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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Auto industry fails workers as pension fund arrear contributions hit record billions Daily Maverick reports that in a startling revelation for workers in the automotive industry, this sector emerged as the worst offender in the Financial Sector Conduct Authority round-up of employers who were not paying over employee pension fund contributions. This is a particularly worrying development in light of the potential retrenchments envisaged in this sector over the next year. Naamsa, the automotive business council, has described the jobs situation as “a socioeconomic crisis in the making”. With the auto sector supporting more than 500,000 jobs, the US tariff shock has put the industry’s entire value chain at risk. In a damning sector-wide report released on Thursday, the FSCA noted that overall 15,521 non-compliant employers were reported across 67 retirement funds, impacting around 592,000 retirement fund members. This was a significant jump from figures shared almost two years ago in December 2023, when the non-compliant employers numbered 7,770, affecting 310,000 employees. The amount of estimated pension fund contributions in arrears was estimated at R7.29-billion, up from R5.2-billion in December 2023. The private security sector, which was the worst offender in December 2023, seems to have cleaned up its act. Keabetswe Tsuene from the FSCA’s retirement fund conduct supervision department said that after concerns were previously raised regarding the Private Security Sector Provident Fund (PSSPF), the fund initiated a data cleansing drive, which remained ongoing. Referring to local government, Tsuene said that, in collaboration with the National Treasury, millions owed to members and retirement funds had been recovered. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Neesa Moodley at Daily Maverick
Nurses at Jeppestown clinic complain about hostile, unsafe workplace TimesLIVE reports that nurses at Jeppestown Clinic say their workplace is dangerous as some patients manage to enter the health facility with weapons. During a site visit on Thursday by Joburg MMC for public safety Mgcini Tshwaku and MMC for social development and health Ennie Makhafola, the nurses complained about their safety and how they were, at times, held hostage by patients. Jeppestown Clinic is estimated to help 10,000 patients every month. One of the nurses informed the MMCs that only four professional nurses were typically on duty on Saturdays, with only one unarmed security guard who stood at the main entrance. Busisiwe Hutu, one of the nurses, told the MMCs that the main problem was security, as patients who arrived at the clinic were not searched. “The big issue here is security. We are not safe on Saturdays,” she indicated. Tshwaku said that from next month, the city would tighten the security at the clinic with more manpower. The nurses also complained that a group of people who were believed to be members of Operation Dudula had been seen outside the facilities asking to see patients' documents and even allegedly turning some of them away from the clinic. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Phathu Luvhengo at TimesLIVE. Read too, City officials visit Jeppe Clinic after allegations of denied access to foreign nationals, at SowetanLive Khayelitsha residents protesting electricity shortages attempt to set community clinic alight Cape Argus reports that the City of Cape Town has strongly condemned the violent attack on a local clinic, where frustrated residents of Khayelitsha's Town Two attempted to set the building alight. In a protest over ongoing electricity shortages, the residents vented their anger by damaging the community clinic and igniting a room in their quest for attention to their plight. According to ward councillor Thando Pimpi, the shack dwellers had illegally connected electricity from a transformer, which later blew up. “They wanted to go to the clinic where there is another transformer. We managed to speak to them on Wednesday, and we asked them to stop, and we warned them not to seek service delivery in that manner. We also set up an appointment with the relevant stakeholders to discuss how we can help the community members,” he advised. The City’s Health Department indicated: “Information at this stage indicates that a group of protestors set fire to a part of the clinic late on Monday evening. The outside waste room was gutted, but the clinic remains intact. The group also damaged the motorised vehicle gate to get onto the property and the Eskom transformer on the premises, leaving the clinic without electricity. Protestors burnt tyres outside the premises once more on Tuesday evening, 23 September. City Health resumed limited services at the clinic today, 25 September.” Police registered a case of arson for further investigation. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mandilakhe Tshwete at Cape Argus
Nehawu’s parliamentary branch is unravelling by way of resignations BL Premium reports that the National Education, Health & Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) is in upheaval in parliament. Disciplinary proceedings and the precautionary suspension of the union’s branch secretary on union work-related charges have triggered a wave of resignations. According to supporters, the charges were trumped up after an unsuccessfully contest for provincial office. This rare show of dissatisfaction with union management is apparently aimed at getting the national Nehawu leadership involved after a recently elected branch task team was thwarted. Unhappiness with the branch leadership has simmered for many months. Questions have been raised over the still outstanding “equal work for equal pay” in the protection service, and the consolidated lowest salary band. Insiders have also questioned employment terms and conditions, appropriateness of appointments, a lack of staff and equipment, and more. In to-and-fro communications by both sides, the current Nehawu branch leaders seem unmoved over what the others call “a constitutional act of protest”. Instead, the incumbent executive insists the next branch leadership elections will be in 2027 as scheduled and only they are the representatives in the legislative sector bargaining chamber. Though Nehawu has lost union subs, it remains the majority union. Nehawu’s national office-bearers seem reluctant to get involved, despite its parliamentary branch members’ call for action. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Marianne Merten at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
Organised labour pegs government as ‘the real culprit’ in smelter closure crisis News24 reports that organised labour has laid the blame for a jobs bloodbath in SA’s smelting industry squarely at the government’s feet, as the last remaining operations face imminent closure amid unsustainably high power tariffs and inordinate delays in government intervention. In a statement, Irvin Jim, general secretary of the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa), said the current job-loss bloodbath in the industry “cannot tolerate government snail’s pace response”. Numsa’s criticism follows a recent meeting between Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientso Ramokgopa, and CEOs of the SA ferrochrome industry in a bid to prevent the imminent closure of the country’s last remaining ferrochrome smelters. Although Ramokgopa has affirmed the government’s intention to give a discounted electricity tariff to smelters to ensure that mothballed plants owned by Glencore and Samancor are reopened, the meeting outcomes failed to entice companies to halt ongoing retrenchment processes as yet. Numsa said it had done everything possible to engage government to expeditiously address this issue, and that the government’s inability to respond in time has already led to huge job losses. “We are of the view that government is the real culprit in this matter,” Jim said, noting that the Cabinet approved a plan to intervene in the smelting crisis in June. That view echo those of other unions. Just last week, Solidarity declared a dispute at Nedlac in terms of section 77 of the Labour Relations Act, which allows for protest on socioeconomic grounds. Solidarity said there was broad agreement between itself, Cosatu, and the SA Federation of Trade Unions that pressure needed to be placed on the government to act. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lisa Steyn at News24 (subscription / trial registration required)
Solidarity asks Washington for tariff relief for SA Maroela Media reports that on Thursday, Solidarity put forward a request to the US White House for President Donald Trump to sign an executive order to effect tariff relief for certain sectors in SA pending the finalisation of a trade agreement between the two countries. The key industries that the trade union proposes be covered are the automotive industry, agriculture, textiles and mining. Solidarity's request comes amid a tense relationship between the two countries and only about a week before the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) expires. Solidarity's proposal follows on President Trump's recent willingness to offer the same kind of relief to other countries. Among other things, he signed an executive order at the beginning of September in terms of which import tariffs on Japanese cars were reduced from 27,5% to 15%. Solidarity asked the White House for a similar order to reduce tariffs on some SA exports to 15%, which would still make them competitive with products from other countries. According to Solidarity, such an executive order could be easily implemented as the industries concerned are already within the AGOA agreement. Because AGOA has already done the administrative work regarding specific tariff codes, the executive order could be implemented without major administrative adjustments. Solidarity has also discussed a proposed trade framework with the representatives at the White House. The proposed trade framework, which was sent to Presidents Trump and Cyril Ramaphosa on 1 August, addresses the political conditions for an agreement and makes suggestions as to what a trade agreement could look like. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tania Heyns at Maroela Media Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Highest staff vacancy rates in government departments are in education and health sectors The Citizen reports that the education and health sectors make up the overwhelming majority of vacancies in the public service, with 37,953 vacancies in national and provincial education departments, and 27,880 vacancies in health departments. In a written reply to a recent parliamentary question, the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) revealed that there were a total of 97,578 job posts available in all government departments, with 67.4 % of all vacancies in government departments being in education and health. Figures reflected the available positions across government departments for the last financial year ended March 2025. The national water and sanitation department had the highest percentage of vacancies at 23.89%, followed by the Northern Cape’s education department with 16.98%. The Northern Cape’s health department had a vacancy percentage of 14.81%, with the Eastern Cape, North West, and KwaZulu-Natal health departments all between 11% and 10%. National police recorded a vacancy rate of 10.61%. Other notable rates included the national departments of Public Works and Correctional Services, with 14.07% and 11.13%, respectively. DPSA explained that the causes of the vacancies were both systemic and operational, mainly due to “natural attrition” factors like retirement, resignations, and death. Additionally, fiscal constraints, restructuring and long recruitment processes were problematic, despite DPSA regulations stating that vacancies should be filled within eight months. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jarryd Westerdale at The Citizen Amid staff shortage crisis, NHLS looks to private sector to tackle cancer test backlog BL Premium reports that the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) is turning to the private sector to tackle the delays in cancer testing at its Johannesburg facility. The NHLS is considered the backbone of the public health system, providing tests used to diagnose and monitor diseases ranging from HIV to cervical cancer. But public sector patients in Joburg can wait as long as three months for the results of cancer tests. In the private sector, the results of urgent cancer biopsies are usually delivered within 48 hours, according to PathCare CEO John Douglass. PathCare already provides anatomical pathology tests to the NHLS in East London. The NHLS has approached PathCare to gauge its capacity to help alleviate the load in Gauteng, its co-ordinator for histopathology, Fabio Crabbia, confirmed. “We are going to help. And I am sure the other laboratories are going to help [too],” he said. DA MPL Jack Bloom sounded the alarm about the crisis when he visited the NHLS histology laboratory at Charlotte Maxeke Hospital in Joburg on Monday. He found that the facility was “desperately short-staffed”, with just four pathologists compared with the 15 employed five years ago. The NHLS has committed to outsourcing the most urgent tests to the private sector, which could potentially do up to 3,000 tests a month, Bloom indicated. The NHLS said collaboration with the private sector was essential for maintaining services, but declined to comment on the specific terms of its contracts or its financial arrangements with private providers. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tamar Kahn at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
More than 100 illegal immigrants arrested, businesses fined in labour blitz in KZN The Mercury reports that more than 100 illegal immigrants were arrested, a stolen vehicle was recovered and businesses were cited for non-compliance with several laws during a week-long blitz in KwaZulu-Natal by the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL), Home Affairs and the police. Representatives from the Municipal Enforcement Agency and the Bargaining Council were also part of the operation. At one business, an employer was issued a contravention notice for under-declaring wages and failing to comply with the National Minimum Wage. The workers also received their full wages immediately. On Wednesday, in eMabhodini in Newcastle, 158 illegal immigrants were detained with four employers cited for non-compliance with various legislations, and one stolen vehicle was recovered. DEL deputy minister Jomo Sibiya reported: “We inspected six companies, and we found that all six companies are not complying with all our laws. Whether you talk about Occupational Health and Safety, UIF (Unemployment Insurance Fund), Compensation Fund, whether you talk about minimum wage or Basic Conditions of Employment Act, everything, they are not complying.” He said employees were subjected to inadequate compensation, they were not issued with proper pay slips and were not paid the correct wages for holidays and Sunday work. Their pay also fell below minimum wage. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Thobeka Ngema at The Mercury
Allegations of toxic leadership against CapeNature's CFO prompt collective grievance Weekend Argus reports that CapeNature’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Information Officer (CIO), is facing a collective grievance lodged by multiple employees across the organization. The grievance, signed by staff from various departments between 27 August and 2 September, outlines a series of allegations that employees say have created an “intolerable and toxic work environment”. These include claims of victimisation, gaslighting, unilateral decision-making, manipulation of processes, and discriminatory behaviour, particularly towards female staff. Among the allegations, the CFO is accused of disrespectful and abrupt communication, inconsistent application of policies, and using company property for unrelated activities while disciplining others for the same. Staff also claim he imposed religious beliefs in the workplace and misled both the Board and provincial authorities about budget allocations. The grievance warns that the CFO’s conduct has caused emotional and psychological distress, with one executive reportedly seeking medical support to cope with the stress. Staff have requested that the official be placed on precautionary suspension to ensure an independent investigation can proceed without intimidation. In response, CapeNature confirmed it was aware of the matter. “CapeNature has received a grievance, and a structured internal HR grievance process is being followed,” the organisation indicated. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tracy-Lynn Ruiters at Weekend Argus
Neasa, Sakeliga turn to SCA and ConCourt to challenge ‘defective’ High Court equity target ruling News24 reports that the National Employers’ Association of SA (Neasa) and Sakeliga have approached both the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) and the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) to appeal a Gauteng High Court dismissal of their bid to interdict new employment equity regulations. The regulations, in effect since 1 September, require businesses with 50 employees or more to enforce sectoral equity targets as set by the Minister of Employment and Labour. The regulations have seen several attempts at legal pushback from business interest groups, including Business Unity SA and Seifsa, since their announcement in April. With the targets now operational, employers are mandated to incorporate the regulations into their equity plans. This could lead to discrimination against employees or jobseekers considered “overrepresented” in certain roles, according to Neasa and Sakeliga. Calling the High Court judgment “defective”, Neasa and Sakeliga allege multiple errors in the decision, including its failure to recognise the constitutional relevance of the matter. Their original application for the interdict against the sectoral targets was on the grounds of failure to publish draft targets, inadequate consultation with sectors, imposition of unfair discrimination against women, disregard for the current demographic makeup of sectors, and neglecting to conduct a socioeconomic impact study. The High Court considered only three of these grounds, a limitation the applicants argue resulted in a defective judgment. The minister has 10 days to respond to the ConCourt application, while a High Court hearing date on the appeal has yet to be set. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Aurelia Mouton at News24 (subscription / trial registration required). Read too, Employment equity judgment to face SCA and Constitutional Court challenges, at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
Nominal salaries increased marginally in August, but there were fewer high-income earners The Citizen reports that the revamped version of BankservAfrica’s Take-Home Pay index shows that monthly salaries increased marginally in August, although it recorded fewer high-income earners. PayInc, formerly BankservAfrica, launched the PayInc Net Salary Index on Thursday. It is a revamped version of the well-known Take-home Pay Index and features a revised sample and new methodology to deliver deeper insights into SA salary trends and the labour market. Tracking the nominal net salaries of an estimated 2.1 million recipients earning between R5,000 and R100,000 per month, the revised PayInc sample for August showed fewer salaries were paid in the higher income range of between R40,000 and R100,000 in the first eight months of 2025. The PayInc Net Salary Index increased marginally in August, with monthly salaries reaching R21,222, namely 0.2% up on July’s level and 2.0% higher than a year ago. In real terms, the PayInc Net Salary Index decreased by 0.1% month-on-month to R20,758 in August 2025, marginally lower compared to R20,782 in July. “The recovery in salaries reflects the moderate improvement in economic activity and the economy’s resilience. The refreshed PayInc Net Salary Index reinforces the view that 2025 is shaping up to be a positive salary year, despite the uncertainties and challenges weighing on the economic outlook,” Elize Kruger, an independent economist, commented. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ina Opperman at The Citizen
Acting head of Ekurhuleni metro cops takes special leave amid Madlanga Commission allegations News24 reports that the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) acting head, Julius Mkhwanazi, has applied for and been granted special leave. A metro spokesperson confirmed this on Thursday, but did not divulge why the top cop would be absent from work. Mkhwanazi’s decision to apply for special leave, however, comes on the back of allegations made in the Madlanga Commission last week by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. The KwaZulu-Natal top cop told the commission that tender kingpin Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala had been enjoying extraordinary privileges from law enforcement in Ekurhuleni. He accused the EMPD acting head of facilitating the registration of several vehicles belonging to Matlala in the name of the metro police department while using government funds to cover the costs. The allegations extended further, with claims that these vehicles were unlawfully fitted with blue lights intended exclusively for municipal law enforcement vehicles. Mkhwanazi said this clearly violated the National Road Traffic Act. “It’s an emergency light; it’s a warning light. But this was not only done by Matlala privately [with a] service provider, but it was done by law enforcement of Ekurhuleni,” he claimed. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Noxolo Sibiya & Iavan Pijoos at News24 (subscription / trial registration required). Read too, Ekurhuleni council rejects motion to suspend EMPD deputy chief Mkhwanazi, at EWN
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