In our Wednesday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South
African labour-related reports.
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Solidarity declares dispute with government at Nedlac over mass retrenchments Newsday reports that Solidarity has declared a formal dispute with the government at the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) over a wave of retrenchments. In a press conference on Tuesday, Solidarity said that it “had no choice” but to take the matter to Nedlac in terms of section 77 of the Labour Relations Act after the President and Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, failed to respond to them. According to Nedlac’s rules, there must now be a formal mediation process between Solidarity and the government. The union said that retrenchment notices received by it in the past month alone directly and indirectly affected approximately 350,000 people. Major companies, including Glencore-Merafe, ArcelorMittal SA, Ford Motor Company, African Rainbow Minerals, and Goodyear SA, have issued the retrenchment notifications. Solidarity blamed these retrenchments on “systematic failures” that have “rendered the operating environment increasingly untenable for industrial and export-driven companies.” These included the sharp rise in Eskom’s electricity tariffs, which has made local production less competitive than SA’s global counterparts. The union also noted that the “near collapse of Transnet’s railway and freight infrastructure” was severely hampering the movement of goods, increasing costs, and disrupting supply chains. Solidarity added that the retrenchments were also a result of the government’s failure to secure a timely and favourable agreement with the US regarding export tariffs. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Kimberley Kersten at Newsday. Lees ook, Solidariteit verklaar dispuut teen regering oor afleggings, by Maroela Media Glencore set to meet Ramokgopa this week in a bid to save smelters and jobs Bloomberg reports that Japie Fullard, CEO of Glencore Alloys, will meet Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa on Friday in an effort to save its venture with Merafe Resources that processes chrome ore into ferrochrome. Thousands of jobs are at stake as the smelters grapple with surging power prices. A ministry spokesperson confirmed the meeting. SA, home to the world’s largest deposits of chrome ore, has struggled with expensive and often unreliable power supply, leading to the closure of furnaces and shifting the stainless-steel supply chain overseas – mainly to China. Power costs have surged eightfold since 2008, according to the Energy Intensive Users Group, whose members account for about 40% of the nation’s electricity consumption. In June, SA’s government approved a plan to support the ferrochrome industry, by agreeing on new electricity tariffs as well as introducing controls and taxes for exports of chrome ore. Those reforms have yet to be finalised. Keeping operations on hold is costing Glencore billions of rand, something the company is only able to do until the end of the year as time is running out to find a solution. “I’m still paying the people a 100% their salary without creating one ton of ferrochrome,” Fullard said. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at News24. Lees ook, Eskom se ontbondeling noodsaaklik om mynbou te red, by Maroela Media SABC ropes in digital sales partners as it presses ahead with retrenchments of in-house sales division Blogger Thinus Ferreira writes that with the SA Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) having commenced with a retrenchment process in respect of its sales division staff, it has appointed Arise/365 Digital, Media North as well as Mediamark as digital sales partners. The public broadcaster announced last month that its retrenchment 189 process could affect as many as 180 workers across its various sales divisions, including the digital sales division, with job cuts expected by the end of November. But, according to trade union Bemawu, the number of affected SABC staffers will not be 180 but 262 employees. The retrenchments will potentially be across the SABC's sales divisions of enterprise sales, corporate sales, government sales, SMME (Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises), digital sales, sports sales, category management including RAP radio and product management), sales operations, Ad-venture sales, the sales intelligence division, as well as sales governance and the deals team. The SABC's sales division has been underperforming for years. About the appointment of the outside agencies, Nomsa Chabeli, SABC CEO, said in a statement: "These partnerships are about unlocking greater value for our clients. By collaborating with trusted specialist partners, we are strengthening our ability to deliver innovative, multi-platform solutions across radio, television and digital." According to the SABC, the appointment of the agencies will help with the public broadcaster's latest five-year corporate plan that is looking to add new revenue streams for the corporation. Read the full original of the blog in the above regard by Thinus Ferreira at teeveetee blogspot
As Financial Mail bows out, Arena Holdings promises no job losses Moneyweb reports that Financial Mail, one of SA’s most respected weekly financial titles, will publish its final edition on 30 October 2025. Parent company Arena Holdings announced the decision in a note to staff on Monday, saying the title’s editorial expertise would be folded into Business Day as part of a strategic integration. Pule Molebeledi, Group CEO of Arena Holdings, promised no job losses as staff transition into other newsroom roles. The decision comes against the backdrop of intensifying headwinds in the print industry. Globally and locally, print advertising revenues have shrunk in the past decade, and while circulation has migrated online, digital advertising and subscription revenues have not replaced the traditional print income stream at scale. Financial Mail, with its weekly cycle, has found itself particularly exposed to the brutal economics of modern media. Commentators have long warned that the SA print sector is on borrowed time. Display advertising has shrunk as marketers redirect spend to Google, Meta, and programmatic digital platforms. Rising newsprint and production costs add further pressure, while audiences demand immediacy and constant updates rather than the weekly depth once considered sufficient. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jeremy Maggs at Moneyweb. Lees ook, Financial Mail sluit ná 65 jaar, by Maroela Media
Learner arrested after two teachers pushed off steps at eMalahleni high school Witbank News reports that a teenager (18) from an eMalahleni, Mpumalanga, high school appeared in the Witbank Magistrate’s Court on Monday after two teachers were pushed off the steps in front of the administration office. Video footage, taken on 9 September, shows a learner pushing one teacher down the steps and then pushing a second teacher who came to her aid. “The teen was arrested after police viewed the video, which contradicted the boy and his mother’s attempt to open a case against the teachers,” said a police spokesperson, Sergeant David Ratau, who is also the school’s Adopt-a-Cop. The case against the learner was postponed to 12 November, and he was released on a warning. In addition to the legal proceedings, the school’s headmaster confirmed that a disciplinary hearing for the learner would be taking place on Tuesday. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Zita Goldswain and view a video clip at The Citizen Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Buffalo City municipal workers go on strike to end outsourcing of primary municipal services GroundUp reports that members of the SA Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) downed tools on Tuesday after failing to reach an agreement with Buffalo City Metro Municipality (BCCM) over outsourced primary services. Hundreds of Samwu members gathered outside the East London City Hall, closing off part of Oxford Street. In Mdantsane, workers blocked roads with burning tyres, and police used rubber bullets and teargas to disperse them. According to the trade union, municipal outsourcing has created a parallel labour force, with municipal employees facing job insecurity and a loss of benefits if forced to work for contractors. Other grievances include non-payment of incentives promised during the Covid pandemic; disparities in salaries for employees performing the same work in different areas; and the absorption of Public Works employees. Samwu’s Siya Delanto indicated: “Services such as solid waste, water and sanitation, electricity, roads, and traffic lights are being outsourced.” He said attempts to standardise wages have been ongoing since 2015 without a resolution. Delanto said the strike would continue indefinitely until the municipality’s management responded to the grievances. BCCM issued a statement saying it “strongly condemns the disruptive and unlawful conduct” of SAMWU members, accusing them of burning municipal assets and dumping refuse and litter. It noted that while Samwu had been issued a certificate by the Bargaining Council authorising the strike, most of the issues were matters for centralised collective bargaining outside the jurisdiction of the municipality. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Johnnie Isaac at GroundUp
Vetting challenges delay security clearances for government officials IOL News reports that the Presidency has identified the failure by supply chain management officials to subject themselves to polygraph tests and submit financial statements to the State Security Agency (SSA) as a challenge when they were vetted. Briefing the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) on the vetting of officials in the supply chain management in accordance with a 2014 Cabinet directive, Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation senior official Jonathan Timm reported on some of the challenges that contributed to delays in the vetting of officials. These included failure to submit vetting forms and required documents, mostly financial statements, and failure to honour or postpone appointments, especially for polygraph tests. There was also the issue of the officials’ references not being easily accessible, as well as a long time for fingerprints to be receive from the SAPS. According to Timm, the SSA has developed an action plan to address these challenges. Timm explained that positions to be vetted were prioritised, such as executive management, supply chain management, security, ICT, and specialised posts. He added that the SSA and Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) were developing an e-vetting system, the implementation of which would drastically improve the turnaround for vetting. DA MP George Atkinson said the delays in conducting security vetting of officials meant that the employment requirements were not met. He was concerned that the actions of affected individuals could be overturned when challenged in court. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mayibongwe Maqhina at IOL News. Read too, MP questions why government officials who refuse vetting keep their jobs amid delays, at The Citizen
Coega Development Corporation reaches mutual separation agreement in settlement of labour dispute with former CEO Engineering News reports that a labour dispute that followed the firing of former Coega Development Corporation (CDC) CEO Khwezi Tiya in December last year has now been resolved. The parties concerned have reached a mutual separation agreement, with the CDC stating on Monday that this was in the interests of both parties and that it would bring to an end the uncertainty surrounding the matter. In January, it was reported that, following an internal review and disciplinary process, the CDC had decided to dismiss the suspended Tiya with effect from 19 December 2024. The CDC said Tiya had been dismissed after 15 months of suspension in accordance with its policies. The precise reason for Tiya’s suspension and later dismissal was never revealed. Tiya contested the suspension and subsequent dismissal decision, maintaining that he had done nothing wrong and that he had been treated incorrectly by the CDC. Read the original of the short report in the above regard at Engineering News
Nedbank manager loses reinstatement back pay as Labour Court confirms dismissal over 'sit on my lap' comment IOL Business reports that a Nedbank manager who told a female colleague to "sit on my lap" and repeatedly called her "beautiful" and "stunning" has had his dismissal upheld by the Labour Court (LC) after an arbitrator initially ruled in his favour. The Joburg LC this week set aside a controversial CCMA arbitration award that had branded the victim "untruthful" and had ordered the bank to reinstate Olwage with R400,424 in back pay. Marius Olwage lost his payout after Acting Judge Navsa found he had sexually harassed a woman in Nedbank's Specialised Recoveries Department between September 2020 and April 2021. Olwage, who worked as Manager of Field Agents in RRB Recoveries, made persistent comments about his colleague's appearance including "you are so beautiful," "you are so stunning," and "black looks good on you". The harassment escalated in January 2021 during Covid temperature screening when he asked her "why do you not sit in my lap." The court heard Olwage also engaged in intimidation tactics. Judge Navsa slammed the original arbitrator's decision, saying the commissioner had committed "gross irregularities" by failing to apply sexual harassment guidelines and making unsupported credibility findings against the victim. "The arbitrator's finding that no sexual harassment took place is irregular and equally not a reasonable outcome," Judge Navsa ruled. The judgment reinforced that sexual harassment must be viewed from the victim's perspective. Judge Navsa found the woman's evidence "credible" and "forthright," noting that her walking away from Olwage's advances was clear non-verbal communication that his behaviour was unwanted. The bank was found to have acted fairly in dismissing Olwage, with the court ruling it could not reasonably be expected to continue employing him after his conduct. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nicola Mawson at IOL Business. Read too, Labour Court rules on sexual harassment allegations at Nedbank, at IOL News
Codeta considers legal action to stop Cape Town taxi routes closures SABC News reports that the Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (Codeta) says it is considering taking legal action to prevent the closure of several taxi routes in Cape Town from Wednesday. Last week, the Western Cape government announced the closure of a number of routes following an increase in taxi-related violence in which at least eight people were shot dead. The closures will be in place for 30 days and taxi commuters in areas including Khayelitsha, Mfuleni and Nomzama will be forced to find alternative transport. Codeta spokesperson Nceba Enge said it remained open to negotiations with rival association, the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA), to resolve ongoing route disputes and it encouraged the CATA executive together with the Codeta executive to continue with joint meetings to find a solution. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Mlamli Maneli at SABC News Safety fears as Uber, Bolt car doors must be branded with driver details News24 reports that a new legal requirement that all Uber and Bolt vehicles must be branded with driver details has sparked safety concerns among one driver organisation. New regulations under the National Land Transport Act, which came into effect last week, require that the two front doors of all e-hailing vehicles must now display the name of the driver as well as the driver’s business address. The contact number of the driver (or the management company, if the driver works for a third party) must also be on the doors. The information must be on full display when the vehicle is in use for e-hailing. The requirements are part of regulations that create a licensing regime specifically for e-hailing groups for the first time. According to Siyabonga Hlabisa of the Western Cape E-Hailing Association, its biggest concern is the mandatory vehicle marking. Noting that e-hailing drivers were already targets for criminals, Hlabisa commented: “We are private transport companies and transport people privately. I don’t know what the government wants to achieve by branding our vehicles. I feel like someone who was drafting this regulation was coming from the minibus taxi [industry] and they just want to expose us and make it easy for us to be pointed [out]. But Vhatuka Mbelengwa of the National e-Hailing Federation of SA welcomed the requirement, saying: “In the long run, clearly identifiable public transport providers [are] paramount. It offers more safety for everyone.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Aurelia Mouton at News24 (subscription / trial registration required). Read too, E-hailing drivers given 180 days to comply with new rules, at TimesLIVE KZN taxi driver with only learner’s licence arrested after crash injures 20 pupils News24 reports that a taxi driver behind the wheel of an unroadworthy minibus that plunged off KwaKhetha Bridge in Impendle, KwaZulu-Natal resulting in 20 pupils being injured, has been arrested. Transport and Human Settlements MEC, Siboniso Duma, on Tuesday confirmed the driver only had a learner’s licence and did not have the required Professional Driving Permit (PrDP). “This driver violated the National Land Transport Act by transporting children without a PrDP. We will not allow reckless, unqualified drivers to continue putting the lives of learners at risk,” said Duma. The accident occurred when the driver allegedly lost control of the taxi, sending it crashing off the bridge on the P127 route on Monday. Several pupils were rushed to nearby hospitals. Some were treated and discharged while others are still receiving medical care. Duma urged the South African National Taxi Council to step up efforts in monitoring taxi associations and private scholar transport operators, saying the sector was plagued by unroadworthy vehicles. “We want to remove from our road networks reckless drivers who are behind the spike of private scholar transport accidents and other crashes that have destroyed families and cut short the lives of innocent people,” he said. The arrest comes less than a week after KwaZulu-Natal was left reeling from two tragic scholar transport crashes in Pietermaritzburg’s Imbali township. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sakhiseni Nxumalo at News24 (subscription / trial registration required)
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