In our Tuesday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South
African labour-related reports.
|
Department of Social Development Minister’s romantic ties to special adviser raise red flags Daily Maverick writes that Department of Social Development (DSD) Minister Sisisi Tolashe is allegedly in a romantic relationship with her special adviser Ngwako Kgatla, whom she appears to be shielding from disciplinary charges. Over the past two years, Tolashe is said to have ensured that Kgatla remained close by her side, first employing him in her previous job as deputy minister of women, youth and persons with disabilities, and then selecting him as her special adviser at the DSD. Insiders say his influence over Tolashe and the department’s decisions is concerning, and there is evidence to suggest shielding of Kgatla from disciplinary charges. Leaked pictures allegedly showing messages exchanged between Tolashe and Kgatla may cast new light on the nature of their relationship — suggesting it may be more personal than professional, and potentially explaining the preferential treatment that department staffers allege he has received. The images are photographs taken of a phone screen showing an undated WhatsApp exchange between the owner of the phone, allegedly Tolashe, and a contact saved as “kgatlangwako”. The profile picture seems to match the appearance of Ngwako Kgatla. According to sources, the relationship between Tolashe and Kgatla is an open secret within the DSD. DSD spokesperson Sandy Godlwana responded: “The minister will not dignify these defamatory and baseless allegations, which are meant to cause irreparable damage to her reputation, with a reply.” Tebogo Khaas of Public Interest SA commented: “While personal relationships are not inherently problematic, when such a relationship exists between a minister and a senior official — especially one directly accountable to the minister — it raises unavoidable concerns around conflicts of interest, abuse of power and compromised professional judgment.” Read the full original of the extensive report in the above regard by Rebecca Davis at Daily Maverick
Cosatu rallies Cape workers for International Day for Decent Work on Tuesday IOL News reports that the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) expects 5,000 workers and affiliate supporters to show up for its march in Cape Town on Tuesday to mark the International Day for Decent Work. The march forms part of activities in all provinces to raise awareness of the plight of millions and place a spotlight on the call for decent work. The march in Cape Town is expected to begin at Hanover Street at 10am, with the first stop set for the Western Cape Provincial Legislature, and then ending at the City of Cape Town’s Civic Centre offices. Western Cape Provincial Secretary, Malvern De Bruyn, said they would be handing over a memorandum to Premier Alan Winde, and have sent communication to the office of the National Assembly speaker, Thoko Didiza, to also be in attendance at the legislature for the memorandum collection. “Our memorandum will cover the issues of International Day of Decent Work, and we’re also calling for jobs, and the protection of jobs in the province and nationally. The content (of the memos) will basically cover job losses in our country, and where we also demand decent work for our workers. We want more jobs,” De Bruyn said. He indicated that they would also be handing over a memo to the City of Cape Town Mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis, covering the issue of high electricity and water tariffs, as well as the City’s “anti-poor Budget”. Cosatu will also be asking for the abolishment of the Expanded Public Works Programme “that has been abused by the City of Cape Town.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Theolin Tembo at IOL News Cosatu to highlight challenges of workers during international day of action in Durban on Tuesday The Mercury reports that the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) is set to hold a national day of action on Tuesday to mark the International Day for Decent Work. The trade union federation said this year’s action was doubly significant as it would be celebrating its 40th anniversary on 6 December at Dobsonville Stadium and it follows the 80th anniversary of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) on 3 October. In a statement, Cosatu said despite the hard-won gains over the past four decades, workers were still confronted by crippling economic challenges, including joblessness, poverty and inequality. Marches will be held in all major cities in the country including Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town. In Durban, the march will start at the King Dinuzulu Park at 9am and will end at City Hall, where a memorandum will be handed over to government, state owned entities and employers. Cosatu also said it would soon embark on a living wage campaign, during which it would advocate for workers to be paid twice the National Minimum Wage. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at The Mercury
Two men arrested for assaulting a female police officer in Kimberley on Monday IOL News reports that two men were arrested on the spot after assaulting a female police officer during crime prevention duties in the Kimberley CBD on Monday. A video of the incident, which has since gone viral, shows a man attacking the female constable while she was performing her duties. In the footage, the man, whose identity has not yet been released, can also be seen pulling off the officer’s weave. Members of the public appear to attempt to assist the officer, and a second police vehicle arrives shortly after to support the officer under attack. Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Mashay Gamieldien confirmed that two men were arrested at the scene by other SA Police Service (SAPS) members who were part of the same crime prevention team. The suspects face charges of assaulting a police official, resisting arrest, defeating the ends of justice, and malicious damage to property. The officer sustained minor injuries and received medical attention. She is also undergoing counselling and debriefing provided by SAPS Employee Health and Wellness (EHW) unit professionals. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Simon Majadibodu at IOL News. Read too, Attack on female police officer in Kimberley caught on camera, and view the video at News24 (subscription / trial registration required) Checkers Sixty60 experiencing driver shortage in KZN due to intimidation by former dismissed riders IOL Business reports that Checkers Sixty60 shoppers in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) hoping to have their groceries delivered to them will have to wait a little longer as the service continues to grapple with a shortage of drivers. In a letter to customers on Monday, the Sixty60 team explained that there have been disruptions to services in parts of KZN. "These disruptions have been led by a small group of disgruntled former riders who were dismissed for clear non-compliance to the operational requirements of the business. This group has taken it upon themselves, through intimidation, to try and prevent the compliant driver network from delivering to customers," the letter read. The company said a number of cases have been opened with police and additional security had been procured to protect those drivers still working, and to limit further service disruptions. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Se-Anne Rall at IOL Business Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Fawu has ‘re-enrolled’ its case against SAB in bid to halt job cuts News24 reports that the Food and Allied Workers Union (Fawu) has reinstated its case against South African Breweries (SAB) in a bid to stop the local unit of global brewing giant AB InBev from cutting 233 local warehouse jobs. The union said in a statement on Monday that the matter has been “re-enrolled” in the Labour Court (LC) and would be heard on 14 October. Last week, it was reported the LC had dismissed an urgent application brought by Fawu seeking to prevent SAB from cutting the jobs concerned, citing defects in the union’s application. SAB confirmed last Wednesday that the matter had been struck from the court’s roll because the application was “not compliant with urgent Labour Court applications” and did not follow the requirements. On Monday, Fawu pointed out that media reports had been misleading and maintained that the matter had not been “not dismissed”, but just “struck off the roll”. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Nick Wilson News24 (subscription / trial registration required)
NUM challenges Eskom unbundling as a ‘neoliberal privatisation programme’ BL Premium reports that the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has lodged two disputes over Eskom’s unbundling, which it has denounced as a neoliberal agenda designed to pave the way for privatisation of the power utility. Eskom confirmed in its integrated report released last week that organised labour had declared two disputes relating to the separation of the National Transmission Company of SA (NTCSA) and the intended separation of the National Electricity Distribution Company of SA (NEDCSA). It said this was creating “challenges in the consultation process until the arbitration is concluded”, adding it could cause further delays to the timelines. Eskom is being unbundled into three distinct entities responsible for generation, transmission and distribution, as part of a major restructuring drive. NUM energy sector co-ordinator Khangela Baloyi said the Cosatu affiliate lodged the disputes with Tokiso Dispute Settlement, a private and independent dispute resolution company. He commented further: “The dispute resolution process is going on, albeit very slowly. The NUM is clear: the unbundling agenda is a neoliberal programme which seeks to privatise Eskom.” National Council of Trade Unions (Nactu) general secretary Narius Moloto said the union federation did not understand the basis of the NUM’s objections and was happy that Eskom had achieved a profitable position for the first time in a long time. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinessLive (subscriber access only) Eskom CEO Dan Marokane’s pay package for year ended March 2025 exceeded R14m Daily Investor reports that last week Eskom released its annual financial results for the year ended 31 March 2025, which revealed that CEO Dan Marokane received a pay package of over R14 million. The financial results showed that the public utility swung back into profit for the first time in eight years, having recorded a profit of R16.05 billion for its 2025 financial year against the previous year’s loss of R55.02 billion. Eskom’s revenue grew by 15% to R340.9 billion, while its profit for the year grew by 129% to R16.05 billion. Eskom announced that it paid Marokane R11.73 million in the 2025 financial year. His total remuneration included a basic salary of R9 million, short-term incentives (STI) worth R765,000 and other payments of R1.96 million. In addition, he was also awarded a R2.5 million STI payout for the 2025 financial year. This was not included in Eskom’s remuneration report, as it was still awaiting shareholder approval. This bonus puts Marokane’s total pay package over the R14 million line for the year. A table in the Daily Investor report shows how much Eskom paid its executive directors and group executives over the last financial year. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Kirsten Minnaar at Daily Investor Other internet posting(s) in this news category
MPs must weigh risk of ‘enormous’ UIF costs after parental leave ruling by ConCourt BL Premium reports that parliament has been tasked with reviewing the law to cushion the impact of a potentially “enormous” financial burden on the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) triggered by a landmark Constitutional Court (ConCourt) order that allows parents to share statutory maternity leave equally. Currently only biological mothers are entitled to four months of paid maternity leave. But on Friday, the apex court confirmed a 2023 High Court ruling which declared labour laws that entitled employed birth mothers to four months of maternity leave but fathers or partners to only 10 days’ parental leave invalid and inconsistent with the constitution. The ConCourt judgment provided an interim reading-in of changes to the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) that will be operative for the 36 months afforded to MPs to remedy the constitutional defects. However, the court did not issue an interim order correcting the corresponding UIF Act provisions, citing a possible “enormous financial burden” on the UIF. In terms of the current law, only biological mothers in employment are entitled to receive UIF benefits, up to a maximum of four months. According to labour lawyer and MP Michael Bagraim, the fund should not have any problems with money because it’s “generously funded”. He added, however, that parliament would have to do a lot of work to decide the detail of how the BCEA should be changed to comply with the court order in a sustainable manner. Cosatu’s Matthew Parks said there should be urgent engagements at Nedlac with the Department of Employment & Labour to effect the necessary legislative amendments. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sinesipho Schrieber at BusinessLive (subscriber access only) Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Buti Manamela loses in court after ‘terminating’ top Seta official’s contract too soon News24 reports that Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) Minister Buti Manamela has suffered yet another blow from the administrative mess at the Sector Education and Training Authorities (Setas). Just like his predecessor, Manamela made appointments at three Setas without the knowledge of one of them, who never met with department officials despite being “appointed”. In his latest blunder, Manamela prematurely thanked and effectively ended the employment of Local Government Seta (LGSETA) CEO Ineeleng Molete three months ahead of his contract end date of 31 December. Manamela wrote to Molete, extending his appreciation for his service as the Seta’s CEO. The very next day, Molete wrote back to Manamela, explaining that he was not party to any decision that amended his contract’s terms and that his contract, as concluded, “remains binding and enforceable.” Molete asked Manamela to confirm that the LGSETA would honour his employment contract until it ends at the end of the year, else he would approach the courts. Molete then approached the Joburg Labour Court, which ruled in his favour. According to the provisional court order, parties are to meet on 20 November for Manamela and the LGSETA to show cause why an order should not be handed down declaring that Molete’s contract expires on 31 December. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jason Felix at News24 (subscription / trial registration required) Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Pension Funds Adjudicator highlights 13% rise in complaints due to two-pot withdrawal challenges The Mercury reports that the Office of the Pension Funds Adjudicator (OPFA) recorded a 13% increase in new complaints during the 2024/25 financial year. It attributed part of the rise to challenges linked to the implementation of the two-pot retirement system. According to the OPFA’s latest annual report, the pensions dispute resolution forum received 10,31 new complaints, up from 9,177 in the previous year, and it finalised 10,100 cases. A total of 239 complaints received between September 2024 and March 2025 related specifically to the two-pot system, which came into effect on 1 September 2024. The new system allows fund members to access a portion of their retirement savings without resigning from employment. However, the report found that some funds struggled to process the high volume of withdrawal applications. Additionally, others were unable to pay claims due to employers’ arrear contributions. Non-compliance with Section 13A of the Pension Funds Act, which obliges employers to pay over retirement fund contributions, remained one of the biggest issues. These cases accounted for 44.34% of all complaints investigated and closed, followed by withdrawal benefit complaints, which made up 38.79%. The report noted that the two categories often overlapped, as many employees only discovered unpaid employer contributions when attempting to withdraw their funds. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana described the recurring issues as “of great concern”. He urged stakeholders to “remediate this undesirable result of poor fund governance, management, and administration.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Siphesihle Buthelezi at The Mercury. Read too, How the two-pot pension system is leading to a surge in complaints, at IOL Business Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Greater Letaba officials looted R2.8 million from Limpopo driving licence centre City Press reports that an investigation by an external law firm has exposed how officials of the Greater Letaba Local Municipality in Limpopo orchestrated a R2.8 million corruption scheme that systematically looted public funds from the local driving licence testing centre. Ratepayers suffered as money meant for essential municipal services disappeared into private pockets. The damning report reveals how senior municipal officials violated financial policies, created fictitious transactions and deliberately kept millions in cash unbanked between November 2021 and March 2023. Chief licensing officer Emmanuel Shai, accountant revenue official David Kubayi and several cashiers have been implicated in the sophisticated scheme that saw R1.27 million disappear from municipal coffers through unbanked cash alone. The scandal centres on the municipality’s Driving Licence Testing Centre, where officials abandoned basic financial controls to facilitate systematic theft. Of 482 transactions worth R7.5 million, investigators found that 17% of collected funds never reached the municipal bank account. The investigation revealed gross negligence, dereliction of duty and potential criminal conduct by several officials. It recommended immediate disciplinary action and criminal proceedings against those responsible. Apparently, some of the officials implicated in the scandal have since left the licensing department and are now working for the Limpopo legislature. Read the full original of the extensive report in the above regard by Norman Masungwini at City Press (subscription / trial registration required) Transnet locomotive corruption case against Brian Molefe and co-accused postponed to 18 November IOL News reports that the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crime Court has postponed the case against former Transnet executives, including former Group Chief Executive Officer Brian Molefe, to 18 November 2025. The postponement is to allow the State to finalise the indictment and set a date for the matter to be transferred to the High Court. Molefe faces charges alongside former Group Chief Financial Officer Anoj Singh, former Chief Executive Officer Siyabonga Gama, and Thamsanqa Jiyane, who was Chief Procurement Officer at Transnet Freight Rail. The four stand accused of 17 charges, including contraventions of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), fraud, corruption, and breaches of the Companies Act. The charges relate to the procurement of locomotives during Transnet’s efforts to expand and modernise the country’s rail infrastructure. The accused are alleged to have flouted tender processes by irregularly awarding the contracts, which resulted in financial losses to Transnet amounting to millions of rands. The allegations concern three contracts awarded for 95, 100, and 1,064 locomotives. The accused remain out on R50,000 bail each, which has been extended. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Hope Ntanzi at IOL News. Lees ook, Brian Molefe en Kie binnekort in hooggeregshof oor lokomotief-tenders, by Maroela Media Other internet posting(s) in this news category
|
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page