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.
Possible criminal charges for former Tshwane mayor over fake insolvency rehabilitation certificate
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IOL reports that former Tshwane mayor Dr Murunwa Makwarela may face both fraud and perjury charges after submitting a fake insolvency rehabilitation certificate in order to retain his mayoral position.
Three Ekurhuleni cops arrested after allegedly kidnapping a supermarket employee and demanding bribe for his release
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News24 reports that three specialist Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) officers who allegedly kidnapped a supermarket employee and demanded a bribe for his release, have been charged with kidnapping, theft, extortion and defeating the ends of justice.
Soldiers deployed at Ekurhuleni hospital on Monday amid continuing Nehawu strike
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News24 reports that soldiers were on Monday deployed outside Thelle Mogoerane Hospital in Vosloorus amid the Nehawu wage protests that have disrupted operations at hospitals countrywide.
Roundup on Monday, 13 March 2023 of weekend labour reports
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In our roundup of weekend news, see
summaries of our selection of South African
labour-related stories that appeared since
Friday, 10 March 2023.
Department of Military Veterans director-general Irene Mpolweni suspended
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The Citizen reports that the Ministry of Defence and Military Veterans confirmed over the weekend that Irene Mpolweni, Director-General (DG) of the Department of Military Veterans, had been placed on precautionary suspension.
Much at stake in ConCourt case over retrospective changes in pension fund payout rules
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BL Premium reports that a legal challenge before the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) aims to stop pension funds making retrospective changes in their terms that can affect payout rates.
City Power technicians held hostage, threatened during blitz on Friday in Lenasia over unpaid electricity bills
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News24 reports that on Friday City Power was forced to abandon its blitz to cut off electricity connections due to unpaid bills in Lenasia, where it is owed more than R1.2 billion by customers.
Nehawu vows to intensify public sector wage strike
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The Citizen reports that the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) has vowed to intensify its public service strike until its demands are met by government.
Eskom mum on progress to find permanent CEO replacement for De Ruyter
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Sunday Times Daily reports that embattled power utility Eskom has refused to shed light on the process to fill the vacant CEO position after the departure of André de Ruyter.
Sibanye-Stillwater slashes the number of retrenchments at Beatrix and Kloof
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BL Premium reports that gold and platinum producer Sibanye-Stillwater is to retrench 168 workers after initially planning almost 2,000 job cuts as it reduces or stops production at two SA gold operations.
Pretoria chartered accountant gets six years in jail for TERS fund fraud
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News24 reports that a chartered accountant's plea for a fine instead of a prison sentence failed when the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court sentenced him to an effective six years in prison for fraud, theft and money laundering in connection with Covid-19 relief funds.
Six people arrested for public violence during Nehawu strike, another for throwing faeces at home affairs office
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News24 reports that seven people have been arrested and charged with public violence as the nationwide strike by members of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) continued on Thursday.
Zwelinzima Vavi has until Friday to give reasons why he shouldn’t be recalled from Saftu
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The Citizen reports that in what could threaten the growth of the fledgling SA Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu), a resurfacing of a deep tensions between Saftu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi and the National Union of Metalworkers of SA’s (Numsa’s) Irvin Jim may mark a setback to the labor movement in SA.
'Thugs, bullies and big man mentality', says Sadtu as it slams 'abhorrent behaviour' of Nehawu strikers
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News24 reports that the SA National Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) is furious with its striking sister union, the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) and has accused it of “bullying” and “thuggery” amid violent wage protests.
Morning roundup of labour news on Friday, 10 March 2023
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In our Friday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South African
labour-related reports.
Four contract electricians dispatched to restore power in Cruywagen Park in Ekurhuleni killed by residents
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News24 reports that four contract electricians were murdered in Cruywagen Park on Monday after they were attacked by the very community they had come to help.
Go George bus service conducts test drives for expansion rollout one week after petrol bomb attack
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News24 reports that test drives ahead of the expansion in the rollout of the Go George bus service to Thembalethu are taking place this week under the watchful eye of police and law enforcement agencies.
Marikana mineworkers to know on Friday whether they will face murder charges
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IOL reports that seventeen Marikana mineworkers will know on Friday whether charges against them are to be dropped or whether they will stand trial on murder charges related to events shortly before the 2012 massacre at the Lonmin platinum mine.
Hospitals and government offices disrupted as Nehawu’s public sector wage strike intensified on Wednesday
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GroundUp reports that striking members of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) protested across the country on Wednesday, with some strikers closing down hospitals and disrupting health services and government offices.
Limpopo police arrest two after mob attack on alleged robbers posing as Bolt drivers
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TimesLive reports that police in Polokwane have arrested two suspects alleged to be behind the mob murder of alleged bogus Bolt drivers.
Morning roundup of labour news on Thursday, 9 March 2023
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In our Thursday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South African
labour-related reports.
Irvin Jim moves to push Zwelinzima Vavi out as general secretary of Saftu
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GroundUp reports that Irvin Jim, general secretary of the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa), has given Zwelinzima Vavi notice that the union intends to recall Vavi from his role as general secretary of the SA Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU). Numsa is Saftu’s largest member.
ANC prepares for legal fight with Andre de Ruyter over corruption claims
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BL Premium reports that having received no response from former Eskom CEO André de Ruyter on its demands to provide it with evidence that it has benefited from corruption at Eskom, the ANC says it is finalising legal action against him.
Striking nurses at Stanger Hospital in KZN assail ambulance carrying critically ill child
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TimesLive reports that striking nurses allegedly assailed an ambulance crew transporting a child in critical condition to Stanger Hospital in KwaDukuza, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), on Wednesday and assaulted a paramedic.
Harmony Gold reports fatality at Free State mine
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Reuters reports that Harmony Gold on Wednesday reported a fatality at its Tshepong North mine near Welkom in the Free State province, following a rigging-related incident.
Durbanville farmworker seriously injured after tractor rolled over him
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Cape Times reports that a Durbanville farmworker was airlifted to a nearby hospital after the tractor he was driving reportedly rolled over and landed on top of him last week.
Electricity ministry needs an energy engineer, not another bureaucrat
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The Citizen writes that a popular refrain heard in recent weeks when discussing the attributes needed by the head of the country’s newly-created electricity ministry is that“you don’t need a brain surgeon to run a hospital.”
Cosatu disappointed cabinet remains bloated
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Cape Times reports that labour federation Cosatu has expressed disappointment that President Cyril Ramaphosa’s cabinet reshuffle increased the number of ministers, so further bloating government.
Healthcare services disrupted as Nehawu wage strike continued on Tuesday
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BusinessLive reports that a strike by members of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) continued to disrupt services at public hospitals on Tuesday, with reports of violence, intimidation and compromised patient care.
Nineteen arrested for allegedly defrauding GEMS medical scheme of R2.3 million for services or goods not provided
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The Citizen reports that 19 accused appeared before the Nelspruit District Court on Monday after they were arrested by the Hawks for allegedly stealing R2.3 million via the Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS).