In our Thursday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South
African labour-related reports.
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BEE in South Africa is broken and only empowers a handful of elites Daily Investor writes that with the government’s policy of Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) tainted by corruption and cronyism, its continued implementation is increasingly being challenged. An overhaul of the policy is said to be required to ensure it empowereda broader cross-section of SA society, and not just a handful of elites. It has been estimated that around R1 trillion worth of BEE deals have only circulated among approximately 100 well-connected individuals. The call for a review of BEE policy in SA was made by Trade Minister Parks Tau and former president Kgalema Motlanthe during a B-BBEE dialogue this week. Their call to review the policy seeks to remove loopholes that have been exploited by well-connected individuals. Political analyst Dr Harlan Cloete commented: “I think the principle of black economic empowerment is correct, with a majority of people being excluded from the economy. What we have seen, however, is that the application of BEE has resulted in a small elite benefiting through that in South Africa.” Cloete also said BEE should not be used as or seen as a punitive measure, but as a way of including more South Africans in the economy. Cloete’s comments echo those of who say BEE has become a tool to redistribute wealth from some South Africans to a select group of individuals without creating new wealth or growing the economy. According to economist Dawie Roodt, the policy has had a negative impact on growth and development. He said the way to truly empower South Africans was to equip them with the right skills to be able to find employment and participate in the local economy Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Shaun Jacobs at Daily Investor. Read too, Former president Motlanthe champions the evolution of B-BBEE despite challenges, at Daily News Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Two men released on warning after allegedly assaulting female police officer in Kimberley Cape Times reports that two men who allegedly assaulted a female police officer while she was attempting to apprehend them in Beaconsfield over the weekend were released on warning after appearing in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court. During the scuffle on 4 October, two additional police officers arrived to assist SA Police Service (SAPS) members who were being manhandled and assaulted. Adrian Ramzan, 21, and Antonia Ramzan, 25, made a brief appearance in the court on Monday and the matter was postponed until 25 November. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Northern Cape spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane said the State had requested bail of R1,000 each. “However, the court released them on warning after their defence attorney argued that the bail amount suggested by the State was unaffordable,” he indicated. The pair face charges of interfering with SAPS members, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH) and malicious damage to property. Meanwhile, the Northern Cape MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison, Limakatso Koloi, said she was “deeply disturbed” by the attack, describing it as an act of “senseless violence” directed at members of the SAPS, particularly a female officer. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sandi Kwon Hoo at Cape Times
AMCU reports that wage talks at Sibanye-Stillwater’s gold division have deadlocked Mining Weekly reports that the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) is in dispute with Sibanye-Stillwater’s gold division because wage talks have deadlocked. “Despite gold selling at record highs of more than $3 900/oz and management paying themselves salary hikes of up to 39% and multimillion-rand bonuses, Sibanye-Stillwater offers workers a meagre R650 increase,” the union indicated in a statement. AMCU, along with three other unions which have organisational rights at Sibanye-Stillwater’s gold operations on the West Rand and in the Free State, commenced wage negotiations on 14 July. This after the previous unusually short wage agreement for a single year had already lapsed on 30 June. After five wage negotiation meetings were held, the parties reached a deadlock. At an internal dispute resolution meeting held on 2 October, the four unions consolidated their demands to a unified position of a monthly increase of R1,300 for the lowest-earning mineworkers, and 6.5% for higher-level ‘miners, artisans and officials’. According to AMCU, Sibanye-Stillwater’s management team refused to move and thus a stalemate was reached. The union highlighted the discrepancy between record high gold prices and the wages of mineworkers in the sector. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Mining Weekly Anglo American accused of betraying South Africa and breaking its promises The Citizen reports that Anglo American’s decision to significantly reduce its presence in SA has been labelled as a betrayal by mining community representative Boyce Kunupi. The mining giant has announced a merger with Canadian Teck Resources to form Anglo Teck, with headquarters to be in Vancouver, Canada. Anglo will still have offices in London and Johannesburg, while retaining its primary stock listing in London and listing on the Johannesburg, Toronto, and New York stock exchanges. Despite the mining giant stating it would continue to honour its commitments in SA, Kunupi, who serves on the Tlou Mogale Foundation, said the mining giant has broken its promises to the mining community in the country. Referring to the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA), Kunupi pointed out that mining companies were legally required to give back to the communities where they operated. For any mining company to obtain a mining right, it must submit a social and labour plan (SLP) that outlines how it will create jobs, train local people and invest in community development projects, such as schools, clinics or roads. According Kunupit, Anglo American has not done this adequately and still owes many communities much of what was promised. Reducing its footprint in the country could mean it will no longer give back to mining communities. He added that the company’s decision meant disinvestment in the country, as it would result in fewer jobs and further damage to the GDP. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tshehla Cornelius Koteli at The Citizen. Read too, Anglo chief blames decades of poor policy for SA’s missed mining boom, at BusinessLive
Home Affairs Minister extends Zimbabwe Exemption Permit, providing relief to thousands living in SA IOL News reports that in a move bringing relief to thousands of Zimbabwean nationals living in SA, Department of Home Affairs (DHA) Minister Dr Leon Schreiber has extended the Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) until 28 May 2027. The announcement affects approximately 180,000 ZEP holders living in SA. The ZEP programme, first introduced in 2017, was designed to regularise the status of Zimbabwean nationals residing in SA under the previous Zimbabwean Dispensation Permit. However, in December 2021, the DHA announced the discontinuation of ZEP and gave holders until 31 December 2022 to transition to other visa categories. That decision faced legal challenges, and in 2023 the Johannesburg High Court ruled that the termination of ZEP had been unlawful. It directed the government to reconsider the matter through a fair and lawful process. The latest extension grants ZEP holders protection from deportation, entry and exit flexibility and a simplified application process. The government has also indicated that consultations with affected ZEP holders and stakeholders will continue to determine the long-term future of the program. The extension provides ZEP holders with crucial time to regularize their immigration status, apply for mainstream visas, or make arrangements to leave SA. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jonisayi Maromo at IOL News. Read too, Zimbabwean Exemption Permits extended until May 2027, at News24 (subscription / trial registration required)
Relief for thousands of education assistants as minister resolves months-long payment crisis IOL News reports that Department of Basic Education (DBE) Minister Siviwe Gwarube has intervened to resolve the crisis that teacher assistants had not been paid for months. On Wednesday, Gwarube, alongside Department of Employment and Labour Deputy Minister Jomo Sibiya, jointly addressed the media over non-payment of stipends of education assistants. She indicated that this was due to the failure of officials who were responsible for verifying the attendance registers of thousands of teacher assistants at schools. "Today, I can confirm that as of 10 am this morning, payments have started flowing from the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) to our education assistants. This brings a massive relief to thousands of young people who have been waiting for what is due to them. This delay should have never happened, and we will work tirelessly to ensure that it is avoided in the future," Gwarube stated. This failure led to more than 150,000 assistants at schools around the country not receiving their salaries for months. The assistants, mostly young people, were recently recruited by the DBE under its employment initiative. Gwarube went on to explain: After internal investigation, I have been informed that the captured attendance registers were not uploaded in full by the relevant deadline. This has led to the funder, namely the UIF [Unemployment Insurance Fund], being unable to approve the release of the stipend funds. When the system failed, contingency plans were not activated by responsible departmental officials." Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Siyabonga Sithole at IOL News. Lees ook, Skoolassistente weer betaal ná Gwarube ingryp, by Maroela Media Gwarube demands consequences for late payments to thousands of teaching assistants SowetanLive reports that Department of Basic Education (DBE) Minister Siviwe Gwarube has directed her department to identify the employees who were responsible for the blunder that resulted in more than 150,000 assistants at schools around the country not receiving their salaries for months. The assistants work under the Basic Education Employment Initiative and their job is to help teachers manage school curricula. “I have instructed both the director-general and the acting director-general to immediately institute the appropriate consequence management and hold people accountable who have failed to discharge their responsibilities in the management and the implementation of the [initiative]. This is not about scapegoating ... we dare not fail again,” Gwarube indicated. Schools and provincial education departments were required to upload attendance registers coupled with biometric confirmations as proof that the assistants concerned were indeed present and carrying out their duties. The captured attendance registers were not uploaded in full by the relevant deadline. The delayed payments also caused a public spat between Gwarube and Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi, which played itself out on social media as they argued over whose responsibility it was to pay the teacher assistants. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Koena Mashale at SowetanLive. Read too, Government tightens UIF controls following teacher assistants' payment delays, at EWN
GEPF suspends two-pot payouts for two weeks News24 reports that the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) has suspended all two-pot withdrawals for two weeks. The suspension commenced on 7 October and the almost 1.3 million government employees will not be able to withdraw money from their savings pot until 22 October. “The pause is necessary to allow the fund to update its systems with the recently implemented actuarial factors to calculate members’ benefits,” according to a statement on the GEPF’s website. Apart from two-pot claims, all other GEPF payments and services will continue as normal. The two-pot system was implemented on 1 September 2024 and allows members of pension funds and retirement annuities to withdraw up to a third of their contributions, which are kept in a “savings pot”. One withdrawal per tax year is allowed. Since the GEPF is a defined-benefit fund, calculating the available savings pot is determined partly by years of service. More than 90,000 government employees withdrew a total of R10.6 billion within two months when the system was implemented last year. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Hanlie Nordejee at News24 (subscription / trial registration required) Savings pots and resignation values at GEPF to shrink for some members News24 reports that with an average decline of 15% in actuarial interest values from 1 October, members of the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) could see a decline in their savings pot. The GEPF has temporarily suspended any application for a withdrawal from the savings pot from 7 to 21 October. This is to enable the fund to update its systems with the recently implemented actuarial factors used to calculate member benefits, effective from 1 October. The update of actuarial factors will impact the amount available for withdrawal, as the latest actuarial interest values are, on average, 15% lower than those last calculated in 2021. The extent to which individual members’ actuarial interest will differ between the 2021 and 2024 factors depends on their age and category – for example, whether they are uniformed service members. The GEPF is a defined-benefit fund, and, as such, actuarial interest factors are used to express a member’s earned future pension as a present-day lump sum rand amount. Interestingly, higher real expected future returns reduce the actuarial interest. According to the GEPF, updating factors is essential for fairness. If the fund continued to use older, higher factors after the outlook improved, members who resigned or withdrew would be overpaid relative to their fair share. In a pooled defined-benefit arrangement, that overpayment would be subsidised by those who remained to retirement. The reverse is true for a decrease in the net discount rate. In the coming weeks, the GEPF will advise on when members will be able to view updated benefit statements reflecting benefit entitlements using the 2024 factors. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Maya Fisher-French at News24 (subscription / trial registration required) Other internet posting(s) in this news category
More senior RTMC managers suspended following whistleblower allegations Moneyweb reports that the number of senior managers at the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) who have been suspended because of allegations made by whistleblowers has increased to four. The RTMC has appointed KPMG to conduct a forensic investigation into the whistleblower allegations. In a letter dated simply “September 2025”, apparently sent to RTMC employees by interim RTMC CEO Refilwe Mongale, it is advised that “after careful consideration, and to ensure a fair process, three senior managers have been placed on precautionary suspension with immediate effect from Monday, 22 September 2025, until further notice.” RTMC spokesperson Simon Zwane confirmed that Nompumelelo Ramutle, executive manager of corporate services, Lehasa Mazibuko, general manager of supply chain management, and Liana Moolman, chief financial officer, had been suspended. Three acting appointments have been made with immediate effect. The first precautionary suspension by the RTMC was of CEO Advocate Makhosini Msibi, effective from 1 July. Msibi has launched a high court application to review and set aside his suspension. The parties are waiting for the court to allocate a date for the hearing of this application. The serious allegations made by a whistleblower in several emails sent to various entities relate to financial misconduct, irregular procurement, abuse of authority, and governance failures under the leadership of Msibi. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Roy Cokayne at Moneyweb
Assault and sexual misconduct top list of complaints made against teachers TimesLIVE reports that the SA Council for Educators (Sace) received 606 complaints of unprofessional conduct by teachers over the past year, with assault and sexual misconduct making up most of the cases. According to Sace’s 2024/2025 annual report, 283 of the cases were assaults – 257 involving pupils and 26 involving colleagues. Another 127 cases involved sexual misconduct, while the remaining 196 cases were for misconduct such as abuse, non-compliance, and unethical behaviour. Corporal punishment is still a problem. In the first quarter, the Sace said assault, particularly on pupils, remains the most reported issue, suggesting that corporal punishment is still taking place in schools, despite it being outlawed. Male teachers made up most of those alleged to have breached the code of professional ethics. Sace completed 478 investigations into educator misconduct, consisting of 98 new cases and 380 older cases. These investigations were conducted through phone calls, written correspondence or physical investigations. A total of 36 educators were removed from the roll. Despite the 606 new cases received, Sace finalised 612 cases during the year through investigations and disciplinary hearings. These included current and outstanding cases from previous years. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at TimesLIVE. Read too, 36 teachers struck from SACE register for serious offences, including raping pupils, at News24 (subscription / trial registration required) Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Three former Gauteng education officials sentenced for ghost employee scam IOL News reports that three former employees of the Gauteng West Department of Education have been convicted and sentenced for theft and fraud after creating ghost employees and siphoning funds from the department’s payroll system. On 2 October 2025, the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court sentenced Thaniso Ralethe 37, Kenneth Maredi Mothiang, 43, and Banyana Caroline Mokela, 50, following their convictions earlier this year. A Hawks spokesperson revealed that the trio “whilst employed by the department between the year 2014 and 2015 fraudulently created ghost employees on the department's payroll system and assigned those ghost employees to the Bekkersdal Primary School.” Their fraudulent activity came to light when the school submitted a request to the department to fill vacant posts, a process that prompted an internal review. Ralethe was sentenced to three years imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years, on condition that he was not convicted of fraud, theft, or attempted theft during the suspension period. Maredi Mothiang received ten years imprisonment, with four years suspended on similar conditions, resulting in an effective six years in jail. Mokela was sentenced to an effective eight years imprisonment. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Wendy Dondolo at IOL News
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