In our roundup of weekend and recent reports,
see the following summaries of our selection of
South African labour-related articles.
|
All Joburg Labour Court hearings to be relocated due to renovations at Braamfontein premises TimesLIVE reports that Labour and Labour Appeal Court Judge President Edwin Molahlehi has issued directives dealing with the temporary relocation of all Labour Court Johannesburg hearings to other locations from 2 January 2026. This is due to renovations at the Labour Court’s Braamfontein premises at 88 Juta Street, which are projected to be concluded by June. No physical court proceedings will take place at the Braamfontein premises until renovations are completed and all trial proceedings will be conducted in the Johannesburg High Court in Pritchard Street. All administrative functions will be relocated to the 5th floor of the 88 Juta Street building. Functions related to the office of the registrar will also be located on the 5th floor starting on 2 January. The available services will include front desk services, including filing, Labour Court Online, enrolment and general enquiries. The trial roll call will be held at 9.45am every Friday for all trial proceedings scheduled for the following week, and the roll call will be conducted virtually via Microsoft Teams. All unopposed motions, contempt proceedings and interlocutory proceedings will be heard at the Land Court located at 18 Hill Street, Ferndale, Randburg. All opposed proceedings will be heard virtually. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ernest Mabuza at SowetanLive
Khayelitsha medical staff battle armed threats while serving over 3,000 patients monthly Daily Maverick reports that over the past two months, two community service doctors in Khayelitsha have been forced off the road, and one was robbed at gunpoint, while an internal medicine registrar narrowly escaped an attempted robbery. All were women. One doctor was so traumatised she was unable to function and took two weeks off work. According to Dr Crispin Kibamba, the head of Emergency Medicine at Khayelitsha District Hospital, construction work on the nearby Spine Road has increased staff vulnerability. In one incident, attackers smashed a doctor’s windscreen and threatened her with firearms. “They demanded money, which she immediately handed over. Luckily, they did not take her or the car,” said Kibamba. In another case, a community service officer noticed a car with two men following her and drove to a police station, with the suspects close behind. When the police confronted the men, they claimed she had been “stalking” them. A third incident involved a registrar whose vehicle was boxed in by two cars. She managed to find a narrow gap and sped towards the hospital. Kibamba said the matter had been escalated to senior management, who consulted with the police about establishing a safe travel corridor for staff. “But it’s inconsistent and depends on whether a patrol van is available,” said Kibamba. In the meantime, staff attempt to mitigate the risk by travelling in groups or leaving and arriving in convoys. The impact on patient care is immediate because any time taken off by doctors increases pressure on colleagues who collectively see between 3,000 and 3,500 patients a month. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Chris Bateman at Daily Maverick Other internet posting(s) in this news category
City Power refutes claims of contractors' strike affecting Joburg electricity supply The Star reports that City Power has hit back at claims that a contractors’ strike or go-slow was crippling electricity supply across Johannesburg. It dismissed the reports as misinformation and assured residents that power restoration teams remained fully operational. The utility was responding to a voice note that has been circulating on social media, particularly in the southern parts of the city, alleging that contractors had downed tools over unpaid invoices, triggering widespread power outages. City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena said there was no strike, go-slow or service suspension affecting the utility’s ability to respond to outages. He confirmed that while the City had been engaging contractors on outstanding contractual matters, the backlog in payments had been significantly reduced in recent weeks and had never compromised service delivery. Mangena explained that City Power’s internal teams handled about 70% of all outage responses, with contractors accounting for the remaining 30%, mainly for specialised work or when internal capacity was stretched. “All our resources remain fully deployed and operational, including during the festive season,” he stated. Mangena also strongly condemned calls made by a councillor in the same voice note urging residents to hire private electricians to fix electricity faults. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Masabata Mkwananzi at The Star
Numsa amenable to talks about reconciling with Cosatu, signalling a possible shift in labour dynamics BusinessDay reports that the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) has decided to enter talks with its old federation, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), with a view to a potential return to the fold. This was revealed in documents from the union’s December central committee (CC) meeting. Numsa was kicked out of Cosatu in November 2014 over its decision to withhold electoral support from the ANC and its decision to expand its scope to organise workers outside the metals sector. Cosatu extended an invitation to Numsa to begin talks on the union’s potential return to the federation fold after such a decision was taken by its own CC meeting in September. “We are willing to discuss going back with Cosatu, but we have to address the issues that led to our expulsion … you will know that those issues include Numsa expanding its scope to include other sectors of the economy,” a senior Numsa leader indicated. Cosatu insiders say that at this point in SA’s political economic history, it is crucial that the left unite and that Numsa’s decision on its scope was not an insurmountable hurdle if it meant it would return to the federation fold. After Numsa’s departure, Cosatu has been dominated by public sector unions and has largely retreated on the labour front in the mainstream economy. Numsa forms part of the newly formed SA Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu), led by former Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi. Seemingly, Numsa’s decision to engage Cosatu on rejoining the federation does not spell a complete rejection of Saftu, but opens the way for the possibility of a “confederation of trade unions in South Africa”. Read the full original of the informative report in the above regard by Natasha Marrian at BusinessDay (subscriber access only)
Strike at DRDGold’s Ergo operations suspended, with wage talks to continue IOL Business reports that a threatened strike at DRDGold’s Ergo Mining operations on the East Rand has been suspended, but the fight over wages and profit sharing for staff is not over. The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) pulled their 48-hour strike notice just hours before the action was set to start. As a result, DRDGold’s operation to reclaim gold from old mine dumps continues. The dispute comes after months of negotiations that began in July. Of the 25 issues on the table, 23 have been resolved, leaving only wages and profit-sharing to be agreed upon. The unions are pushing for a 12% pay increase plus additional profit-related benefits, far above recent sector agreements. DRDGold has offered guaranteed annual increases of between 6% and 7.5% over the next five years, continued participation in its profit‑sharing scheme, a new performance-based incentive, and improved housing and living allowances. According to DRDGold, it “remains open to further engagement and encourages a resolution that avoids unnecessary financial harm to employees and disruption to operations”. The United Association of SA (Uasa) signed the agreement earlier this month, leaving only the NUM and Amcu at odds with the company. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nicola Mawson at IOL Business Other labour / community posting(s) relating to mining
Proposed 4.1% pay hike for public office bearers elicits sharp criticism IOL News reports that the Independent Commission for the Remuneration of Public Office Bearers has recommended a 4.1% salary increase for public office bearers for the 2025/2026 financial year. The recommendation, published in a government gazette last week week, proposed increases at the highest levels of government. If approved, the President's annual salary would rise by about R137,000 to approximately R3.4 million. The Deputy President would receive an increase of just under R130,000, taking his earnings to around R3.1 million a year. Cabinet Ministers stand to benefit from an increase of about R110,000, pushing their annual pay to roughly R2.8 million. Deputy Ministers would earn more than R2.3 million per year. But, the announcement comes at a time when ordinary citizens face relentless financial pressure. Against this backdrop, ActionSA has strongly condemned the proposed increases. ActionSA MP Alan Beesley said the proposed salary increase was unacceptable and inappropriate because office bearers were delivering very little. “Nobody knows what deputy ministers do, including themselves,” he said. While the commission’s recommendation is not final and requires approval, it has once again highlighted the growing disconnect between the country’s political leadership and the harsh economic reality facing millions of South Africans. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Kamogelo Moichela at IOL News. Read too, Proposed salary hikes for officials at the highest levels of government shows 'no respect for South Africans', at IOL News Other internet posting(s) in this news category
SAPS promotes over 9,500 officers to higher ranks, addressing years-long backlog IOL News reports that in a decisive move to address long-standing promotion backlogs, the SA Police Service (SAPS) has promoted 9,548 officers to higher ranks. The promotions, effective from 1 December 2025, target officers who have spent ten years or more in their current rank, spanning constables, sergeants, warrant officers, and other key personnel. This strategic initiative forms part of the SAPS’s Human Capital Strategy, designed to retain critical skills, nurture leadership talent, and strengthen service delivery. The breakdown of the promotions is as follows: 4,605 constables were elevated to sergeant; 3,989 sergeants to warrant officer; and 954 warrant officers got promotions to higher salary notches. Among the beneficiaries are crime intelligence operatives, detectives, uniformed officers, and support staff, reflecting a cross-section of the police workforce. In a statement, National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola said the promotions were a deliberate effort to retain and develop internal talent. He emphasised the broader impact on morale and performance. The SAPS has faced criticism in recent years over delays in promoting skilled officers to higher ranks, creating a backlog that affected morale and leadership pipelines. Meanwhile, the SAPS process to select 5,500 police trainees is still underway, with thousands of applicants still undergoing the first step, namely the psychometric and integrity testing assessments. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Kamogelo Moichela at IOL News. Read too, Thousands of police officers climb ranks in SAPS promotion drive, at The Citizen Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Sadtu sounds alarm that rising student violence is driving teachers out of the profession EWN reports that the SA Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) warns that an increasing number of educators are abandoning the profession due to the rising tide of learner indiscipline and violence in schools. The union’s concerns follow a report from the Western Cape Department of Education, which documented 96 incidents of learners assaulting teachers so far this year. Sadtu’s Nomusa Cembi emphasised that the union viewed any assault on an educator as a critical issue that threatened the stability of the schooling system. In response to the growing safety crisis, Sadtu has approached the Department of Employment & Labour to advocate for a broadening of the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA). The union wants the Act to explicitly cover teachers who fall victim to physical attacks in the classroom. Beyond the physical risks, the union highlighted the lack of adequate psychological support for victims. Cembi claimed that many assaulted teachers are currently forced to pay for their own trauma therapy, as existing government resources were often stretched thin. Read the full original of the short report in the above regard by Camray Clarke at EWN Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Sadtu rejects proposal by GEMS slightly reduce medical aid contribution increase from 9.8% to 9.5% The Mercury reports that the SA Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) has rejected a revised proposal by the Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS) to slightly reduce its 2026 medical aid contribution increase, saying the change does not address underlying financial and governance concerns. According to Sadtu, GEMS has submitted a revised proposal to the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) to reduce the previously planned 9.8% contribution increase to 9.5%. This change is subject to CMS approval by February 2026. Despite the revision, Sadtu representatives have rejected both the original 9.8% and the revised 9.5% proposals. According to the union, the revised figure does not resolve what it described as deeper problems in the scheme’s long-term planning and disclosure. Sadtu said “the projections for outer years are unacceptable” and that “GEMS has not disclosed sufficient financial information regarding income and expenditure”. The union noted that this lack of detail made it difficult to properly assess the justification for the increase, even at the reduced rate. While the revised proposal awaits regulatory consideration, Sadtu warned that members would still feel the full impact of the original increase. It noted that “in the interim, the original 9.8% increase will be implemented starting in January 2026”. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Siphesihle Buthelezi at The Mercury
Former employee wins in court after job-hunting led to his dismissal News24 reports that contractual clauses preventing employees from seeking alternative employment are unenforceable and contrary to public policy. This was the finding of the Joburg Labour Court (LC) after a safety manager’s quest for “greener pastures” ignited a fierce legal battle that exposed the limits of employer control over their workforce. When Lucchini SA employee Vishen Mahabeer began searching for new employment opportunities in early 2021 it cost him his job and sparked a landmark labour dispute. The company initiated retrenchment consultations in February 2021 and Mahabeer opened employment negotiations with competitor Cast Products. In April 2021, Mahabeer informed Lucchini of his intention to resign and join Cast Products. The company suspended him and the subsequent disciplinary hearing resulted in Mahabeer’s immediate dismissal, which he refused to accept. He took his case to the CCMA, which found dismissal grossly unfair and awarded him maximum compensation of 12 months’ salary. Lucchini’s subsequent court challenge backfired. On Friday, the LC’s Judge Tapiwa Gandidze struck down Lucchini’s contractual clause prohibiting employees from seeking alternative employment, ruling it “unenforceable as it is contrary to public policy”. She emphasised that Mahabeer had a right to freedom of trade, occupation and profession, guaranteed by section 22 of the Constitution. While reducing the compensation from 12 months to six months due to Mahabeer securing new employment within three months of his dismissal, Judge Gandidze acknowledged the emotional toll. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Anelisa Kubheka at News24 (subscription / trial registration required)
KZN magistrate suspended without pay with disciplinary hearing to proceed next year GroundUp reports that a KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) magistrate accused of lying on his application forms for acting appointments, and of failing to disclose that he had been suspended from practice by the Legal Practice Council (LPC) for misappropriation of trust funds, has been suspended without pay pending a disciplinary inquiry. KwaDukuza magistrate Ian Blose faces three charges of misconduct relating to declarations he made in the integrity section of a pre-interview questionnaire. Another charge relates to events after Blose’s permanent appointment in February 2021. The LPC in January 2022 obtained an order in the Pietermaritzburg High Court in suspending him from practising as a legal practitioner, which Blose allegedly failed to disclose. Magistrates’ Commission spokesperson and ethics committee chair advocate Naome Manaka confirmed that Blose had been provisionally suspended by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs in November 2025. The suspension is without salary because the commission considered the “seriousness of the charges and the probable sanction should he be found guilty”. Manaka advised that Blose had been given an opportunity to respond to the allegations prior to his suspension. She said the commission would appoint a presiding officer and an evidence leader and the disciplinary hearing should proceed next year. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tania Broughton at GroundUp Four national traffic cops suspended as RTMC probes Klerksdorp shooting incident Sunday World reports that the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has launched an investigation into a shooting incident involving four National Traffic Police officers in Klerksdorp, North West. The incident, which occurred on 17 December 2025, is being treated with seriousness by the RTMC, which has placed the officers on precautionary suspension pending the outcome of preliminary investigations. In a statement issued on Saturday, the RTMC said the suspensions would remain in place until clarity was obtained on whether formal disciplinary action should follow. The four officers have since been arrested and are currently in custody. They are expected to apply for bail and the RTMC said it was awaiting the outcome of the court process before taking further steps. The investigation comes amid growing public concern over the conduct of law enforcement officials and the use of firearms during policing operations. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mbalenhle Zuma at Sunday World Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Suspended state housing CEO under investigation by Public Protector over governance failures TimesLIVE reports that the Public Protector (PP) has launched an investigation into the suspended CEO of the National Housing Finance Corporation (NHFC), Azola Mayekiso, following allegations of governance failures and irregular expenditure at the state entity. The probe will focus on claims of an irregular appointment process, failure to disclose business interests and improper conduct during Mayekiso’s tenure. It also places “the former board chair” – without identifying the person – under scrutiny for alleged operational interference and undue control over the CEO. Staff complaints include allegations that Mayekiso created a hostile work environment, was disrespectful to employees and frequently raised her voice at staff. In August last year, the NHFC’s chief information officer resigned with immediate effect, citing an “intolerable and uncaring” working environment, which she said had adversely affected her health. The PP’s probe comes a month after the NHFC board placed Mayekiso on precautionary suspension with full pay and benefits pending investigations into alleged serious misconduct. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at BusinessDay
Cosatu welcomes arrest of eight suspects in theft of R825,000 at UIF’s Tzaneen office EWN reports that the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) has welcomed the arrest of eight individuals by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) in connection with the theft of R825,000 from the Unemployment Insurance Fund’s (UIF’s) regional office in Tzaneen, Limpopo. According to the federation, these arrests strengthen the ongoing efforts by the UIF and law enforcement agencies to track payments made to workers and businesses, ensuring that all public funds are fully accounted for. Cosatu’s Matthew Park highlighted that the involvement of the Hawks (DPCI) underscored the severity of the systemic issues within the institution. He indicated: “The fact that DPCI had to intervene and arrest the accused following numerous calls by Cosatu for intervention by law enforcement confirms the federation’s long-standing fears of a UIF bedevilled by archaic systems that have enabled the cancer of corruption to spread across this important institution established to provide relief to workers during their moment of need.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Puleng Make at EWN Other internet posting(s) in this news category
|
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page