Today's Labour News
This news aggregator site highlights South African labour news from a wide range of internet and print sources. Each posting has a synopsis of the source article, together with a link or reference to the original. Postings cover the range of labour related matters from industrial relations to generalist human resources.
Solar steam powers homes – and new jobs – in Northern Cape
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Reuters writes that South Africa may still get most of its energy from coal, but in the country’s sunny Northern Cape province, a different electricity source is taking hold, namely solar steam.
Guard accused of Tarlton farmworker's murder applies for bail
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eNCA reports that a security guard accused of murdering a farmworker in Tarlton appeared on Monday in the Krugersdorp Magistrate's Court.
Axed Satawu Gauteng boss might have a fake ID document and be using a false name
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City Press reports that the axed Gauteng provincial secretary of the SA Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu), Gift Ndwandwe, might have a fake identity document. And, according to Department of Home Affairs (DHA) spokesperson Thabo Mokgola, Ndwandwe’s name might not even be Ndwandwe.
Police crack down on Free State slave trade syndicate
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TimesLive reports a whistleblower's call for help to his wife in Lesotho has exposed the operations of a sophisticated international slave trade syndicate.
Chris Maroleng named as Hlaudi Motsoeneng’s replacement at SABC
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Sunday World reports that MTN group executive for corporate affairs Chris Maroleng has hung up on the telecoms giant to replace Hlaudi Motsoeneng as SA Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) Chief Operating Officer (COO).
Metrorail central line along the Cape Flats to stay closed until Wednesday
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Cape Argus reports that as thousands of workers returned to work on Monday, the central train line along the Cape Flats would remain closed until Wednesday.
Joburg Mayor fires Rabelani Dagada as MMC for Finance after forensic investigation
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ANA reports that Johannesburg Mayor Herman Mashaba said on Monday he had fired Rabelani Dagada as member of mayoral committee for finance after a forensic investigation found him in breach of the City’s code of conduct and for conflict of interest.
Fears of another ‘zama zama’ turf war after seven bodies found in veld
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The Star reports that fears of a bloody turf war erupting again among illegal miners (‘zama zamas’) have gripped Ekurhuleni following the grim discovery on Sunday morning of seven rotting bodies dumped in a field.
Axed Sascoc boss Tubby Reddy claims R6.2m spent ‘exposing’ him was wasted
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Sunday Tribune reports that according to axed SA Sports Confederation Olympic Committee (Sascoc) CE Tubby Reddy, more than R6.2m that should have been spent on sports development was wasted on legal fees for a farcical disciplinary inquiry and associated investigations.
Medics at National Health Insurance (NHI) pilot project sites not paid monthly salaries
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City Press reports that the long-term viability of the National Health Insurance (NHI) system is in doubt because its pilot project sites appear to have financial problems and have failed to pay the salaries of its medical professionals.
Guard accused of Tarlton tractor driver's shooting due in court on Monday
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News24 reports that a security guard was due to appear in the Krugersdorp Magistrate's Court on Monday in connection with the fatal shooting of Tarlton tractor driver Aron Mutavhatsindi.
Writ served on EFF’s bank to pay over R492,275 in respect of unfair axing of employee in 2015
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Sunday Independent reports that a protracted labour dispute between the EFF and a sacked employee dating back to January 2015 has now culminated in the sheriff of Johannesburg North seeking to effect an order to attach close to R500,000 from the party’s bank account.
Misconduct complaint against judge to be heard 11 years after he crashed into a wall, drunk
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BusinessLive reports that complaints of judicial misconduct are finally going to be heard against retired Judge Nkola Motata‚ who was convicted of drunk driving after crashing into a wall, 11 years ago.
Johannesburg fires official for failure to disclose ownership of companies city did business with
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News24 reports that the City of Johannesburg has fired a senior official over not declaring ownership of three companies the city did business with, and for trying to influence a tender.
Prasa to conform to special conditions as safety regulator lifts manual authorisation ban
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ANA reports that the Railway Safety Regulator (RSR) has lifted its ban preventing the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) from using manual authorisation for train operations, subject to certain conditions. This followed a meeting between the senior management of the RSR and Prasa on Friday.
Compensation Fund frustrates Hawks investigation into fraud case against North West doctor
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City Press reports that the Department of Labour’s Compensation Fund (CF) has been accused of frustrating a R12.1m fraud case against a doctor in North West by failing in the past eight years to commission a forensic investigation.
Man collapses and dies on Friday night while operating coal train
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TimesLive reports that a man‚ believed to be in his late 50s‚ collapsed and died while operating a coal train in Welgedacht in Springs on the East Rand on Friday night.
Cosatu calls on ANC to give its government a 'facelift'
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ANA reports that the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) said on Sunday that the African National Congress (ANC) needed to "give a face-lift to its government" and make sure it deployed people of high integrity who would at all times act with utmost professionalism.
Bodies of seven suspected illegal miners found near Benoni shaft
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News24 reports that the decomposing bodies of seven suspected illegal miners were found in the veld near a mineshaft in Benoni, east of Johannesburg, police said on Sunday.
Nupsaw members to strike at Dis-Chem Pharmacies nationwide over organisational rights
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ANA reports that the National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers (Nupsaw) said on Friday that it was currently preparing for a strike at Dis-Chem Pharmacies across the country over the recognition of its organisational rights.
After deadly ‘hit’, PSA calls for state to provide magistrates with extra security
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EWN reports that the Public Servants Association (PSA) has echoed the call by magistrates for the government to consider providing them with extra security following the apparent hit on a magistrate in Bronkhorstspruit.
Train drivers refuse to work on Cape Town central line, saying it’s a warzone'
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News24 reports that the United National Transport Union (UNTU) said on Friday that rain drivers would not work on Metrorail's central line through the Cape Flats until commuter and staff safety was guaranteed.
Another top official sacked by Satawu for being an ‘illegal immigrant’
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The New Age reports that in the space of some two months, the SA Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) has fired two senior officials for being “illegal immigrants”.
Dispute Gauteng nursing shortage, no funding for first-year students
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BusinessLive reports that in spite of a shortage of nurses‚ 700 nursing candidates will not be able to study for a four-year diploma at three Gauteng colleges this year — because the Gauteng Health Department cannot afford to fund their studies.
Workers at BM Food Manufacturers in Lenasia striking for higher wages
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EWN reports that over 230 workers from BM Food Manufacturers in Lanseria have downed tools over wages. The manufacturer distributes food to retailers across the country, including Pick n Pay, Checkers Hyper and Spar.
Nehawu warns strike at NSFAS will cripple the student financial aid scheme
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EWN reports that the National Education Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) has warned that its looming strike at National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) will likely to cripple the student financial aid scheme.
Protestor killed on Wednesday during community protest at RBPlat’s North shaft
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Mining Weekly reports that Royal Bafokeng Platinum (RBPlat) on Thursday said a person was killed after a group of more than 100 protestors – including former employees and unknown persons – attempted to gain unlawful access to its North shaft on Wednesday evening.
Gauteng nursing colleges shut doors to all first year students without external bursaries
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SowetanLive reports that about 700 nursing candidates who cannot afford fees this year at Gauteng colleges will be left out in the cold.
Q(h)ubeka Trust has so far awarded R102m out of R395m to qualifying ex-mineworkers
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Mining Weekly reports that a trust formed in 2016 to compensate a group of former Anglo American SA (AASA) and AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) employees who suffer from silica-related illnesses has already distributed about R102m of a R395m settlement.
Prasa warns of impact on commuters of prohibition on manual train authorisations
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Engineering News reports that the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) has warned that a ban on manually authorising trains will negatively impact on Metrorail commuters.