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.
In our roundup of weekend and recent reports,
see summaries of our selection of South African
labour-related stories that recently appeared.
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Trade unions mourn death of Wits academic Professor Eddie Webster The Citizen reports that tributes poured in last week for academic and leading anti-apartheid activist Prof Eddie Webster. Webster, who dedicated his life to industrial sociology, economics, politics and labour research – and contributed immensely to worker struggles and laws – unexpectedly died of a heart attack at the age of 82 last week. Mourning his passing, the SA Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi and Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) national spokesperson Matthew Parks said Webster’s contribution had “left an indelible mark”. Vavi commented further: “Arguably, he is the founder of South Africa’s industrial sociology. Among some of his initiatives to develop industrial sociology was the foundation of the Society, Work and Politics Institute and the Southern Centre for Inequality Studies at Wits University.” Parks said Webster was “passionate about research – in particular the evolving labour landscape and left an indelible mark in the study of the sociology of work and labour in South Africa.” Webster obtained a BA Honours degree and a university education diploma from Rhodes University, an MA from Oxford University and a bachelor of philosophy degree from York University. He obtained his PhD from the University of the Witwatersrand. Webster wrote several books, over 100 academic articles and numerous research reports. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Brian Sokutu at The Citizen. Read too, Eddie Webster leaves a legacy of advocacy for social justice that transcends academia, at Daily Maverick
eThekwini metro offers free ‘dump-it-yourself’ refuse drop-offs as Samwu strike continues News24 reports that the SA Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) strike continued in eThekwini on Saturday, with the metro seemingly unable to do more than offer residents and businesses free rubbish dumping at its municipal sites. The strike began on 27 February and is primarily over salary scales. Rubbish has piled up, technical faults are not being attended to, and the Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union (Imatu) says its members who are not on strike are threatened when they try to work. Samwu eThekwini chairperson Siyabonga Dladla would only say: "Negotiations are still under way." Striking workers have been interdicted against "unlawful conduct, acts of violence and interference with the City's activities, services and operations". The metro has also served 79 striking employees with notices of misconduct proceedings. The metro indicated that it would allow the dumping of one whole bakkie load at a time until the strike ends. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jenni Evans at News24. Read too, Illegal strike turns Durban into a toxic dump, at Sunday Times (subscriber access only)
SARS reinstates appeal against ruling forcing it to implement last leg of wage deal Sunday Independent reports that SA Revenue Service (SARS) commissioner Edward Kieswetter told unions representing its employees that the taxman’s funding deficits had forced him not to fully increase salaries by 6.2%. This emerged in papers filed at the North Gauteng High Court after SARS made a U-turn on its earlier decision to withdraw its appeal of Judge Elizabeth Kubushi’s ruling forcing the tax collector to honour the last leg of a three-year wage increase agreement signed in April 2019. Sobantu Ndlangalavu, head of employee relations and labour at SARS, explained in the taxman’s now reinstated application for leave to appeal Judge Kubushi’s judgment that the requisite funds were not available to fund full implementation of the wage agreement. He indicated that Sars had a funding deficit ranging between R2.355bn for the 2022/23 financial year to R3.537bn for the 2024/25 financial year. Ndlangalavu said engagements with the Public Servants Association (PSA) and the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) had been held in an attempt to reach a settlement agreement with both of the unions and it had only reinstated its application for leave to appeal after the settlement talks had broken down. According to SARS, the wage agreement was invalid and unlawful as it was non-compliant with the Public Finance Management Act. The PSA indicated that it had filed its notice of intention to oppose the matter and now has 15 court days to deliver its answering affidavit. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Loyiso Sidimba at Sunday Independent
Pravin Gordhan to retire from politics after general elections IOL News reports that Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan has indicated he will be retiring from politics after the general elections. This came after as the African National Congress (ANC) held a special National Executive Committee (NEC) to finalise its list of candidates to serve in Parliament and provincial legislatures. Gordhan refused nomination to serve in the NEC at the last ANC conference in Nasrec in December 2022. The minister has been in government since 2009 when he was appointed finance minister by then president Jacob Zuma. He later had a fallout with Zuma after he axed him from his cabinet. President Cyril Ramaphosa brought Gordhan back when he appointed him public enterprises minister In the past few months Gordhan has a had a run-in with members of the portfolio committee on public enterprises over the sale of SA Airways (SAA) to the Takatso consortium. The deal was shrouded in secrecy after former Director-General Kgathatso Tlhakudi accused Gordhan of corruption in the deal. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Siyabonga Mkhwanazi at IOL News. See too, Pravin Gordhan to retire after elections, at Moneyweb Gordhan has ‘been in the game for too long' and his retirement is long overdue, say analysts City Press reports that certain political analysts have described Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan’s retirement from politics after the upcoming general elections as “long overdue” and expected. Professor Ntsikelelo Breakfast, a political analyst at Nelson Mandela University, along with another political analyst, Dr Dale McKinley, shared the sentiment that Gordhan's legacy, which is rooted in his role as an anti-apartheid activist and his efforts, or perceived lack thereof, in reviving the country's struggling state-owned enterprises (SOEs), constitute a mixed bag of tenure in government since the dawn of democracy in 1994. The 74-year-old Gordhan confirmed in a statement on Friday he would retire from politics after the 29 May elections. In a press interview, he said he was stepping down to focus on his health and family. Breakfast said he wasn’t surprised by Gordhan’s decision to retire from politics. He said Gordhan’s career in public service had had many ups and downs, and his exclusion from the ANC’s national executive committee (NEC) in December 2022 during the party’s 55th national conference was a clear sign that his time in government was running out. Gordhan has held several key positions in government, including chairperson of the Constitutional Committee in Parliament, Commissioner for the SA Revenue Service (Sars) and minister of finance under former president Jacob Zuma. However, the last few years of his political career have been marred by controversies and criticism over his style of leadership with regards to the mess facing SOEs, most notably with the logistical challenges at Transnet and the sale of SAA to Takatso Consortium. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Thapelo Lekabe at City Press (subscriber access only). Read too, Numsa: Gordhan’s retirement as the minister of Public Enterprises is ‘good riddance to bad rubbish!’, at Business Report. And also, Numsa reprimands media over favourable reportage on Pravin Gordhan, at Sunday Independent Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Maria Ramos to stand down as AngloGold Ashanti chair BusinessLive reports that precious metals producer AngloGold Ashanti announced on Friday that the chair of its board, Maria Ramos, would not stand for re-election at its annual meeting on 28 May. A former CEO of Transnet and Absa, Ramos served as director of AngloGold Ashanti since June 2019 and as chair since December 2020. The board has chosen Jochen Tilk, an independent non-executive director since January 2019, to take over from Ramos, subject to his re-election at the AGM. AngloGold, which exited SA in 2020, operates mines in the rest of Africa, Australia and the Americas. The group also announced that Maria Richter, a nonexecutive director of the board since January 2015 has also elected not to stand for re-election at the AGM in May. Subject to his re-election at the AGM, Albert Garner has been appointed to replace Richter as chair of the compensation and human resources committee. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Denene Erasmus at BusinessLive
Gauteng health department appoints new CEOs at three academic hospitals News24 reports that Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital (Ga-Rankuwa), Steve Biko Academic Hospital (Pretoria) and Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (Johannesburg) are under new leadership following the appointments of three CEOs earlier this month. The Gauteng Department of Health announced the appointments of Lehlohonolo Majake-Mogoba, Fhatuwani Mbara and Nthabiseng Makgana as the new executives at the three academic hospitals from 1 March. Majake-Mogoba is a former director of Steve Biko Academic Hospital, who also served as general manager at Mediclinic Heart Hospital and as hospital clinical manager at Mediclinic Muelmed Hospital. Mbara acted in his new position in September last year, while Makgana is the former acting CEO of Pholosong Regional Hospital in Ekurhuleni. Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko commented: “As we ready ourselves for the implementation of the NHI [National Health Insurance], it is imperative that we have capable leaders at the helm of our academic hospitals. Their expertise and strategic vision will play a vital role in advancing our healthcare system, promoting equity and improving access to quality healthcare services for all. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Cebelihle Bhengu at News24
Lindiwe Zulu allegedly targeting senior executives who exposed shady appointments in her department City Press reports that Minister of Social Development Lindiwe Zulu and her acting director-general Linton Mchunu have been accused of embarking on a witch-hunt to remove senior managers who opposed and exposed the irregular reappointment of four executive committee members in acting capacities. In September last year, it was reported that 34 senior managers had signed and submitted a petition opposing the reappointment of the four committee members. Their objection to the reappointment of Mchunu and three other officials was supported by deputy Minister Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu and Nehawu. The trade union also submitted a memorandum to Mchunu and Zulu, demanding that she should stop the reappointments. Nevertheless, Zulu reappointed Thabani Buthelezi as deputy director-general of strategy and organisational transformation, Fanie Esterhuizen as chief financial officer, Isabella Sekawana as deputy director-general of welfare service, and Mchunu as acting director-general. The department has now instituted an investigation into the 34 senior managers and Nehawu representatives for blowing the whistle on the reappointment of the committee members. According to an internal circular issued by deputy director of corporate services Khumbula Ndaba last week, the month-long investigation is scheduled to commence on 13 March and conclude in April. The senior managers have written a strongly worded letter to director of corporate services Ndaba and labour relations director Koos Shabangu, objecting to the investigation. The department has assured Nehawu that the investigation was in no way aimed at victimising the petitioners or any participant, but only at ensuring that the process was credible, fair and objective. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Norman Masungwini at City Press (subscriber access only)
Eastern Cape health department fails to pay security contractor, leaving Nelson Mandela Bay guards without salaries GroundUp reported last week that dozens of security guards working at hospitals and clinics in Nelson Mandela Bay were still waiting to be paid their January salaries by their former employer. The company, Xhobani Security Services, explained that it couldn’t pay until the provincial Department of Health paid its outstanding debt of R3-million. Xhobani ended its contract with the department in February, a month early because it had no “financial muscle” to render further service. Some guards embarked on a brief protest but returned to work under a month-to-month contract for a different company, Tekhu Security Services. Xhobani recently paid outstanding salaries to guards working at the Uitenhage Provincial Hospital in Kariega. But guards at several clinics, including Laetitia Bam Day Hospital and clinics at Nomangesi Jayiya, Middle Street, Rosedale and others have not been paid. National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union’s (Nehawu’s) Samkelo Msila blamed the department’s failure to pay suppliers on mismanagement of financial resources. But Eastern Cape health spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo indicated: “This particular company [Xhobani] chose to abandon the site. The contract between Xhobani and the department ended in November 2023 prompting a month-to-month contract, and in January 2024 the company withdrew from the month-to-month contract. At the beginning of February 2024 the department paid them the December 2023 invoice. The company refused to submit January invoices sighting legal advice, otherwise we were ready to pay for their January invoice. Now they will be paid in April 2024.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Thamsanqa Mbovane at GroundUp
‘Grabbing of workers’ pension fund money for state entities’ opposed by Solidarity In a press statement last week, Solidarity indicated it was vehemently opposed to “grabbing workers’ pension fund money to keep ailing state entities afloat.” According to the trade union’s deputy general secretary for strategy, Marius Croucamp, Solidarity will go all out to protect workers’ retirement funds against the ANC government’s attempt to grab the funds. Zuko Godlimpi, deputy chair of the ANC’s Economic Transformation Committee, last week intimated that after the general elections, the ANC intended to focus on introducing prescribed assets for retirement funds. According to the ANC’s policy, the country’s retirement savings should also be spread across more asset classes as they were far too concentrated on the stock exchange. The pension fund industry reacted by criticising the ANC’s policy statements, and warned against investing in prescribed assets that would not perform optimally. “Solidarity’s position on the so-called prescribed assets is that the ANC should simply not be allowed to touch workers’ retirement savings in any way whatsoever. State enterprises such as Eskom and Transnet are mismanaged and being looted, and serve as vehicles for cadre deployment,” said Croucamp. “It would be irrational and reckless to invest retirement money in ailing state enterprises at this stage, especially as it would prejudice the value and growth of workers’ retirement funds,” he added. Read Solidarity’s press statement on this matter at Politicsweb. Lees ook, Pensioengeld om staat te help? Aikôna! by Maroela Media
Jozini mayor allegedly fired manager for refusing to give him job protection money’ Sunday Independent reports that a former communications manager in the Jozini Local Municipality has revealed that she was targeted and victimised by the current sitting mayor after she did not give in to his demand for money in exchange for “job protection“. Sinenhlanhla Mthembu has claimed that, at the instruction of IFP mayor Mfananaye Mathe, municipal manager Jaconia Mngomezulu removed her from her position, which she held from 2019 until June 2022, when her position was advertised without her knowledge. Mthembu said it all started when she received a text message from Mathe with an attached Capitec bank card that had an account number and the name of the account holder, to which she was supposed to make a cash deposit. She claimed that after a few days, when she did not send money to the account, Mathe tried to call her and when she didn’t answer, Mathe sent a text message saying “delete my number and I will delete yours”. In a more than 60-minute-long voice recording, Mthembu is heard explaining to Mngomezulu that she was being victimised at work, and that her office had been taken away from her. In response, Mngomezulu can be heard telling Mthembu to continue reporting for work even when there were issues. Contacted for comment, Mngomezulu said that Mthembu had never been fired by the Jozini Local Municipality and that she was still an employee of the municipality. “With regard to the allegations/demands by the mayor requesting money, I am not aware of those demands. They were never brought to my attention. Miss Mthembu only showed me a message which she claims it was from the mayor which reads ‘uthela kubani’ (who are you sending it to?).” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Thabo Makwakwa at Sunday Independent
Solidarity wants Judge Mandlenkosi Motha investigated and removed for exceeding limits of judicial authority Sunday Independent reports that Solidarity has called for North Gauteng High Court Judge Mandlenkosi Motha to be investigated and removed from the judiciary. The trade union, through its Solidarity Law Network, has written to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) following Motha's recent request for an explanation from four advocates opposing each other in a case about black economic scorecards as to why none of them were black. This was in a matter brought by Periform Work Scaffolding Engineering against the Commissioner of Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Commission. The case was heard on 23 January and Motha reserved judgment and ordered the legal teams to submit head of arguments to him regarding the matter. Solidarity Law Network said this was a serious violation of the principles of fairness and impartiality. Network head Riaan Visser said the role of a judge was to let justice prevail and to apply the Constitution impartially, without any prejudice or preference. He said it was clear that Motha exceeded the limits of judicial authority. “This is a judge with a personal agenda which is totally irrelevant to the case serving before him. He acted based on his personal conviction. Moreover, he did so without any of the parties involved in the relevant case having objected about the issue themselves,” said Visser. He added that this was not the first time Motha’s judgment had been influenced by political or racial issues. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Manyane Manyane at Sunday Independent
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