In our roundup of weekend and recent reports,
see the following summaries of our selection of
South African labour-related articles.
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SACE commissions investigation into mental health of teachers amid complaints of heavy workload, fatigue and burnout News24 reports that the SA Council for Educators (SACE) has commissioned an investigation to assess the mental health of teachers amid complaints of heavy teaching workloads, emotional fatigue, and burnout. The investigation will be in conjunction with Unesco’s International Institute for Capacity Building in Africa. SACE explained that studies have shown that high stress levels were a primary cause of teacher burnout. A study by Stellenbosch University, released in April, found that 50% of teachers indicated a desire to leave the profession within the next 10 years due to excessive workloads and administrative burdens. The Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, is also concerned about the administrative workload of teachers and has tasked the newly operationalised National Education and Training Council to immediately consider and make recommendations on how the administrative workload of teachers might be reduced. Hailing the SACE initiative as “a timely and crucial intervention”, Dr Mashudu Ramulumo of the SA Principals Association said the sector had for far too long overlooked the psychological and emotional toll suffered by teachers. Nomusa Cembi of the SA Democratic Teachers Union said they hoped the survey results would lead to intervention programmes by the education departments to assist teachers. According to Basil Manuel of the National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of SA, said some of the root causes of teacher stress were overcrowded classrooms and the dangers of teaching in areas wracked by gang violence, which pushed stress into overdrive, leading to burnout. Paul Sauer of the Suid-Afrikaanse Onderwyersunie advised that they had established a helpline to provide support to teachers in distress. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Prega Govender at News24 (subscription / trial registration required)
Employers warned by labour department against locking workers inside factories Sunday Tribune reports that employers have been warned against locking employees inside business premises. The warning was issued by the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) following last week’s joint inter-departmental inspection blitz at clothing and textile factories on the KwaZulu-Natal north coast. Advocate Michael Msiza, the department's acting chief director of statutory and advocacy services, said the DEL would not tolerate the exposure of workers to deadly situations. “It is illegal to lock people behind high walls and locked gates, as this may pose serious health and safety issues. Workers have a right to freedom of movement both inside and outside the premises,” he said. At Mandeni Municipality’s Isithebe Industrial Estate force had to be used to open some of the inspected factories. One of the factories that was found to be locked during an inspection on Thursday was Rongshou Clothing, where the manager had allegedly locked workers inside. “One can assume that this conduct highlights a serious level of concealment and illegality happening inside. Sealing a factory on its own is tantamount to non-compliance,” said Msiza. During the inspection at Rongshou Clothing, eight illegal immigrants from Mozambique and Malawi were arrested. The factory had an ablution facility not suited for human use, posing health, safety, and dignity risks. It was found that workers were paid R5 per hour, way below the current statutory R28,79 per ordinary hour worked. There was also non-compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and non-compliance with firefighting regulations. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Sunday Tribune. Read too, Locked in and underpaid: Labour blitz uncovers factory abuses in Mandeni, at The Citizen Business rescue or insolvency practice becoming one of the most dangerous SA professions BusinessTech writes that being a business rescue or insolvency practitioner in SA have become one of SA’s most dangerous professions according to Gareth Cremen of Cox Yeats Attorneys. What was once viewed as a highly technical and administrative role has now become a career fraught with threats, intimidation, and even violence. Cremen said that while the work of these professionals was to help resuscitate struggling companies, they often faced immense personal risk in the process. “People see us as professionals who step into failing entities, but what is not widely appreciated is the level of risk involved — not economic risk, but personal risk. In South Africa, we’ve seen an increasing amount of threats, intimidation, and even assassinations targeting business rescue practitioners and insolvency lawyers,” Cremen noted. Over the past few years, several high-profile cases have made headlines, including the killings of lawyers and practitioners involved in sensitive corporate collapses. Between 2022 and 2023, at least 13 assassinations targeting lawyers and insolvency professionals were reported. “We even saw the case of Bouwer van Niekerk, a well-known lawyer, who was shot in his own boardroom by men posing as clients. This shows just how dangerous the work has become,” he lamented. The risk stems from the nature of the information that business rescue practitioners and liquidators handle. Due to this exposure, many practitioners are being compelled to take extreme security precautions. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Malcolm Libera at BusinessTech Thirteen arrested after Heilbron Free State farm worker killed and wife stabbed and raped SABC News reports that a farm worker has been shot and killed while his wife is recovering in hospital after being raped and stabbed during a farm attack in the early hours of Saturday morning in Heilbron, Free State. Police spokesperson Loraine Earle advised that 13 suspects, including two women, have been arrested in connection with the incident. The suspects will appear in court soon to face murder, attempted murder, rape, robbery and stock theft charges. “So far, 13 suspects have been arrested after the brutal farm attack in the Heilbron district early Saturday morning. A foreign worker was shot and killed and his wife was assaulted and stabbed. She is receiving medical treatment in hospital. Police, with the help of the farming community and private security, quickly traced and arrested 11 men and two women. 22 stolen sheep, a firearm and a minibus was also recovered,” Earle reported. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at SABC News. See too, Thirteen arrested after deadly Free State farm attack, at News24 (subscription / trial registration required) Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Numsa to take carmakers’ final wage offer back to members to decide on possible strike action BusinessDay reports that the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) says its members will have to decide whether or not to embark on a strike at the country’s seven car manufacturing companies after the employers’ revised multi-year offer was rejected. The Automobile Manufacturers Employers Organisation (Ameo), representing the seven car manufacturers, on Thursday tabled what it called a full and final settlement proposal for increases of 7% in the first year (it previously offered 6.5%) and 5.5% for each of the next two years (previously 5%). This spurred Numsa, which had been demanding increases of 9% and 8% in the outer years, to call on the employers to consider an 8% offer in the first year and 6% in the second and third years or 7% for each of the three years. But, Numsa general secretary Irvin Jim said the employer delegation in the negotiations “continued to be hardline and remained very rigid and arrogant” in maintaining their offer. As a result, parties reached a deadlock. Jim said the offer would be taken back to the union’s members “to decide on the next course of action, given that parties have failed to resolve the current impasse.” Jim went on to indicate that “it will be workers who decide whether we must give employers a 48-hour notice for a strike action and when such a notice should be served”. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinessDay (subscriber access only). Read too, Numsa rejects automotive industry wage offer, strike could follow, at IOL News
Walmart to bring 80 new jobs to Roodepoort with its first SA store at Clearwater Mall BusinessDay reports that the world’s largest retailer Walmart will create more than 80 jobs when it debuts in SA before year-end. The company said on Thursday that it would open its first store at Clearwater Mall in Roodepoort. The Hyprop-owned mall confirmed that the retailer would occupy space on its upper level. Clearwater Mall GM Kelly Belman said: “The creation of more than 80 new jobs adds real economic value to our region, which makes this announcement even more meaningful.” This will be Walmart’s first standalone venture in the country after 15 years behind its investment in Massmart, which owns Game, Makro and Builders. The US retail giant bought out Massmart minorities in 2023, signalling a renewed push into the local market. The company aims to combine its global expertise with local products, bringing a mix of international and SA-made merchandise to its stores. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nompilo Zulu at BusinessDay (subscriber access only)
Over 5,000 new police trainees to be selected in SAPS recruitment drive EWN reports that the SA Police Service (SAPS) is in the process of selecting more than five thousand new police trainees from across the country. Authorities have stated that preference will be given to applicants with tertiary qualifications and valid driver’s licences. Police spokesperson Amanda Van Wyk said assessments are currently underway in all nine provinces. She highlighted the high volume of applications received: “SAPS received over a million applications of which 334,765 are graduates who hold qualifications in policing, law, forensic investigation, and other fields of study,” she advised. Training for the successful candidates is expected to begin in 2026, although the exact date has not yet been announced. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Cailynn Pretorius at EWN
EPWP workers forced do ‘hard labour‘ at Bojanala MMC’s home and to become ANC members Sunday Times reports that unemployed residents selected to be part of government’s expanded public works programme (EPWP) for a monthly stipend of R1,800 were allegedly made to work at a North West city official’s home in Lebotlwane, clearing her garden of rubble, cleaning her house and washing windows. In what has been described as a “brazen abuse of power”, one worker said they were also forced to take out ANC membership before they were admitted onto the programme. One worker also claims she was also forced to pay R200 of her stipend to the official “for fuel”. Winnie Sono, a member of the mayoral committee responsible for treasury and budget at the Bojanala district municipality, is accused of ordering about 40 community members to pay R40 each to take up ANC membership shortly after their stipends were paid. None of those made to join the ANC have received their membership cards and they have raised the matter with local ANC branch secretary Molly Chauke. “I’ve never seen the forms they say they were made to fill in ... the EPWP is unfortunately being abused,” Chauke stated. ANC North West spokesperson Tumelo Maruping said the party’s provincial secretary’s office was looking into the matter. Sono allegedly made the EPWP workers clear rubble in wheelbarrows and wash windows on numerous occasions, including for two full weeks in January, at her home. A 35-year old who paid the R200 which she said Sono claimed was for her diesel costs said: “I felt abused as I had to work at the MMC’s home doing hard labour, and opted to pull out of the programme even though I needed the money.” Sono replied to the accusations as follows: “I reserve my comment. The speaker of council will respond,” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Isaac Mahlangu at Sunday Times (subscriber access only)
Department of Basic Education dismisses claims of teacher verification or recruitment fees EWN reports that in a statement released on Saturday, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) dismissed as false claims circulating on social media that teachers were required to pay R350 for verification. The department stressed that no payments were required for verification or recruitment processes and warned that any request for payment in exchange for placement was fraudulent. Spokesperson Terence Khala indicated: “The department wishes to make it unequivocally clear that no payment, fee, or deposit of any kind is ever required from teachers, public servants, or learners as part of the department’s verification or recruitment processes. The verification process forms part of standard administrative procedures that ensure the integrity and safety of the education system, and it includes the vetting of teachers, public servants, and learners where applicable.” He advised that all legitimate recruitment, verification, and appointment procedures were handled directly by the provincial education departments. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Ntokozo Khumalo at EWN Gauteng education department does U-turn over cuts to teacher posts Maroela Media reports that the Gauteng Department of Education (DOE) announced in a media release last Thursday that no teacher positions in public schools in the province would be cut in the next two years. The U-turn comes after a large number of schools were informed about two weeks ago that they could lose as many as eight jobs next year. This reduction of posts was apparently only applicable to quintile-5 schools – most of which are Afrikaans – and led to great upset in the education sector. The DOE said that the retention of all existing teacher positions was part of a commitment to protect stability in the education system. “In view of this, no school will lose any teaching posts and no subjects, teachers or phases will be affected. The department continues to prioritise classroom stability and equal access to quality education in all quintiles in the province,” Matome Chiloane, Gauteng MEC for education, advised. Trade union Solidarity responded that it had taken note of the statement, but added that it was not aware of any schools that have so far received letters from the department to confirm the changed situation. Melanie Buys from the Solidarity School Support Centre indicated that they were grateful that the department had decided not to cut any jobs in 2026, but said they would continue to talk to schools to make sure official communications from the department were being received. However, the department also confirmed that it was continuing with the reduction of almost 66% in subsidies for quintile-5 schools. Read the full original of the Afrikaans report in the above regard by Heléne Mocke at Maroela Media. Read too, Gauteng promises shut illegal schools, fix toilets and retain teacher posts, at TimesLIVE Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Saftu demands criminal action against Mafoko Security for failing to pay over provident fund contributions Sunday World reports that the SA Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) is demanding immediate criminal prosecution of Mafoko Security Patrol following court findings that the company deducted provident fund contributions from workers’ wages but failed to pay them over. Saftu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi expressed the federation’s outrage: “This is not a mistake. It is a deliberate act of theft and contempt for the law, a corporate crime committed against some of the most vulnerable and exploited workers in our country.” Describing the situation as a national scandal, Vavi said thousands of Mafoko security guards have been affected over the years. He was ecstatic that the authorities had found the firm guilty. Vavi noted that the Pension Funds Adjudicator (PFA) had found Mafoko in clear violation of Section 13A of the Pension Funds Act (PFA), which makes non-payment of contributions a criminal offence. Moreover, the High Court in Ga-Rankuwa dismissed Mafoko’s attempts to block enforcement, confirming that PFA determinations were civil judgments enforceable by law. Vavi revealed the staggering scale of the alleged theft, noting that “Mafoko owes workers an estimated R111-million to R330-million in stolen contributions, a staggering amount that exposes the deep rot in the private security sector”. He expressed disgust at the perceived inaction from authorities. Vavi said Saftu and its affiliates would organise meetings, pickets, and marches to demand justice for all affected workers. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mzwandile kaBizokwakhe at Sunday World Other internet posting(s) in this news category
GPAA investigates two staffers following the surfacing of racist WhatsApp exchanges Sunday World reports that the Government Pension Administration Agency (GPAA) is investigating two white senior officials for allegedly calling their colleagues and the entity’s acting CEO the k-word in racially charged WhatsApp exchanges. The two officials are chief information officer Meiring Coetzee and Esti de Witt, a general manager in legal services. Acting GPAA CEO Job Stadi Mngomezulu has asked Coetzee and Witt to provide reasons why they should not be suspended for their conversation laden with racial slurs. Coetzee and Witt’s racial epithets were made amid a high-stakes investigation into the agency’s procurement processes. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana ordered the probe at the GPAA, which administers pensions for over 1.8 million public servants, over the award of a tender to a black-owned company, LCS Biometric System, to install a system to curb corruption, estimated to cost about R12-billion in monthly payments to phantom employees. However, despite being a victim of Coetzee and Witt’s alleged racial attack, Mngomezulu faces internal accusations of applying a double standard in his disciplinary actions. According to agency insiders, he suspended two black officials without ever asking them for reasons why they should not be suspended, a courtesy he is accused of only affording to Coetzee and Witt. GPAA spokesperson Mack Lewele confirmed the investigation defended the decision not to suspend the two, which he said was “in line with the regulations, on a case-by-case basis”. The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union has also entered the fray, demanding an independent forensic investigation. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Bongani Mdakane at Sunday World
High Court declares Sibusiso Madonsela's suspension by uMngeni-uThukela Water unlawful IOL News reports that the Pietermaritzburg High Court has ruled that the precautionary suspension of uMngeni-uThukela Water’s chief governance and compliance officer, Sibusiso Madonsela, was unlawful. His suspension on 9 October 2025 stemmed from his refusal to approve a sponsorship request for a New York Marathon in October 2024. The request had been made by a staff member, who had sought the sponsorship under the terms of the Sponsorship and Donation policy. Madonsela, who was accused of leaking the sponsorship information to the media, claimed in his court affidavit that the final decision regarding the sponsorship in fact rested with CEO Sandile Mkhize, who in the event subsequently approved it. Mkhize, in turn, accused Madonsela of exceeding his authority by making “comments (which) were supposed to be your recommendations to the CEO to consider when making sponsorship decisions”. Following his suspension, Madonsela urgently approached the High Court. He asserted that the true motive behind his suspension was a R7 billion project for the Lower Umkhomazi Dam construction. Mkhize in turn argued that the High Court lacked jurisdiction, claiming the matter was between Madonsela and his employer, and urged the court to dismiss the case. The High Court ruled in favour of Madonsela, ordering his immediate return to the position of chief governance and compliance officer. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nomonde Zondi at IOL News Sanral suspends two more executives as leadership turmoil deepens News24 reports that the SA National Roads Agency (Sanral) confirmed last Wednesday, in response to questions, that it had suspended its chief procurement officer (CPO) and chief audit executive. CPO Khomotso Mhelembe had been with Sanral for less than a year before being asked to take a leave of absence. Zolisa Zwakala, the chief audit executive, joined Sanral in the past two years. The suspensions leave Sanral with major gaps in senior leadership. It has been without a chief financial officer for two years, after the previous incumbent, Inge Mulder, left in August last year. Before her resignation, Mulder had spent a year on suspension without a conclusive disciplinary hearing after the board claimed she had flouted procurement policy. Sanral spokesperson Vusi Mona said the process of appointing a new CFO was advanced, and an appointment would be made soon. However, Sanral has had a turbulent relationship with its top executives in the finance and procurement portfolios. At the same time that Mulder was suspended in 2023, the board also suspended Inba Thumbiran, the head of supply chain management. Thumbiran also resigned from Sanral after waiting a year for her disciplinary process to be finalised. The two officials were experienced career civil servants with impeccable credentials. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Carol Paton at News24 (subscription / trial registration required)
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