In our Tuesday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South
African labour-related reports.
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SIU uncovers three syndicates behind looting at Tembisa Hospital of more than R2bn TimesLIVE reports that the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has found that three co-ordinated syndicates were at the centre of looting more than R2bn meant for health-care services at Tembisa Hospital. This emerged on Monday morning when the SIU released its interim report on alleged large-scale corruption at the embattled hospital. Presenting the findings, SIU interim head advocate Andy Mothibi said serious maladministration and procurement fraud had been revealed. The hospital scandal came into the national spotlight after the assassination of whistle-blower Babita Deokaran in August 2021. Deokaran, who was the chief director of financial accounting in the Gauteng health department and who was shot dead in a hit. It later emerged that her murder was linked to attempts to stop her exposing the fraudulent network siphoning millions from the hospital. Mothibi said the SIU probe involved 207 service providers which traded with the hospital through 4,501 purchase orders (POs). The SIU identified three major criminal networks behind the looting. “At least 15 current and former officials have been identified in activities including corruption, money-laundering, collusion and bid rigging. These range from entry-level clerks to senior management and the number is expected to grow as the probe continues,” Mothibi advised. He added that the SIU’s work would continue and further findings would be handed over to the National Prosecuting Authority for possible criminal prosecution, while disciplinary action and civil recoveries would also follow. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Yoliswa Sobuwa at TimesLIVE Junior clerks among Tembisa staff paid millions in bribes by syndicates EWN reports that the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has revealed that more than R120 million in corrupt payments were made to Tembisa Hospital staff by syndicates in exchange for the awarding of tenders. The revelation comes as the SIU released its interim report into corruption at the facility. It found that R2 billion was siphoned from the hospital through irregular tenders involving shell companies. According to the SIU, over R122 million in bribes was split among 15 hospital employees who allegedly facilitated money laundering, collusion, and bid rigging with improperly appointed service providers. SIU head Advocate Andy Mothibi said the implicated employees were mostly junior staffers. “The phenomenon of lower officials causing more damage has been observed in other investigations, such as the Home Affairs investigations,” he noted. While one mid-level manager at the hospital allegedly received R30 million from a syndicate linked to businessmen Hangwani Morgan Maumela and Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, several entry-level clerks were also implicated, allegedly pocketing bribes ranging between R1.1 million and R6 million. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Kgomotso Modise at EWN Gauteng Health MEC spells out the action taken against officials in Tembisa Hospital corruption scandal IOL News reports that Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko has revealed that the department has acted against some of the officials involved in the R2 billion Tembisa Hospital corruption scandal. She was speaking during a media briefing by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), which on Monday made public the interim report into the corruption at the hospital. The SIU report revealed that over R2 billion was looted at Tembisa Hospital. Some of the activities were flagged by Babita Doekaran, who lifted the lead on suspicious payments of R850 million, before she was murdered in 2021. "Some of the officials have run away. Most of them have resigned and we have acted against 11 officials who the SIU has identified. We have recommended disciplinary processes and we have laid criminal charges. Some officials are still under investigation," Nkomo-Ralehoko indicated. She said that since she took office, they have dealt with tender corruption and tightened controls in the supply chain systems. "When I arrived there in October 2022, we tightened controls as the Department of Health, especially with supply chain processes, which are in line with the legislation and regulatory framework to ensure that we mitigate against corruption, irregular expenditure, and maladministration while fostering accountability," Nkomo-Ralehoko advised. SUI head Advocate Andy Mothibi said there had to be more consequence management to ensure that corruption was rooted out completely. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Siyabonga Sithole at IOL News Other internet posting(s) in this news category
HERD euthanises elephant Limpopo after fatal attack on senior carer Cape Times reports that the elephant involved in a fatal incident with a senior carer at the Hoedspruit Elephant Rehabilitation and Development Trust (HERD) has been euthanised, following a failed attempt to relocate her in which she showed aggression to other staff. HERD senior carer, Israel Shambira, was fatally gored by the 19-year-old female elephant named Limpopo earlier this month. In the days following the incident, the Trust’s carers remained in a state of heightened stress and concern, particularly regarding the safety of being near Limpopo. After consultation it was decided to move Limpopo along with six of her companions to a secure 35ha enclosure located approximately ten kilometres away. Nine elephants were to remain at HERD. On 19 September, as the selected elephants started their walk from the HERD boma, within a few hundred metres the elephants from both groups began vocalizing and becoming very excitable. During the excitement, Limpopo showed hyper-aggression towards one of the carers and the operations manager. The escalating risk posed by Limpopo’s aggressive behaviour ultimately made her presence unpredictable and unsafe for all staff at HERD and on the reserve. Following further expert guidance and careful internal deliberation, HERD said it faced the devastating but unavoidable decision to euthanise Limpopo. Limpopo was humanely euthanised. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Cape Times Pobe into deaths of three constables found in Hennops River ongoing and receiving ‘focused attention’ The Citizen reports that the investigation into the tragic deaths of three young police constables whose bodies were recovered from the Hennops River is still ongoing. This was revealed following questions about the investigation from the families of constables Keamogetswe Buys, 30, Boipelo Senoge, 20, and Cebekhulu Linda, 24, whose bodies were retrieved from the river along the N1 North in Centurion, days after they were reported missing. National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the investigation remained active and was receiving focused attention. “Both SAPS (SA Police Service) and private specialists have submitted reports as prescribed. Preliminary post-mortem reports have been received, but the final reports, which will include blood alcohol results, toxicology and histology, are still awaited. hese findings are critical before the investigation can be concluded,” Mathe advised. She added that analysis of physical evidence was also still underway. The trio was motoring from Bloemfontein to their area of deployment in Limpopo in April when they went missing. Theit last known location was at the Engen garage near the Grasmere toll plaza on the N1 south of Joburg. Their lifeless bodies were recovered days later from the Hennops River. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Faizel Patel at The Citizen. Lees ook, Steeds geen antwoorde ná Vrystaat-konstabels sterf, by Maroela Media Hunt for shooter after police constable wounded in Missionvale on Sunday The Herald reports that a search has been launched for an armed man who opened fire on a police patrol vehicle and wounded one of the occupants in Missionvale on Sunday night. Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Majola Nkohli reported that Algoa Park police were conducting routine patrols in Jack Road, Missionvale, at about 11pm on Sunday when a man emerged from between the houses and opened fire on a patrol vehicle. A police constable sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was rushed to hospital. The shooter fled and was still at large, Nkohli said. A case of attempted murder has been opened. Acting provincial commissioner Major-General Thandiswa Kupiso condemned the incident and indicated that maximum resources have been activated to assist with the investigation. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at The Herald Safety at Gauteng clinics in the spotlight News24 reports that last year, during extended hours for the Christmas period, a man walked into the Randburg Clinic and snuck into the vital signs room, where he attacked and almost succeeded in raping a nurse who had stayed late to help. This was one of six serious incidents at the clinic from January 2024 until the present and was indicated in a response from Gauteng Department of Health head Lesiba Malotana to questions from DA Gauteng spokesperson for health and member of the legislature Jack Bloom. According to Democratic Nursing Organisation of SA (Denosa) Gauteng chair Bongani Banda, safety is one of the union’s biggest concerns. He said the organisation had addressed the Gauteng health department on numerous occasions about the safety of staff. According to Banda, there were often not enough guards or they were not paid. He also noted that some of the guards had told Denosa that they had been hired to protect the property and the contents of the building, but it was “not in their job description” to protect the staff. Banda said the security problem was province-wide and named a number of clinics as being of particular concern after recent incidents affecting the safety of healthcare workers: He added that in many clinics in townships nurses had to contend with violence. Nurses working at night were particularly vulnerable to attacks. Banda said he had spoken to the Gauteng health department about getting panic buttons for nurses, while CCTV cameras were also needed as well as burglar guards in some instances. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Alex Patrick at News24 (subscription / trial registration required)
Solidarity conducts follow-up visit to the White House following ministers’ criticism Maroela Media reports that the Solidarity Movement paid a follow-up visit to the White House over the weekend in the wake of criticism by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola, as well as statements by Firoz Cachalia, acting Minister of Police, that the treason investigation against Solidarity and AfriForum was being prioritised. The White House requested the Solidarity Movement to provide clarification on these ministerial statements as well as additional information about Solidarity’s proposed trade framework. Solidarity’s Head of International Liaison, Jaco Kleynhans, commented: “We had an excellent and constructive discussion. Both Solidarity and the United States of America want a trade agreement. It is in the USA’s interest, but also in the interest of Solidarity members, workers in general and South Africa itself. The White House is clearly frustrated with the South African government. Concluding a trade agreement is within reach, but the South African government lacks the political will.” During the follow-up meeting, Solidarity addressed further questions from the White House. Proposals were made on how American businesses could be exempted from race-based legislation, and potential special economic zones were discussed. There was also discussion about which industries might receive tariff relief and how the codes of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) could be used for this purpose. Read the full original of the Afrikaans report in the above regard at Maroela Media Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Union heads to labour court in bid to stop job cuts at SAB News24 reports that the Food and Allied Workers Union (FAWU) has launched an urgent legal bid to stop SA Breweries (SAB), the local unit of global brewing giant AB InBev, from cutting 233 local warehouse jobs. In a statement on Monday, FAWU said its application was due to be heard on an urgent basis in the Labour Court on Tuesday. The trade union said its action followed SAB’s decision to “unilaterally implement retrenchments”, which it claimed had begun on 31 August. FAWU is seeking a court order, firstly, to get SAB to follow “fair procedure” in the retrenchments that have already taken place, as well as those that will still take effect. Secondly, it wants to “interdict and restrain” SAB and its parent, AB InBev, from dismissing any additional FAWU members, “pending compliance with a fair procedure”. It also wants the company to reinstate any members who have already been denied such fair procedure. According to FAWU, following notification of the possible retrenchments, SAB had turned down its request for “all relevant information” to understand the underlying business problems. This prompted FAWU to lodge an application with the CCMA to seek the disclosure of the information. According to the union, the CCMA had concurred that the information provided was deficient, and that this confirmed the union’s concern that “SAB InBev is obstructing a genuine problem-solving consultation”. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nick Wilson at News24 (subscription / trial registration required)
IDC mulling R8.5bn bid for control of ArcelorMittal SA Bloomberg reports that the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) is apparently working with financial advisers on a possible bid of about R8.5 billion for control of ArcelorMittal SA’s (Amsa’s) business in SA. If successful, the bid, which would include taking on debt, would end almost two years of negotiations with the state development finance institution, the government’s trade and industry department, and the global steelmaker. It could also pave the way for the entry of other international steel companies as the IDC apparently plans to seek strategic investors to run the plants. Amsa’s November 2023 announcement that it planned to shut two steel mills that produce grades that are crucial to SA’s automotive and mining industries sparked the talks. Those facilities, in Newcastle and Vereeniging, employ about 3,500 people, while some 100,000 more work at their suppliers or customers. The IDC is the biggest shareholder in Amsa after its parent. No final decisions have been made and a transaction may not be concluded, according to knowledgeable sources. Still, one of them said, ArcelorMittal was likely to accept an offer of that size. In addition to the so-called long-steel plants it may close, Amsa operates a flat-steel plant, producing sheets and other products used in manufacturing and construction in Vanderbijlpark. It also owns idled facilities in Pretoria and in Saldanha, as well as a shuttered iron-ore mine that could be reopened. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Loni Prinsloo & Antony Sguazzin at Moneyweb
Nampak picks Riaan Heyl as new CEO after succession turmoil BL Premium reports that Nampak has announced the appointment of Riaan Heyl as its new CEO, with effect from February 2026. Heyl, a chartered accountant, has more than 20 years’ experience in the fast-moving consumer goods sector. He was most recently CEO of PepsiCo SA, where he led the integration of Pioneer Foods after its 2020 takeover by the US food and beverage group. His appointment is intended to bring stability to Nampak as it continues its financial and operational recovery after several years of restructuring and leadership uncertainty. The appointment comes after a turbulent succession process at the packaging group. Phil Roux, who has led Nampak since 2022 and has overseen restructuring, debt reduction and operational streamlining, had planned to retire at the end of September. He was to have been succeeded by Andrew Hood, then COO and head of the diversified portfolio, from October. But Hood resigned earlier this month, citing family reasons, leaving the company without a designated successor. Nampak’s board extended Roux’s tenure beyond his planned retirement to provide continuity while a permanent replacement was sought. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lindiwe Tsobo at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
KZN education department faces financial crisis due to ghost employees, mismanagement IOL News reports that payments to ghost employees has contributed to the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) education department's financial crisis. This was revealed by the Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube, who held an urgent meeting in Durban on Monday with Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli, Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka and Finance MEC Francois Rogers in an attempt to avert a further crisis in the department. Speaking to the media afterwards, Gwarube said while the reason for the crisis was a historical underinvestment in education, the financial crisis was also compounded by payments to ghost employees and for non-existent pupils. She said despite previous manual head count exercises to root out the problem, it persisted because people managed to find new ways of cheating the system. “The department has not been prudent and there must be accountability for that. For instance the department has been paying ghost employees, failing to remove retired or dead employees from the system as well as for inflated pupil numbers in schools. We need to do an audit to clean out the system,” said Gwarube. Although the meeting acknowledged that R3.4 billion was urgently needed, there was no commitment as to when and where the money would come from. Gwarube and Ntuli promised to negotiate with the National Treasury to bail out the department. It also emerged that the R3.4 billion would be a short term measure with Rodgers putting the overall figure at R7 billion in order to normalise the provincial government finances. He said that another reason for the financial mess was the national government’s mistake of approving an unfunded wage increase which had cost the provincial fiscus R80 billion. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Willem Phungula| at IOL News. Read too, Teacher union Naptosa voices concern over KZN education department's financial crisis, at The Mercury
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