In our roundup of weekend news, see summaries of our
selection of South African labour-related stories
that appeared since Friday, 26 December 2017.
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Lesufi promises action against Reiger Park principal accused of sexual assault ANA reports that Gauteng MEC for Education, Panyaza Lesufi, expressed his disappointment and disgust on Friday after pictures emerged on social media allegedly involving a school principal in a compromised position with pupils in his office. The school concerned is apparently Reiger Park High School in Boksburg. The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) said in a statement: "Our enquiry revealed that the principal resigned in October 2017; and as such his last day was 15 January 2018. It must be noted that he is no longer in the employment of the department; however we will report him to the South African Council of Educators (SACE) to be struck of the roll with immediate effect." The department said it was ready to support all pupils and parents and indicated that that it has a zero-tolerance stance on allegations of sexual assault and has never hesitated to act. Read this report in full at eNCA. See too, Reiger Park principal resigns after sex video with pupils emerges, at EWN. And also, Gauteng education department condemns acts of sexual misconduct in schools, at EWN Commission of inquiry urgently needed to probe extent of sexual abuse in Gauteng schools, says DA ANA reports that the Democratic Alliance (DA) has repeated its call for a commission of inquiry to probe the extent of sexual abuse in Gauteng schools and to establish a toll-free line for pupils to report instances of such abuse. DA Gauteng MPL Khume Ramulifho said on Saturday that the party strongly condemned the “disgusting behaviour” displayed by a Reiger Park high school principal after videos and photos went viral on social media of him allegedly having sex with pupils in his office. He went on to say: “We welcome this sex-pest principal’s immediate resignation from his post. However, he must not go unpunished for stripping these learners of their innocence and needs to face the full might of the law.” Accordingly, the principal should be named and shamed, should be registered as a sexual offender and should be banned from ever working with children again. The DA made the call for a commission of inquiry last year after more than 87 pupils were allegedly sexually abused by patrollers in Soweto schools. “This problem is clearly far bigger than what we initially thought and requires greater intervention than the premier’s task team,” Ramulifho said. Read this report in full at The Citizen Sanco calls for action against school principal allegedly caught on sex video with pupils ANA reports that according to the South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco), criminal charges should be pursued against the Reiger Park High School principal who resigned after “his alleged sex video with pupils” emerged on social media last week. Sanco expressed disappointment that education authorities had allowed the alleged perpetrator the space to resign without punishment commensurate with his “atrocious and despicable” conduct. Sanco national spokesman Jabu Mahlangu said: “Failure to institute disciplinary action against the said individual has allowed him to cash in on resignation benefits that he would have forfeited had he been dismissed.” In his view, disciplinary procedures should adhere to the provisions of the Public Service Act, which directed that when an official resigned after disciplinary action had been instituted against them he or she would be deemed to have been fired. Read this report in full at The Citizen Parents accuse teachers at Parktown Boys High of victimising sexual assault victims EWN reports that the Gauteng Department of Education has confirmed that it is investigating allegations of victimisation of some pupils by teachers at Parktown Boys High School following a sexual assault scandal at the school. A group of concerned parents approached the department, saying boys who were victims of sexual abuse by a staff member were being victimised in class by a number of teachers. In 2017, a water polo coach was accused of sexually assaulting at least 20 learners after evidence of these acts surfaced. It is understood that parents have accused teachers of being insensitive to the boys’ experiences by making jokes and inappropriate comments in class. The department’s Steve Mabona said: “It’s sad that these allegations came to our attention. We’ve already instituted an investigation with the help of an independent firm.” This short report by Tendani Mulaudzi is at EWN
Amcu man in court on Friday for alleged illegal possession of firearm, ammunition ANA reports that a member of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) charged with unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition briefly appeared in the Brits Magistrates’ Court on Friday. The case against William Nyenyane, 29, was postponed to 9 February. He previously denied the charge against him and claimed the police planted a firearm on him when he was arrested on 6 January, on a separate charge of murder. Nyenyane was apparently arrested at Lonmin’s Hossy shaft in Bapong. He is also facing a separate charge of murder, as he is one of the 14 Marikana men accused of hacking Sabata Chale to death in Marikana on 8 December 2016, allegedly over the allocation of low cost (RDP) houses at Marikana West Extension 2. They are due to appear in the North West High Court on 19 February for trial. Read this report in full at The Citizen Other labour / community posting(s) relating to mining
Postings on Mining Charter
Agri SA can't say if new minimum wage for farmworkers is fair as it doesn’t represent workers Business Report writes that agricultural sector association Agri SA on Wednesday said that it could not say whether the recent increase in minimum wages for farm and forestry workers was fair or not. This was after the Department of Labour on Tuesday released the minimum wage rates for the farm and forestry sector for the 2018/2019 year. The new rates, which come into effect on 1 March 2018, will see a significant increase. Employees in the farm and forestry sectors are set to benefit from a 5.6% increase. Calculated on a 9 hour daily shift, the new monthly rate will be R3,169.19 (R731.41 weekly, R146.28 daily and R16.25 hourly). When asked whether the new hourly rate of R16.25 was enough for a farmworker to sustain himself or herself plus family, Agri SA said that because it did not represent workers, but organised agriculture, it would be unfair for it to offer an opinion as requested. “We believe in the balance between commercial sustainability of a farming venture and the interests of workers", the association said. It went on to state that farming was hard, intensive work, and “we are truly thankful to each farmer and worker who ensure that we have food to eat.” Read this report by Zeenat Vallie in full at Business Report. See too, Minimum wage for farm workers increased to R3,169 per month, at Business Report. And also, Só styg minimum loon op plase en in winkels, at Netwerk24 (limit on access). As well as, Mixed reaction to minimum wage on farms, at SA Labour News Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Strike called off after Unisa, unions reach wage agreement on Friday ANA reports that the strike at the University of SA (Unisa) has been called off with immediate effect, the university has indicated in a statement. An agreement facilitated by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) was reached on Friday, Unisa said, adding that the process had been conducted taking into account the financial situation of the university and the realities experienced by the sector. Unisa indicated that permanent and fixed-term employees would receive a differentiated salary increase of 7.5% and there would be a special dispensation for the insourced employees. In a separate statement, the National Education Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) said that the agreed wage increases were on a sliding scale from 6.5% to 8.5% for the lowest paid workers. The union also said the deal included “a massive increase on salaries for security personnel and cleaners with a salary increase of 20% and 18% respectively.” The deal also covered bonus issues and there was agreement on a process to absorb ICT workers who have been on contract for 15 years by no later than the 31 of March 2018. Read this report in full at IOL News. Read Unisa’s press statement at Unisa online. Read Nehawu’s press statement at Polity Numsa vows to intensify its Wits University wage strike EWN reports that the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) has vowed to intensify its strike at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), calling for a wage increase and an end to temporary workers. Numsa is one of four union on strike at Wits. The union indicated that it was aware that learning at the institution was set to begin on Monday, but said this was a situation created by “stubborn management”. The union is demanding a 12% pay increase across the board, while the university is offering 8%. Numsa's Phakamile Hlubi-Majola commented: “Wits University is shamelessly perpetuating inequality and exploitation by refusing to pay workers a living wage. Our members are some of the lowest earners at the institution and they had no choice but to go on strike. Furthermore, we do accept their claims of poverty.” This short report by Hitekani Magwedze is at EWN. See too, Numsa vows to intensify Wits University strike, at News24 With lectures starting on Monday, talks to resolve Wits strike continue on Sunday EWN reports that the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) has denied accusations of employee exploitation as wage negotiations with unions continue without resolution. Staff at the institution affiliated with the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) and the National Education Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) are on strike calling for a 12% hike, while Wits claims it can only offer 8%. Numsa indicated that it was aware that learning at the institution was set to begin on Monday, but said this was a situation created by what the union called ‘stubborn management’. The university’s Shirona Patel pointed out that the 8% offer was above the current inflation rate. But, Numsa’s Phakamile Hlubi-Majola said that wasn’t enough and added: “As Numsa, we’ll be intensifying the strike and from Sunday we’ll be staging a picket on campus to highlight our demands.” Further negotiations with university management started on Saturday and were due to continue on Sunday. This report by Hitekani Magwedze is at EWN Wits University lecturer to be probed for calling striking workers 'monkeys' The New Age reports that the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) said on Sunday that it would probe the incident of a white lecturer from the School of Mechanical Engineering who referred in email correspondence to striking workers at the institution as ‘monkeys’. The lecturer was allegedly referring to National Education Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) members who were protesting at the university over a salary dispute on Thursday. “Oh no, they are singing outside my window now. urgh. Monkeys. Biggest. Jungle. Connect the dots,” the email read. Upon realising the mishap, the lecturer allegedly attempted to correct the message and later apologised for the incident. “I completely concede that this was not funny and you have my apology. Unreserved. The line was crossed,” he indicated in a further email. Wits spokesperson Shirona Patel said the university would investigate the allegations and, if true, expeditious disciplinary action would be taken against the lecturer in question. Read this report in full at The New Age Formal sit-down with mediator needed to end ‘toxic’ DUT strike, says management Daily News reports that management at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) said on Thursday they were only prepared to meet disgruntled strikers if unions agreed to a formal sit-down with a mediator. With classes starting on Monday, there appears to be no end in sight to the ongoing industrial action at the institution. According to Wiseman Madinane, DUT council chairperson, the unions were not budging from their 10% salary increase demands. He went on to say: “We now have a stalemate. We are of the view that the negotiations between the unions and management are somewhat toxic. There are peripheral issues at play. We do not believe that (given) the way these negotiations are being handled, that it would yield any result. We have revised the mandate for management to engage with unions, but that mandate is on condition that future negotiations take place under professional, skilled mediation.” Earlier this month members of the National Education Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu), the Tertiary Education National Union of SA (Tenusa) and the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) embarked on protest action. Nehawu’s Milton Estrice disputed management’s claims that they were refusing to negotiate. Read this report by Se-Anne Rall in full at Daily News. Read too, Acceding to salary demands would compromise teaching and learning, says DUT management, at TimesLive Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Teacher union and DA call for SAHRC probe of Hoërskool Overvaal hate speech IOL News reports that a teacher union has turned to the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), asking that it probe complaints of hate speech and racism emanating from protests at the Hoërskool Overvaal. Since reopening last week, teaching at the Afrikaans-medium school has been marred by protests because it did not accept 55 English-speaking pupils. On Thursday, teachers aligned to the SA Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu), supported by union federation Cosatu, left their pupils in class to hand over a memorandum to the school governing body (SGB) demanding the acceptance of the excluded pupils. There was singing of the song, ‘Kill The Boer’, which was previously deemed as hate speech by the Equality Court. There were also reports of postings by social media user Aubery Mabele, which included “one bullet, een Boere kind”. This prompted the Suid Afrikaanse Onderwysersunie (SAOU), as well as the Democratic Alliance (DA), to lay complaints with the SAHRC on Friday. The Federation of Unions of SA (Fedusa) said the formal charge of hate speech and racism laid by its affiliate, SAOU, was necessitated by Mabele’s post on social media. SAOU also asked the Public Protector to audit the leave records of those teachers who had joined the protest and were on unauthorised leave. Read this report by Mayibongwe Maqhina in full at IOL News. Read too, Department condemns disruptions, on page 10 of Sowetan of 26 January 2018. And also, Sadtu to intensify protest at Hoërskool Overvaal in coming week, at SABC News Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Artisan training in aviation field to benefit over 40 North West youth SABC News reports that over 40 previously disadvantaged students from villages, townships and small towns in the North West have been granted an opportunity to further their technical and aviation skills at the Denel Technical Academy in Kempton Park. The youngsters will receive training in aviation and technical skills to qualify as artisans in aircraft maintenance, welding, fitting and turning and electrical engineering. Dipuo Diphoko is excited about the opportunity which will allow her to break into the male dominated sector. “Studying with Denel is going to give me a lot of opportunities because a lot of women are not involved in fitting and turning. So I am very proud, I will be able to work with bigger companies and I can even start my own company.” The youth will venture into fields with scarce skills, most of which are not available in the province. “There aren’t any places to get practical training and without practical training you can’t get any job. I am very happy because Denel is going to offer me the experience I need to apply my diploma,” said one trainee. Upon finishing their theoretical training, students will complete their practical training at the Mahikeng Airport. Read this report in full at SABC News. See too, North West Premier to attend ceremony for new aviation technical students, at HTSyndication (The New Age)
Public Servants Association and PIC plan R17bn class action against Steinhoff Business Report writes that the Public Servants Association of SA (PSA) and the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) announced on Thursday that they would be pursuing a class action lawsuit against Steinhoff International. The aim would be to recoup around R17bn of pensioners’ money wiped out in the wake of an accounting scandal in December last year. The PIC is the investment agent on behalf of a number of state funds, including the Government Employers Pension Fund (GEPF), whose members include PSA members. The PIC is the second largest shareholder in Steinhoff with an 8.5% stake. The troubled retailer has seen its share price decline by 85% and R200bn wiped off its market capitalisation since it admitted to accounting irregularities last year. PSA general manager Ivan Fredericks confirmed that they were going ahead with the claim “because it is clear from our side that there was a maladministration that took place at Steinhoff,” which he said pointed to issues of bad corporate governance by the former chief executive Markus Jooste and some of the directors. "Steinhoff is slowly becoming a shell. We want to try and recoup losses before it is too late," the PSA’s Tahir Maepa indicated. On 19 January, PSA members marched on Steinhoff’s offices in Stellenbosch to demand access to company documents. Read this report by Sandile Mchunu in full at Business Report. Read too, PSA union in legal steps against Steinhoff, at BusinessLive. And also, Steinhoff CEO Jooste repeatedly lied to authorities, says PSA union, at eNCA Cosatu scraps Sun Met protest on Saturday after assurance about Jooste BusinessLive reports that Cosatu had threatened to demonstrate at the Sun Met‚ in Kenilworth‚ on Saturday if horses owned by disgraced former Steinhoff boss Markus Jooste were to run, but the planned protest was called off. The labour federation’s Western Cape head‚ Tony Ehrenreich‚ described Jooste as "nothing but a looter" who had collapsed Steinhoff‚ "taking billions of rands from poor people’s pension funds". But on Thursday‚ National Horse Racing Authority CEO Lyndon Barends said no horses would be racing in Jooste’s colours and the fallen tycoon would not be earning a cent at the Sun Met. Ehrenreich said on Saturday: "We will not be protesting today. We feel satisfied that no horses are running for Jooste. There are just a few horses left in the race in which he has a very small stake‚ but it has been agreed that by March even those stakes won’t exist anymore." A short report by Tanya Farber is at BusinessLive. See too, Terry Bell’s Inside Labour: Jooste, Sun Met and union pickets, at Fin24 Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Koko’s job safe (for now) as Labour Court blocks move by Eskom to fire him Moneyweb reports that the Labour Court in Johannesburg issued an interim order on Friday, restraining Eskom from unlawfully terminating its head of generation Matshela Koko’s contract of employment. The order was based on a breach of the terms of conditions of his employment and a directive issued to Eskom by government in a statement put out on 21 January 2018 stating: “The board is directed to immediately remove all Eskom executives who are facing allegations of serious corruption and other acts of impropriety, including Mr. Matshela Koko …”. An ultimatum was put to Koko on 25 January to resign before 10:00 on the next day because he was seen as “the face of corruption” at Eskom, or be dismissed. Koko then applied for an interdict to prevent Eskom from firing him. In an affidavit in support of his application, Koko pointed out that he had been found not guilty in an Eskom disciplinary process and was not facing any other charges. He also referred to three other managers at Eskom who were given similar ultimatums as his and who were subsequently fired on 24 January. The return date to court has been set for 6 February. Read this report by Antoinette Slabbert in full at Moneyweb. See too, Reprieve for Koko as court blocks Eskom’s move to boot him out, on page 2 of Saturday Star of 27 January 2018. And also, Eskom executive axed over Koko tender allegations, at TimesLive
Tshwane bus services suspended on Friday afternoon after 'acts of intimidation aimed at bus drivers' News24 reports that the City of Tshwane suspended its bus services on Friday following protest action in the Pretoria CBD. City's spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said in a statement: "The City has decided to withdraw its buses by suspending the shift operations for this afternoon. This decision was taken based on reported acts of intimidation aimed at bus drivers around the City and advice by the law enforcement agencies." He said the decision had been made to safeguard the assets of the Tshwane Bus Service (TBS) and the lives of its drivers as well as those of the commuters and that he anticipated that normal operations would resume on Saturday. Read this report by Mxolisi Mngadi in full at News24. See too, Tshwane bus service back to normal after ‘Vat Alles’ protest on Friday, at EWN Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Limpopo police officer honoured for commitment at SAPS National Excellence Awards News24 reports that a Limpopo police officer, who was shot six times, was honoured for his commitment to the police during the 5th National Excellence Awards held in Durban on Friday evening. The awards event was held to recognise and reward "outstanding performance, exceptional devotion to community relations and extraordinary courage" within the South African Police Service (SAPS). This year's awards boasted 30 categories, which included five special categories awarded by the Minister of Police, Fikile Mbalula and the National Commissioner of the SAPS, General Khehla Sitole. Colonel David Mahlaola, 57, was given the Laureate Award, receiving a new vehicle, sponsored by Old Mutual. Mahlaola, a warrant officer at the time, was followed to his home in Tzaneen by criminals in 1990 and shot six times. He survived the ordeal, but suffered spinal injuries and was paralysed from the waist down. The full list of award recipients is contained in this report. Read this report by Derrick Spies in full at News24 Days that employees will want off in 2018 to pair with public holidays to create long weekends BusinessTech writes that the Day of Reconciliation (16 December) is the only public holiday that falls on a Sunday in 2018, thus making the next day a public holiday as well. However, just two consecutive public holidays can still have a significant impact on working arrangements and shifts, especially in workplaces that run a ’24/7/365′ operation. This is according to Faan Coetzee, employment director at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr, who said that employers should consider the effect on the workplace and implement measures to address the impact on work. “Employers can expect requests for additional days off on Monday, 30 April, Friday, 10 August, Monday, 24 December and Monday, 31 December as these dates are convenient for employees to create long weekends,” he said. Coetzee advised employers to timeously make arrangements with employees who wish to take extra days off to work in those days. Employers should also consider collective agreements and bargaining council agreements that impact public holidays, working arrangements and shifts. This report also lists all the remaining public holidays in 2018. Read this report in full at BusinessTech
See our listing of links to labour articles published on the internet from Friday, 26 January to Sunday, 28 January 2018 at SA Labour News
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