In our Tuesday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South
African labour-related reports.
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Tshwane ordered to pay 3.5% wage increase overdue since July 2021 BusinessDay reports that the City of Tshwane’s application to be exempt from implementing a wage deal reached with labour in 2021/22 has been dismissed again by the SA Local Government Bargaining Council. It ruled on Friday that the metro had to comply with the wage agreement and effect the necessary adjustments and payments, “including all back pay, within six months of the award [or ruling]”. The ruling marks the second time the city failed in its attempt to be exempt from implementing the 3.5% wage deal. It comes five months after the Labour Court’s ruling on Tshwane’s wage exemption applications regarding the 3.5% wage increase for 2021 and a 5.4% pay hike for 2023. For the 2021 wage agreement, the Court had ruled the metro’s exemption application needed to be heard again before another exemption panellist appointed by the bargaining council. Regarding the 2023 wage deal, the Court said Tshwane had to be granted exemption from implementing the pay deal. The SA Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) is appealing against that specific part of the ruling at the Labour Appeal Court. On Monday, Samwu’s Dumisane Magagula said: “The SA Local Government Bargaining Council has now, unequivocally and for the second time, upheld the rights of workers, directing the city to pay workers the overdue 3.5% salary increases that were supposed to be effected in July 2021.” Magagula called on the city management to implement the ruling “without further delay”. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinessDay (subscriber access only). Read too, SALGBC dismisses Tshwane’s wage exemption request, at TimesLIVE. En ook, Tshwane moet R2 miljard opdok aan betwiste salarisverhogings, by Maroela Media Bargaining council ruling on backdated salary increase ‘ruinous’ for City of Tshwane Moneyweb reports that the City of Tshwane has been dealt a huge financial blow after the SA Local Government Bargaining Council dismissed its application to be exempt from paying staff a 3.5% salary increase in 2021/22. The City was ordered to pay the salary increase, which would have cost the council R489 million in that year, retrospectively within six months. This is expected to now amount to at least R2 billion. In addition, the increase will be reflected in an increase in payroll in coming years. The municipality may, however, attempt to appeal the latest ruling, which would temporarily suspend its implementation. The dispute over the salary increase has a long history (as detailed in the news article). In April 2022, the bargaining council ruled on a technical point in favour of the workers regarding the 2021/22 increase, but the municipality appealed to the Labour Court, which set aside the ruling and referred the matter back for reconsideration by the bargaining council. This is the ruling that has now been delivered. The SA Municipal Workers’ Union commented that, while for years the City played endless legal games, workers in Tshwane and their families have been subjected to severe and unjust economic hardship. Lynette Burns-Coetzee of the Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union said the non-payment of increases since 2021 had placed “tremendous of physical, mental and emotional stress on our members”. DA Tshwane spokesperson on finance Jacqui Uys called the ruling legally flawed and financially ruinous. Uys believes there are strong grounds to take the matter on review in the Labour Court. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Antoinette Slabbert at Moneyweb. Lees ook, Salarisbesluit ’n finansiële ramp vir Tshwane, sê DA, by Maroela Media
Female security guard raped and shot dead, another seriously injured in Mthatha clinic attack News24 reports that a security guard was shot dead while another was seriously injured after they were abducted and attacked while on duty at the Xhwili Clinic in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, on Sunday night. The two female guards were apparently abducted from the duty room by gunmen who stormed the clinic and then shot behind the clinic in an open field. They were discovered on Monday morning. One guard was declared dead at the scene, while the other was taken to the hospital in a critical condition. The deceased’s body was found naked with two bullet wounds to the head. According to police, the deceased was also raped during the attack. Eastern Cape Health MEC Ntandokazi Capa condemned the incident, describing it as deeply shocking. The motive behind the attack is still unclear. The department said psychosocial support teams would be dispatched to the clinic to provide counselling to affected staff and community members. A case of murder, attempted murder and rape has been opened at the Bityi police station. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sithandiwe Velaphi at News24 (subscription / trial registration required) Two workers critically burnt in Pietermaritzburg substation blast News24 reports that two electrical contractors were left with severe burn injuries after a powerful explosion ripped through an electrical substation on Old Howick Road in Pietermaritzburg on Monday. Paramedics responded to the scene just after midday. Craig Botha, KZN Private Ambulance Service spokesperson, said they found two contractors who had been working on the site suffering from serious burns. The first patient, found in a critical condition, had sustained severe burns across his back and arms and required immediate advanced life support intervention. Paramedics worked to stabilise the critically injured patient on the scene before transporting him to hospital for specialised burn treatment. The second worker sustained serious burns to both arms and also received emergency medical care before being transported for further treatment. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the explosion, which occurred during maintenance work. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sakhiseni Nxumalo at News24 (subscription / trial registration required). See too, Workers injured in substation explosion on Old Howick Road, at The Witness Other internet posting(s) in this news category
FlySafair cabin crew to be locked out from Monday night amid wage dispute News24 reports that FlySafair locked out some of its cabin crew members on Monday evening following a deadlock in wage negotiations. The airline has prevented members of the SA Cabin Crew Association (SACCA) from working and has applied to the CCMA to mediate the negotiations. SACCA represents 65% of the 800 FlySafair cabin crew members. But, FlySafair said two-thirds of all cabin crew were still expected to come to work, including SACCA members who have signed to accept a new wage offer. Only a third of the employees have not signed the deal, according to the airline. Earlier on Monday, SACCA’s Christopher Shabangu said they were still finalising feedback on the latest wage offer submitted by FlySafair on Monday. However, early indications suggested that the offer would not be accepted. Shabangu said that a certificate of non-resolution of the dispute had not yet been issued by the CCMA and no strike notice had officially been served to the airline. He added that union was not intending to go on strike and wanted to finalise other important line items with the airline. According to the airline, the union had rejected a “generous and responsible offer of a 5.7% wage increase, a 7.5% annual bonus, monthly allowances and pay progression.” FlySafair said flight disruptions were not expected due to the cabin crew lockout. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Na'ilah Ebrahim at News24 (subscription / trial registration required)
EPWP and CWP workers march for permanent jobs and better pay GroundUp reports that hundreds of workers affiliated with the Maanda-Ashu Workers Union of SA (Mawusa) marched to the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPW&I) in Pretoria on Monday, demanding permanent employment and better pay. The workers are temporarily employed through the government’s Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) and the Community Work Programme (CWP), doing work such as road maintenance and street sweeping. Members of political movement Afrika Mayibuye also participated in the march. The march proceeded peacefully. CWP worker Ewart Sithebe from Alexandra, north of Johannesburg, complained that he was a supervisor but earned just over R1,900 a month. A memorandum containing six demands was handed to the department by Mawusa president Robert Mwendo. The demands included the following: full-time employment for all CWP and EPWP workers; payment of gratuities for CWP workers whose contracts were terminated after more than ten to 15 years of service without benefits; payment of all outstanding wages due to system errors; immediate delivery of personal protective equipment and tools of trade, not supplied for three to four years; and equal minimum wages with other sectors. The memo was accepted by the DPW&I’s Adam Mthonbeni, who told workers the department would give them feedback in due course. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Warren Mabona at GroundUp. Read too, Workers demand better wages and conditions in Pretoria march, at IOL News Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Public Works investigates claims of abuse of EPWP programme in North West The Citizen reports that the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPW&I) on Sunday announced it would launch an investigation after being informed of abuse complaints within the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) in North West. The EPWP provides part-time manual labour jobs to help alleviate unemployment and augment the work of municipal infrastructure maintenance teams. DPW&I confirmed it had received reports that EPWP beneficiaries had been used as domestic labourers for officials in the Bojanala municipality, which includes Madikwe, Rustenburg, Sun City and the Pilanesberg National Park. Additional complaints included that EPWP beneficiaries were being forced to become paying political party members. “If these claims are true, they represent a serious abuse of power and a betrayal of public trust,” Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson indicated. He added that evidence of wrongdoing would be acted on swiftly and could result in the opening of a criminal case. Macpherson has visited several provinces as part of a listening tour with EPWP beneficiaries. “We are determined to make the EPWP programme transparent, accountable, and focused squarely on improving people’s lives,” said the minister. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jarryd Westerdale at The Citizen
Big cuts to petrol and diesel prices cuts from Wednesday The Citizen reports that motorists will pay less for petrol and diesel at the pumps from Wednesday with the cuts no doubt to be welcomed by cash-strapped motorists ahead of the festive season. The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) announced that both the price of 93-octane and 95-octane petrol would decrease by 51 cents per litre. The price of diesel (0.05% sulphur) will decrease by 21 cents per litre, while diesel with 0.005% sulphur will go down by 19 cents per litre. Illuminating paraffin will cost 1 cent less per litre, while the price of LP gas will decrease by 61 cents/kg. When the fuel price adjustments kicks in, a litre of 93 unleaded petrol will cost R20.97 per litre, while 95 unleaded will be R21.12 a litre. The wholesale price of 0.05% (500 PPM) diesel will decrease to R19.13 per litre and 0.005% (50 PPM) will cost R9.20 a litre. Several factors, including international petroleum product prices and the rand-US dollar exchange rate, contributed to the decrease in petrol and diesel prices. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Faizel Patel at The Citizen. See too, Here is the official petrol price for November, at BusinessTech. En ook, Petrol, diesel dié week goedkoper, by Maroela Media Other internet posting(s) in this news category
NUM urges government’s action on layoffs of 622 workers at Assmang’s Beeshoek mine BusinessDay reports that a total of 622 mineworkers are facing a bleak festive season and Christmas following the announcement of a retrenchment process by mining company Assmang, which is set to put its Beeshoek iron ore operation in the Northern Cape under care and maintenance at the end of November. This has spurred the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) to ask the government to intervene. NUM spokesperson Livhuwani Mammburu said the union specifically wanted the government to take immediate steps to ensure the renewal of the supply contract Beeshoek had with troubled steelmaker ArcelorMittal SA (Amsa) “or implement alternative solutions that secure continued employment for affected workers”. He pointed out that the retrenchments would have a devastating impact on the union’s members, their families, and the greater Postmansburg community. Mammburu went on to say: “As the NEC (national executive committee), we are deeply concerned about Assmang’s approach throughout this process. We note their insistence on applying a uniform retrenchment model across different operations without recognising the unique socio-economic and operational circumstances of each site.” He said the union would stand with the affected workers and demanded that Assmang and all relevant regulatory authorities fully comply with legal, ethical, and social obligations. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinessDay (subscriber access only) Other labour / community posting(s) relating to mining
Former M&G editor Luke Feltham named new editor-in-chief of Business Day BusinessDay reports that Luke Feltham has been appointed editor-in-chief of Business Day with effect from 1 November. A former editor of the Mail & Guardian, Feltham is widely experienced in both print journalism and digital publishing. Nwabisa Makunga, MD of news and media at Arena Holdings, owners of Business Day, said the appointment came at a pivotal moment “as we accelerate our growth as a modern, audience-driven newsroom”. Feltham, who began his new role this week, said he was excited about growing the publication’s place in SA’s financial markets and media fraternities. Throughout his career, Feltham’s work has covered a variety of disciplines, including sport, politics, economics and historical investigations. A graduate of the University of the Witwatersrand, he holds a BA in political science and government, a BA Hons in philosophy and a master’s degree in political studies. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mudiwa Gavaza at BusinessDay Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Mpumalanga education department’s ‘ghost payroll’ continues to spiral The Citizen reports that the Mpumalanga Department of Education (DOE) is under fire over the revelation that a staggering R19 million in salaries was overpaid to deceased and terminated employees last year. This was more than triple the R6 million flagged by the Auditor-General (AG) the previous year. The DOE confirmed that it was investigating 1,270 cases linked to erroneous payments. DOE spokesperson Gerald Sambo said they were finalising the investigations and that recovery processes were already underway. “Most overpayments result from administrative delays, such as late reporting of deaths or resignations. When these are identified, the department immediately initiates recovery from beneficiaries,” he advised. According to Sambo, in the past year the department had implemented staff training to improve compliance with termination procedures and strengthened circuit-level monitoring systems for early detection of potential overpayments. According to the AG’s 2024-25 report, “the department has a poor control environment, particularly in human resource management. The preventative controls are not implemented, and officials are only reactive to the issues identified. In the current year, human resources managers approved housing allowances without supporting documents. The lack of execution of controls is due to a lack of consequence management for poor performance by officials.” However, the AG did knowledge the DOE’s progress in addressing salary overpayments through improved control measures and timely recoveries. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Masoka Dube at The Citizen Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Eastern Cape department of education spokesperson lifts her own suspension Sunday World reports that the Eastern Cape Department of Education director for communication and events, Vuyiseka Mboxela, has issued a statement announcing her return to her post. This after she was suspended by the department for two months. In the statement on Monday, Mboxela described her suspension as unprocedural and unjustified. She said she would be resuming her duties on Tuesday and would be available to engage with the media. When contacted for comment, Mboxela indicated that she had authorised the media statement as the director of communication. Mboxela’s suspension was communicated to her on 25 August. “It was indicated to me that a resolution had been taken that I must be suspended, but I was never given a chance to air my side of the story. To this day, after 60 days, no formal grievance or evidence bundle has been presented to me, only a suspension letter and charges,” Mboxela claimed. Recently she received an email from a law firm appointed by the department extending her precautionary suspension until 26 November. “I have rejected that outright because it is unlawful, and I cannot allow myself to be part of a group of senior managers sitting at home on full pay while taxpayers’ money is wasted,” Mboxela stated. She was placed on precautionary suspension pending an independent investigation into allegations of workplace bullying, harassment, intimidation, and creating a toxic environment. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Coceka Magubeni at Sunday World Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Possible disciplinary action against Bafana team manager to be decided by Safa NEC ballot Sunday World reports that in a bizarre move, which may be interpreted as a plan to protect Bafana Bafana team manager Vincent Tseka, the SA Football Association (Safa) has taken the decision to finalise the Teboho Mokoena blunder on a ballot. The association’s national executive committee (NEC) members will now vote on whether action should be taken against Tseka and Bafana head of delegation David Molwantwa for the gaffe that cost Safa a substantial fine and three points that almost resulted in SA not qualifying for the 2026 Fifa World Cup. Safa NEC member and chairperson of the legal and constitutional affairs committee Poobie Govindasamy’s report into the matter recommended that the matter be finalised by round robin resolution vote on whether disciplinary action should be taken against any or all employees or that warnings be issued or that no further disciplinary action be taken. His recommendation has been met with fierce criticism and rejection by some NEC members, who say it is an “infringement on the Safa statutes because employee issues are handled by the CEO, and not by the NEC”. Some NEC members said they would not participate in what they call a charade because a resolution was taken at the last NEC meeting in Mbombela to take action against both Tseka and Molwantwa. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Kgomotso Mokoena at Sunday World
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