annual Report on Domestic Worker Pay and Working Conditions reveals that a staggering 39% of domestic workers in SA earn below the national minimum wage. The report, which surveyed 5,039 domestic workers across the nation, found that the median monthly earnings stood at R3,635, was is well below the R4,500 deemed necessary for basic living expenses. The report paints a grim picture of the economic pressures confronting an essential workforce that forms the backbone of many households in SA. As rising costs of housing, food, and transport outstrip wages, the gap between income and the real cost of living widens. This reality results in a pervasive cycle of debt, hardship, and insecurity for thousands of workers and their families. In the past year, essential costs have increased sharply – housing costs rose by 11% and food prices by 8%. Consequently, the average domestic worker now faces a monthly shortfall of nearly R900 between their income and essential expenses, leaving them with no room for savings or emergency funds. Debt has emerged as a pervasive issue, with one in three domestic workers in debt, often relying on informal lenders with exorbitant interest rates. Among those in debt, over a third perceive their repayment chances as hopeless, creating a cycle of stress and anxiety. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at IOL News Domestic workers suffer mental health issues over low wages and higher living costs BL Premium reports that the eighth annual report by Sweepsouth, an online home services platform, shows domestic workers battling mental health as they battle against an avalanche of debt, hardship and job insecurity, with rising living costs outpacing their stagnant wages. The Domestic Worker Pay and Working Conditions Report 2025, based on responses from 5,039 domestic workers nationwide, shows one in three of the 839,000 domestic workers in SA still earns below the minimum wage of R28.79 per hour. Even those working full-time, sometimes seven days a week, are trapped in a deficit between income and basic survival costs. The report states 33% of domestic workers were in debt and 16% reported a decline in mental health. “In addition to their paid duties, many workers carry responsibilities such as caring for elderly relatives or managing household needs in their own families ... A fraction of domestic workers who lose their jobs are registered for Unemployment Insurance Fund, while employers themselves face outdated, complex UIF processes that discourage compliance,” the report indicates. It further shows that 16% of respondents said their mental health was “worsening over the past year” and this was “linked directly to financial strain, workplace instability or experiences of abuse. Few have access to affordable counselling, although most said they would seek help if services were available”. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinessLive (subscriber access only) Other internet posting(s) in this news category
ArcelorMittal SA must be ‘re-nationalised’, says Saftu Bloomberg reports that according to Zwelinzima Vavi, general secretary of the SA Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu), the government must “re-nationalise” ArcelorMittal SA (Amsa) to avert job losses and rebuild SA’s beleaguered manufacturing industry. The company has begun closing long steel plants that employ about 3,500 people and support as many as 100,000 indirect jobs. This follows after nearly two years of negotiations with the government failed to address the steel maker’s complaints, including high-input costs and competition from cheap imports. Amsa’s assets include what was once Iscor, the state-run steelmaker that was privatised in 1989. The shuttering of the long steel plants is bad news for a country, where a third of the workforce is unemployed, and there is a need to find alternate markets for its companies, hit by 30% tariffs on exports to the US. “Job losses in South Africa are simply deepening at the most alarming rate,” Vavi lamented. Saftu is seeking talks with SA’s ministers of trade, industry and competition, and employment and labour to address the “bleeding” of jobs. “There’s been no real engagement between the key players to try and find real solutions, long-term solutions, to the crisis,” Vavi maintained. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Prinesha Naidoo at Moneyweb Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Emirates Group looks to recruit over 200 IT boffins in SA BusinessLive reports that Emirates Group, the state-owned, Dubai-based international aviation holding company, is hoping to recruit more than 200 IT professionals in SA for “future-focused” tech roles. The group will be hosting two recruitment information roadshows, the first in Joburg on 18 September and the second in Cape Town the following day. The local roadshows form part of the group’s global drive to recruit IT professionals during the current financial year for 350 types of roles. Skills needed range from software engineering, technical software engineering, cybersecurity and IT architecture to innovation and service management. Typically, the group’s IT team works on cutting-edge projects for more than 40 brands and businesses in Dubai and the rest of the world. Recent projects the IT team completed include optimising catering using AI models, incorporating biometrics for check-in and enabling self-service bag drop. Emirates Group said in a statement: “We are investing in the technologies of tomorrow and upskilling our employees to stay ahead of the curve. To support this vision, we are keen to attract top talent to be part of our IT workforce.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Carin Smith at BusinessLive
David Hodnett to lead Standard Bank SA Moneyweb reports that as part of its leadership succession planning, Standard Bank Group has appointed David Hodnett as the new CEO of Standard Bank of SA (SBSA). He is currently the group’s chief risk officer and head of corporate affairs. The appointment comes as Standard Bank Group CEO Sim Tshabalala prepares to retire by the end of 2027. The bank recently extended the retirement age for its executives, but that policy change will not apply to Tshabalala or group chief finance and value management officer Arno Daehnke, who will also step down in 2027. Hodnett brings more than 30 years of leadership experience in the financial services sector. His prior roles include senior leadership positions at Absa and Barclays before he joined Standard Bank in 2019. Thabani Ndwandwe will succeed Hodnett as group chief risk officer, while retaining his role as SBSA chief risk officer. In addition, Lungisa Fuzile’s position as interim CEO for Africa Regions and Offshore has been made permanent. The effective dates of both Hodnett and Ndwandwe’s appointments are subject to regulatory approval. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Liesl Peyper at Moneyweb
Court turns down Sibiya’s bid to return to work in showdown over task team BL Premium reports that a full bench of the Pretoria High Court on Tuesday dismissed deputy police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya’s application to return to work. Sibiya was ordered to stay at home by national commissioner Fannie Masemola following his disbandment of an elite task team investigating political killings in KwaZulu-Natal. According to Masemola, he had ordered a gradual dissolution of the unit, but his deputy effected an immediate disbandment. Sibiya approached the court to have the stay-at-home order declared unlawful and to interdict Masemola from undertaking disciplinary action against him pending the conclusion of the commission of inquiry into allegations of criminal infiltration of the justice system. His lawyer, advocate Kameel Premhid, told the court the commissioner failed to follow SA Police Service (SAPS) procedures in issuing the order. Advocate Stefan Coetzee, acting for Masemola, argued the order was not a disciplinary action and therefore the commissioner was not required to follow the SAPS policy in barring Sibiya from work. The court concurred and dismissed Sibiya’s application with costs. “The commissioner has a constitutional duty and obligation to exercise control over and manage the police service. He would be failing in his duties if he were not to act against officers who fail to comply with orders,” the court found. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sinesipho Schrieber at BusinessLive (subscriber access only). Read too, Gauteng High Court upholds stay-at-home order for Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya, at IOL News
New code of good practice on dismissal of employees BusinesTech reports that the Minister of Employment and Labour, Nomakhosazana Meth, has gazetted a new code of practice relating to the dismissal of employees. The code became effective from 4 September 2025 and repeals the previous Code of Good Practice on Dismissal and the Code of Good Practice Based on Operational Requirements. The gazetted code mirrors the draft code released for comment on 22 January 2025. According to Nadeem Mahomed and Sashin Naidoo from Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr, the code provides comprehensive and practical guidelines to employers, employees and trade unions. These include matters related to misconduct, incapacity, and operational requirements, i.e. retrenchments, under the Labour Relations Act. The experts point out that the code allows for departures in appropriate circumstances, particularly for small businesses. It confirms that dismissals must have a procedurally fair process linked to conduct, capacity or operational requirements, but the process needs to be context-appropriate. Dismissal is reserved for cases where continued employment is intolerable. However, the code allows small businesses flexibility in applying disciplinary and consultation procedures. It also emphasises that the purpose of a fair procedure is to foster dialogue and reflection. The code also guides on probationary periods, such as a reasonable duration and a less onerous justification for non-confirmation. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luke Fraser and access the new code at BusinessTech Labour Court slams CCMA commissioner’s conduct but upholds firing of emplopyee whose refugee status had lapsed IOL Business reports the Labour Court in Cape Town found a CCMA commissioner’s conduct “unacceptable” during a hearing into the dismissal of a Lufthansa subsidiary’s employee after his refugee status expired. Yet, it found that the outcome that the termination of his employment had been fair and should be upheld. Sony Muyulenu, a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo, had worked for Lufthansa InTouch, a subsidiary of airline Lufthansa, since 2009. Muyulenu's refugee status expired in July 2023 and was not renewed, making it illegal for him to continue working in SA. Following this, he was dismissed for incapacity. The court found that the dismissal itself was legally sound as continued employment would have been illegal under SA’s Immigration Act. However, it did not hold back in its criticism of the CCMA commissioner. It described her conduct as “unacceptable,” highlighting a series of chaotic and confrontational moments during the arbitration. Muyulenu was repeatedly interrupted, given confusing guidance on cross-examination, and argued with over whether French qualified as a critical skill. The CCMA drama peaked during a tense debate over a letter he wanted to rely on, ending with the commissioner snapping: “well, maybe you shouldn’t be so flippant with me, because you need to prove your case.” Instead of sending the matter back for another arbitration, the court decided there would be no point as any fresh hearing would inevitably uphold the dismissal, Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nicola Mawson at IOL Business
Netball SA CEO Komane fails in CCMA bid to overturn final warning City Press reports that Netball SA (NSA) CEO Modiegi Komane’s attempt to have a written final warning against her set aside at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) has failed. She was issued with the final warning last month for “grossly unprofessional conduct” following recommendations from a report by CTL Management Forum. The independent entity, contracted to assist NSA with human resources, found that the working environment at NSA had become toxic since Komane joined the federation in October 2023. The report found her conduct to be unprofessional, that she had created a hostile environment for staff, and that recommendations were ignored. Komane challenged the report and its findings at the CCMA, seeking to have it set aside through mediation. “The CCMA mediation collapsed. She has now escalated her case to arbitration. A date is yet to be determined,” a source indicated. Komane was appointed as CEO in October 2023 on a one-year contract, which was renewed for a further 12 months last year. The arbitration proceedings are likely to extend beyond Komane’s contract expiry date. According to a council member, Komane is concerned that the board may not offer her a contract extension while she is on a final warning. Her contract is due for renewal in October, but corporate governance principles prevent contract extensions while a final warning remains in place. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tiitsetso Malepa at City Press (subscription / trial registration required)
Former FNB employee jailed for stealing R800,000 from elderly customer TimesLIVE reports that the Gqeberha specialised commercial crimes court has sentenced Leonie Stella Stiemie, a former branch administrator at FNB Kirkwood, to an effective six years’ imprisonment for two counts of theft. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Eastern Cape spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said Stiemie was sentenced to six years on each count, with the court ordering the sentences to run concurrently. Stiemie was convicted of stealing R400,000 from a client’s FNB deeds box and R420,000 from his bank account. The victim, 87-year-old former farmer Andries David Renken from Kirkwood, tragically passed away during the lengthy trial, which was marred by delays. The court heard that between 2011 and February 2015, Renken entrusted Stiemie with money he wanted to be stored in a deeds box at the bank. Contrary to procedure, he never received the two keys and did not sign a custody agreement. When he inquired about the money in August 2014, Stiemie falsely claimed to have invested half of it on his behalf. By February 2015, she was no longer employed at FNB. After hearing about Renken’s visit to the branch, Stiemie went to his home, initially alleging the funds had been stolen in a branch robbery, a claim later proved to be false. She eventually admitted to taking the money and offered to repay it in instalments of R666 per month, an offer Renken rejected, citing the symbolic “devil’s number”. Stiemie only repaid R21,000. A forged deposit slip was later uncovered, with handwriting analysis confirming the signature was hers, not Renken’s. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at BusinessLive
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