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.
After evasive reply from Gauteng premier, DA vows to fight for report on deadly Bank of Lisbon fire
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Independent News reports that the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng has vowed to fight to force Premier David Makhura to release a report on the probe he conducted into the circumstances which led to the deaths of three firefighters after a fire broke out in a government office at the Bank of Lisbon building in 2018.
Two SAPS members among 11 arrested on Saturday after gun battle in foiled Bryanston heist
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TimesLIVE reports that a detective sergeant and a police administration clerk were arrested after a failed heist that ended in a hail of bullets in Bryanston, Johannesburg, on Saturday night.
Jobs bloodbath far from over, warns Alexander Forbes CEO
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Fin24 reports that SA’s largest pension funds administrator, Alexander Forbes (AF), says between 3,500 to 4,000 retirement fund members are losing their jobs every month.
Pietermaritzburg drama teacher loses appeal against dismissal for sexually assaulting pupil in a taxi
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TimesLIVE reports that a teacher has lost an appeal to overturn his axing for allegedly sexually assaulting a pupil. The Education Labour Relations Council issued its finding against Wonderboy Ngwane last week.
As trade unions turn up the pressure, state moves to solve woes of SAA’s unpaid workers
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Business Report writes that the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) on Friday said it was working with stakeholders to find solutions for national carrier SA Airways (SAA) This came after agitated employees who have not been paid in eight months demanded their salaries.
Roundup on Monday, 7 December 2020 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, 4 December 2020.
JMPD trainees who were recalled because of training shortfalls finally graduate
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Southern Courier reports that the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) trainees who were recalled from duty earlier this year because of training discrepancies have finally graduated.
Bodies of seven unknown persons believed to be illegal miners discovered in Free State mineshaft
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News24 reports that Free State police have opened an inquest after seven bodies of unknown people were discovered inside a shaft at Kopanang Mine in Vierfontein, Free State.
Investigation launched into inferno on Friday at Engen refinery in Durban in which no injuries were recorded
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News24 reports that all refinery process units have been shut down at Engen's Wentworth refinery, while the company investigates the cause of a massive fire which broke out on Friday morning.
Four soldiers rearrested in conspiracy case linked to illegal mining in Welkom
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TimesLIVE reports that a colonel, a warrant officer and two corporals are expected to appear in the Welkom Magistrate’s Court on Monday on charges of conspiracy to commit crime. Hawks spokesperson Capt Lloyd Ramovha indicated that the inspectorate rounded the four soldiers up on Friday.
Vedanta's Gamsberg zinc mine stays shut as search continues for trapped worker
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Reuters reported on Friday that SA’s Gamsberg zinc mine remained shut while owner Vedanta Zinc International (VZI) continued to search for a worker trapped underground following a rockfall on 17 November
Education department will fight exams interdict brought by teachers union Sadtu
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BusinessLive reports that the Department of Basic Education (DBE) says it will defend any attempt in court by the SA Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) to halt the rewriting of leaked matric exam papers.
Mchunu denies committing ‘fiscal treason’ in making R27bn wage settlement to public sector trade unions
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BL Premium reports that Department of Public Service & Administration (DPSA) Minister Senzo Mchunu has rejected suggestions that he committed “fiscal treason” by proposing a R27bn wage settlement to public sector trade unions.
Afternoon roundup of labour news on Thursday, 3 December 2020
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In our afternoon roundup, see summaries
of our selection of South African labour-
related stories that appeared thus far on
Thursday, 3 December 2020.
Two Mpumalanga women guilty of fraud after teaching for nine years with fake qualifications
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News24 reports that two women who taught at schools in Mpumalanga for nine years, did so without any qualifications. On Tuesday, the Volkrust Regional Court found Sibongile Khuzwayo and Nonjabulo Mabuza guilty of fraud.
SAA employees picket over unpaid salaries
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EWN reports that employees of South African Airways (SAA) staged a picket at Airways Park in Kempton Park on Thursday.
More teachers go rogue with increase in corporal punishment and sexual abuse cases
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Saturday Star writes that the SA Council of Educators (Sace) recorded an increase in the number of corporal punishment cases and cases of sexual abuse of pupils during the 2019/20 financial year.
Finance Minister tells court that 2018 public sector wage agreement is invalid because of Covid-19
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Business Report writes that according to Finance Minister Tito Mboweni, Covid-19 has rendered the 2018 three-year wage agreement with public sector unions invalid and unenforceable, given vastly changed circumstances.
Presidency claims that employment stimulus plan has already led to over 400,000 job opportunities
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BL Premium reports that according to the Presidency, more than 400,000 job opportunities have already been supported through President Cyril Ramaphosa's ambitious R100m employment stimulus plan.
Inadequate vetting of 300,000 new assistants at schools raises concerns about safety of pupils
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The Mercury reports that the employment of 200,000 new teaching assistants and 100,000 general assistants at schools across the country has raised concerns about the safety of pupils because of inadequate vetting and shortcomings in the sexual offenders register.
‘Covid-19 instrument’ designed to protect value of top executives’ incentives a focal point of contention at FirstRand AGM
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Moneyweb reports that the FirstRand board spent most of its 90-minute annual general meeting (AGM) on Wednesday trying to defend its “Covid-19 instrument”, which was designed to shelter its top executives from the adverse impact of the pandemic on the value of their long-term incentives.
Collective agreement with unions on restructuring of police force to see ‘more boots on ground'
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Cape Argus reports that a planned restructuring of the police force will see a reduction in the number of deputy national police commissioners, the trimming of divisions, and more boots on the ground.
Government cannot walk away from wage increase deal scot-free, Labour Appeal Court hears
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Moneyweb reports that lawyers for public sector unions argued in court on Wednesday that, although SA’s fiscal position has gradually weakened over the past three years, the government cannot walk away from implementing the final leg of a three-year wage increase deal.
Minerals Council celebrates ten Covid-19 Women in Mining Heroes
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Mining Weekly reports that the Minerals Council SA (MCSA) Women in Mining Leadership Forum has announced ten Covid-19 Women in Mining Heroes, as part of its drive to shine a spotlight on the work done by women in the SA mining industry.
SA must do more to create job opportunities for the disabled
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TimesLIVE writes that as the world commemorates the International Day for Persons with Disabilities on Thursday, SA still has a long way to go when it comes to creating economic opportunities for the disabled.
Solidarity and Uasa ask Labour Court to hold Denel directors in contempt of court for failing to pay salaries
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BL Premium reports Solidarity and Uasa are scheduled to appear in the Labour Court on Thursday to ask it to hold the 15 directors of Denel, including the former CEO, in breach of the law for ignoring a court order.
Former deputy head of KZN Hawks sentenced to eight years in jail for corruption
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Independent News reports that the former deputy head of the Hawks (Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation) in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), Simon Mzayifani Madonsela, was convicted of corruption in the Durban Specialised Commercial Crimes Court and sentenced to eight years’ jail on Tuesday.
Labour Court dismisses bid by union to halt SABC retrenchment process
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Fin24 reports that the Labour Court has dismissed an urgent application by a union representing SA Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) employees to force the public broadcaster to rescind retrenchment letters issued to about 400 workers.
Two employees who set a woman alight for stealing from Superspar Musina dismissed
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GroundUp reports that the two Superspar Musina employees who threw methylated spirits over a woman who had stolen from the shop and then set her alight have been fired.
Seven police personnel dismissed for alleged involvement in criminal activities
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TimesLIVE reports that seven police staff members, inclusive of senior managers and officers, have been dismissed following their alleged involvement in criminal activities.