In our afternoon roundup, see summaries
of our selection of South African labour-
related stories that appeared thus far on
Tuesday, 21 November 2017.
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Defence force union Sandu to lay criminal charges against Brian Molefe News24 reports that the SA National Defence Union (Sandu) on Monday said it would this week be filing criminal charges against former Eskom boss Brian Molefe following his appointment as an honorary colonel of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF). The union also wants his call-up to be withdrawn immediately, failing which it will take the necessary legal action. "Molefe must be brought to book together with whoever in the military aided this fraud and he must pay back the salary he received," said Sandu's Pikkie Greeff in a statement. Greeff said news that Molefe had been given the position of honorary colonel in the SANDF reserves was perplexing because “an honorary colonel of the SANDF reserve is not, by law, eligible for call-up into active duty." He explained that a valid call-up into active duty required the incumbent to have a substantive military rank, obtained through military training and the appropriate qualifications. "It also requires that the officer holds a commissioned rank. Molefe meets none of these requirements. Molefe's call-up is thus unlawful and fraudulent,” Greeff claimed. According to City Press, Molefe has earned R57,000 a month since August as a military colonel, despite having no military background. Read this report by Amanda Khoza in full at News24. See Sandu’s press statement in this regard at Sandu online Brian Molefe's remuneration above board, claims SANDF News24 reports that the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) has confirmed that Brian Molefe was regarded as a reserve force member and was remunerated. This was in reaction to a report by City Press, in which it was stated that Molefe had earned R57,000 a month since August as a military colonel, despite having no military background. The SANDF neither confirmed nor denied the salary cited, but said Molefe was part of a specialist group of people who were called up for specific duties over a short-term period, as per the requirements of the defence force. It explained that Molefe was appointed both as a reserve force member and an honorary colonel of one of the reserve force regiments, adding that the latter dated back to the time when he was CEO of the Public Investment Corporation. He had successfully attended the obligatory training required for an official reserve force appointment, the SANDF said and added that in the case of his duties as an honorary colonel, “Molefe may not, and does not, receive remuneration.” Read this report by Lizeka Tandwa in full at News24. Read too, Brian Molefe’s army post ‘in order’, at BusinessLive. And also, Weermag sê Molefe se oproep is ‘bo verdenking’, at Maroela Media
Animal welfare inspector shot, robbed in Cape Town hijacking News24 reports that hijackers robbed and shot an animal inspector mere metres from the Animal Welfare Society in Philippi on Monday afternoon. Vice chair and CEO for the society, Dr John McMullen, said that staff were left traumatised after the attack on their branded work vehicle just "down the road" from their offices. "The staff is in complete shock. We have closed the facility and police are taking statements as we speak," he advised. Inspector Angelique Stanbridge and a secretary were heading to the bank with R48,000, the takings since last Friday, when they were attacked. McMullen indicated: "The inspector was driving and she was shot in her arm. Luckily the bullet went through. She is currently in hospital. Our secretary ran back to the offices and told us what had happened". Police recovered the vehicle in Sweet Valley, but the money was gone. A case of attempted murder is being investigated. A short report by Kaveel Singh is at News24 Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Coal sector strike in balance as NUM weighs new Chamber wage offer Miningmx reports that the Chamber of Mines of SA and the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) reconvened on Monday to discuss the latest coal industry wage offer made following eleventh hour talks. Livhuwani Mammburuu, spokesman for the NUM, commented: “I can’t say at this stage whether we can accept or reject the latest proposal from the coal mining firms. By Wednesday, members ought to give the union a mandate.” He declined to comment on whether the Chamber had made any concessions on centralised bargaining in future wage talks. The coal companies’ reticence to conduct future wage talks under the auspices of the Chamber has been a major sticking point. The NUM would prefer to settle wage negotiations through centralised bargaining in the future; so much so, that it has made it part of its wage demands. Coal mining companies are thought to have argued that individualised wage negotiations make it easier for the smaller coal miners to reach agreements of their own rather than having to toe the line of the financially stronger larger companies. The NUM has meantime held back notice of a strike in view of Monday’s plenary session. Read this report by David McKay in full at Miningmx Other labour / community posting(s) relating to mining
Numsa accuses appliance maker Whirlpool of bullying tactics to get agreement ANA reports that the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) on Tuesday condemned what it called attempts by household appliances maker Whirlpool to bully it into signing an agreement to end ongoing industrial action. As many as 900 workers, including non-union members, have been on strike since 6 November over housing assistance demands. In a statement, Numsa condemned “attempts by the management team at Whirlpool to bully us into accepting an agreement, without consulting our members, in order to end the strike.” Numsa said the company had over the weekend proposed a housing allowance of R150 per month, against the workers’ demand for R500. “Our members have made it clear that they will not return to work until Whirlpool makes a meaningful offer, which they can engage with,” the union stated. It indicated that it would meet Whirlpool officials on Tuesday. Read this report in full at The Citizen. Read Numsa’s press statement at Numsa online
Nehawu stages march against Department of Higher Education in Pretoria on Tuesday eNCA reports that disruptions were expected on Tuesday at Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and the Community Education and Training (CET) colleges countrywide. This would have been due to a national day of action march against the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) to take place in Pretoria by members of the National Education Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu). The union indicated in a statement: “The status quo cannot continue as is and thus we will give the Minister fourteen days to positively respond to our demands as contained in the memorandum to be delivered tomorrow (Tuesday). Failure to respond positively to our demands will leave us with no option but to render the system both unworkable and ungovernable.” Read this report in full at eNCA. Read Nehawu’s press statement in this regard at Cosatu Today Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Numsa rejects Eskom’s request for a 19.9% tariff increase Business Report writes that the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) has called on the National Energy Regulator of SA (Nersa) to reject power utility Eskom’s request for a 19.9% tariff increase. Nersa is currently holding public consultations on Eskom’s request to increase its prices in the 2018/19 financial year and Numsa made its submission on Monday. "We view this demand by Eskom as nothing more than a gross abuse of power, and an attempt by the State Owned Entity (SOE) to hold the entire country and the economy hostage. To make matters worse Eskom is poorly led and its senior management team is drowning in scandals," Numsa stated. The union accused Eskom of having the "audacity" of making a "thumb suck demand" and of being completely oblivious to the suffering of the working class majority. Numsa further called on Eskom to change its mandate from profit seeking to ensuring that SA was adequately electrified both for domestic and industrial life. Read this report in full at Business Report. Read Numsa’s press statement in this regard at Numsa online Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Recruitment drive for new EPWP programme launched by Tshwane mayor in Mamelodi The Citizen reports that Tshwane mayor Solly Msimanga did a walkabout at Denlyn Shopping Centre, in Mamelodi West, on Monday to recruit the jobless to register for the improved Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP). The roadshow, which will continue throughout the week across all poverty-stricken areas in the capital, is to potentially recruit 23,000 EPWP workers to begin the programme in January. Msimanga said the programme was to employ workers on a temporary or contract basis with the intention of transferring skills and providing a “much-needed” income. He added: “We don’t care if you are DA, EFF or ANC. Hunger has no political affiliation.” In September, the council approved a revised EPWP framework for the current financial year after the programme had become tarnished over the years for being synonymous with nepotism and patronage on the basis of political affiliation. The programme’s central database would also be used by the city to store information of interested, unemployed residents, Msimanga indicated. Read this report by Rorisang Kgosana in full at The Citizen SA students win international prize with job finding app Cape Argus reports that a group of South African students has won the 2017 Geneva Challenge Prize after they developed an app for jobseekers. The app, called Umvozu, also allows employers to access the job characteristics on the app to make better decisions on whom to employ. “The whole team is very honoured. Unemployment, closely linked to skill deficiency, is a serious issue in South Africa (so) the project gives us an opportunity to change someone’s life forever,” said team member Boitumelo Dikoko. The GC: Advancing Development International Student Competition encourages Masters students to propose solutions to world problems. This year, the challenge was to explore employment’s role in fostering social development and 135 projects were submitted. The winning teams got 10000 Swiss francs (R1.4million), 5000 francs and 2500 francs. Read this report by Marvin Charles in full at Cape Argus
NGOs trained to pick up the slack caused by shortage of social workers TimesLive reports that a huge shortfall in qualified, practising social workers in SA has resulted in NGOs upskilling to pick up the slack. In the past five years more than 3,500 people from 300 NGOs have received training from the Community Chest Capacity Building in areas from basic organisational development to courses on project management and financial literacy. The programmes have aimed at uplifting NGOs by providing them with skills to access funding and operate effectively. There are currently 30,271 social workers registered with the SA Council for Social Services Profession, but not all practise. According to Capacity Building programme manager Yumna Martin, the delivery of basic social welfare services is hindered by a huge shortfall in social worker numbers, estimated to be about 77%. "In this context, the work of NGOs becomes critical to fill the gap and provide support to those in need," Martin said. According to the National Development Plan, SA needs 55,000 social services practitioners, including social workers, by 2030. Read this report by Farren Collins in full at TimesLive Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Two Cape Town taxi drivers register breath alcohol readings of 13 and 18 times over limit ANA reports that a taxi driver in Cape Town was arrested on Monday, after a breath alcohol test revealed he was 13 times over the legal limit. Cape Town Traffic Services’ Richard Coleman said the driver, who was transporting 16 commuters to the city centre, was arrested at a roadblock along Duinefontein Road in Heideveld. The arrest came a day after another taxi driver was nabbed after his breathalyser reading registered at 1.77mg of alcohol per 1000ml of breath, in what Coleman described as “one of the highest readings ever seen”. The driver, who was pulled over after a motorist flagged down officers, had a female passenger with a child in the taxi. “As a driver that carries a professional driving permit, this reading equates to nearly 18 times over the legal limit, which is shocking. Even if he was carrying a normal driving license he would still be nearly eight times over the legal limit,” said Coleman. This short report is at eNCA Other internet posting(s) in this news category
See our listing of links to labour articles published on the internet on Monday, 20 November 2017 at SA Labour News
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