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 Wednesday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of South African
labour-related reports.
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Joburg will provide extra protection if needed, says mayor after forensic investigator’s murder TimesLIVE reports that Johannesburg mayor Kabelo Gwamanda says the city will provide an additional layer of protection for investigators in the city’s Group Forensics and Investigation Services (GFIS) unit should there be a need. He said that on Tuesday after he had visited the home of forensic investigator Zenzele Benedict Sithole, who was shot dead in Joburg on Thursday while returning to his Ekurhuleni home. There have been suggestions that Sithole, who was attached to the GFIS unit, was assassinated. When asked whether he was concerned about the safety of fellow forensic investigators attached to the unit, Gwamanda confirmed that it was indeed a concern. “When you undertake a programme to create discomfort in a criminal environment, there has to be a concern with the implications. It is a concern for all our investigators. That is why we have, together with the MMC of public safety, engaged on how to assist the kind of investigations that are under way and, if there is an additional level of protection required for our officials, then we need to provide it,” Gwamanda stated. When asked if there was any protection provided for Sithole’s family, Gwamanda said the city was waiting for the police to get an understanding of the circumstances surrounding Sithole’s death, while the group forensic and investigations unit was doing a threat assessment as well. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ernest Mabuza at TimesLIVE Jacket, shoes, wallet and cellphone of missing SANDF soldier found in two locations in bushy terrain News24 reports that it has been more than two months since a SA National Defence Force (SANDF) soldier disappeared from the Lohatla military base in the Northern Cape, leaving only his personal belongings behind. Lance Corporal Luntu Basil Hatta, 53, went missing from the base on 31 May. Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Sergio Kock said the Postmasburg police were assisting the search for Hatta, while the SANDF was still conducting an "intensive search" for the missing soldier. "The team found the jacket, tekkies, wallet and cellphone of the missing person at two different places in the bushy terrain,” Kock advised. Hatta's family said they were living their "worst nightmare", not knowing what happened to their loved one. Hatta's mother, Ndili, said the police and the SANDF had not been forthcoming with information about the missing soldier. Meanwhile, SA National Defence Union (Sandu) general secretary Pikkie Greeff said they were disturbed by the lack of communication from the SANDF regarding Hatta. "Communication at the SANDF has always been of poor standard. For a soldier to just go missing from one of the biggest bases in the country is very uncommon. The family must be going through the worst kind of pain," said Greeff. According to the SANDF, the SA Army Combat Training Centre's HR management practitioners have been in contact with Hatta's family. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lisalee Solomons at News24 Court finds Netcare failed to protect operating theatre manager against an abusive surgeon GroundUp reports that the former manager of an operating theatre at Universitas Hospital has successfully sued Netcare for failing to protect her and take action against an abusive surgeon. Tilana Alida Louw also sued Dr Stephen Paul Grobler but, following his sudden death in June 2022, entered into a confidential settlement agreement with the executor of his estate. She then pursued her case against Netcare Universitas Hospital. In a ruling this month, Bloemfontein High Court Judge Ilsa van Rhyn directed Netcare to pay Louw R300,000 for damages, past and future medical expenses, and to pay part of her costs on a punitive scale. Louw was appointed as theatre manager at the hospital in 2005. Her role was to oversee and manage operating theatres and theatre staff and monitor patient care. At that time, she was warned by the then hospital manager, and others, that Grobler had an “aggressive type personality”. She said she soon experienced firsthand his temper tantrums. In her claim, she said he had verbally abused her continually, hurling profanities, insults, using blasphemous language and obscenities at her in the presence of other operating theatre staff and even members of the public. According to Louw, she and other personnel were “not allowed” to lay complaints against Grobler because he was a “so-called money-spinner for Netcare”. She claimed Netcare had failed to come to her assistance, in spite of her numerous requests and complaints. Louw alleged that Netcare had failed in its legal duty to create a work environment free from verbal abuse and intimidation and to take reasonable care of her safety and protect her from psychological harm. As a result she was humiliated, degraded and suffered shock, anguish, fear and anxiety. She experienced post-traumatic stress syndrome. Netcare unsuccessfully defended the action. It denied that it had breached its duty to Louw and said it had taken action against Grobler. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tania Broughton at GroundUp Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Home Affairs has reduced the permit application backlog by 30% since April BusinessLive reports that Department of Home Affairs (DHA) Minister Leon Schreiber is committed to making his department “a powerful engine of economic growth”, and has taken urgent action to reduce the backlog of permit applications. On Monday, he stressed the importance of clearing the backlog to unlock scarce skills and grow tourism to create jobs. A dedicated team was set up in April to reduce the backlog, resulting in significant progress, with the backlog of 306,042 applications having been reduced by 92,886, namely a reduction of 30%. Auditing firm Deloitte, as well as First National Bank, will provide additional resources for the visa backlog team. Schreiber indicated in his budget vote speech in the National Assembly: “I have asked to be provided with daily reports on the state of the backlog until it is eradicated. Clearing this backlog is the only way to avoid another extension of the concession on visas, waivers and appeals that has already been granted three times. This is an abnormal situation, and we must get this problem under control so that extensions are no longer necessary.” Long queues outside DHA offices and system downtime will also be addressed. “Alongside steps that have already been taken, such as the streamlining of required documents and the introduction of the trusted employer scheme, we will do much more. This includes finalisation of the points-based system for work visas, rolling out the remote working and start-up visas, updating the critical skills list more regularly, and making it easier for more tourists to visit our beautiful country and spend their valuable foreign currency right here in SA,” Schreiber promised. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Linda Ensor at BusinessLive Minister to clamp down on undocumented workers, with inspection at workplaces set to increase SowetanLIVE reports that newly appointed Department of Home Affairs (DHA) Minister Leon Schreiber says he will increase inspections at restaurants, spaza shops, farms and mines to heighten the crackdown on undocumented workers in these industries. According to Schreiber, while SA welcomed those who contributed to the country legally through skills, investments and as tourists, it needed to do more to combat illegal immigration. "We must do so both because it is central to our national security but also out of our commitment to economic growth. The reality is that no one will want to visit or invest if we allow our country to lose control over its borders and internal security," he said during his budget speech vote on Monday. Schreiber indicated that he planned to increase the number of inspections by 50% in the coming year. He noted that inspections would be effective when done in collaboration with other departments and went on to advise: "I will be reaching out to colleagues in the relevant departments to conduct joint operations, to maximise our ability to hold everyone involved in illegal activities to account." Over two months ago, a building collapsed in George, Western Cape. The majority of those who died at the construction site were foreign workers, some of whom were undocumented and paid below the legal minimum wage. Some were reportedly earning R85 to R150 a day. NUM spokesperson Livhuwani Mammburu said illegal miners had caused chaos in the mining industry and added: "The NUM does not support undocumented foreigners and we have legal immigrants who are our members. We support the minister of home affairs in dealing with illegal immigrants in the mines because that causes instability. Most of the illegal immigrants work as illegal miners.” Aggrey Mahanjana of the African Farmers’ Association of SA said the eradication of undocumented migrants should be extended across the board. But, Grace Harding of The Restaurant Collective said the inspections should be done in a respectable manner that did not scare patrons away. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jeanette Chabalala at SowetanLIVE Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Automobile Association expects only minor relief, if any, at the petrol pumps in August TimesLIVE reports that after two consecutive months of substantial fuel price decreases, the tide appears to be turning and motorists can expect only minor relief in petrol prices and slight increases to diesel and paraffin prices in August. According to the Automobile Association (AA), current unaudited data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) indicated these trends at mid-month. These trends are, however, likely to change as the month progresses. The numbers are showing 95ULP down by about 7c/litre, 93ULP down by about 4c/l, and the wholesale price of diesel down by about 1c/l. Illuminating paraffin is set for an increase of about 6c/l. “It’s important to remember that this is mid-month data and that the price outlook may still change drastically over the next two weeks before the official August adjustment is made, especially since the data is edging so close to revealing a different trajectory,” said the AA. Despite the forecast decreases in petrol prices, fuel prices in SA remained high and previous significant increases would still affect the economy in the coming months, the organisation added. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at TimesLIVE
Parks Tau seeks tougher compliance with BBBEE legislation BL Premium reports that trade, industry & competition minister Parks Tau has called for tougher compliance of broad-based BEE legislation by private sector firms as he seeks to drive empowerment and transformation by his department. Though conceding that the legislation had not achieved its intended aim of economic redress, Tau said the department and the BBBEE commission would work together to “encourage” firms to comply with the empowerment legislation. He said on Tuesday during the tabling of his department’s budget vote in the National Assembly: “In the short term, the department and commission will engage organised business, labour and other stakeholders to encourage firms to comply.” In addition, his department will combine monitoring resources to strengthen the BBBEE commission’s capacity to monitor compliance and emerging trends. The commission’s ability to enforce compliance is limited as it can only make recommendations to a court of law and cannot directly issue fines as can the Competition Commission for findings of bad practice. Two decades after SA’s BEE legislation was enacted in 2003, the commission estimates black people own about 30% of the economy with black women owning 14%. But empowerment numbers tend to be contested, with a variety of different metrics and targets used in the public and private sectors to measure it. The legislation had not fully achieved its intended outcomes of fostering an inclusive economy, Tau said. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Thando Maeko at BusinessLive (subscriber access only) ‘Abandon illegal race rules for medical sector’, Solidarity warns SAHPRA Maroela Media reports that Solidarity has warned the SA Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) that it will take legal action if that authority does not abandon the strict intended racial requirements in its proposed policy documents on black economic empowerment (BEE). According to the trade union, if the policy were to be applied, it would be both illegal and irrational as well as harmful to the entire industry in the country and to South Africans as a whole. According to Peirru Marx, network coordinator of Solidarity's medical networks, SAHPRA's BEE policy runs counter to everything that can be considered international best business practice. He said: “Instead of merely ensuring medical products meet regulatory requirements, SAHPRA instead bows to race laws. Actually, one could say that SAHPRA would prefer to see the country dead rather than white. Based on this, SAHPRA is prepared to deprive people of medication for the sake of black empowerment. It is not in the interest of the communities it must serve to establish requirements that smaller businesses in the industry cannot meet. Foreign firms are also excluded by this.” Marx added: “People may even die due to the shortage of certain medical products, while treatment would otherwise have been available without such a discriminatory policy.” Solidarity has requested SAHPRA to provide notification within ten days that it will abandon its BEE policy. Read the full original of the Afrikaans report in the above regard by Elisma van der Watt at Maroela Media
IT companies increasingly favour employing persons with skills rather than those with qualifications and no skills The Citizen reports that 15 July was World Youth Skills Day, as declared by the UN General Assembly to celebrate the importance of equipping young people with skills for employment and entrepreneurship. The day also aimed to address sustainability and development issues affecting young people around the world. Michelle Dobson, head of brand at Pnet, says the global information technology (IT) sector is grappling as demand for IT professionals grows. “The rapid pace of technological advancement means that the skills required are constantly evolving,” she pointed out. Dobson added that SA was experiencing a similar shortage of skilled IT professionals, so addressing this issue at the lowest level was vital for the country’s economic development and for its ability to compete in the global market. According to Dobson, more SA companies are now likely to employ a person with skills rather than someone with a qualification, but no skills. Such companies are most likely to be technology firms. The sector requires innovation and adaptability, therefore most technology companies opt for candidates who have relevant, up-to-date skills over those with traditional qualifications, Dobson notes. “Emphasising skills allows employers to tap into a larger pool of talent, including self-taught individuals, career-changers, and those from underrepresented groups who may not have followed traditional educational pathways, such as self-study, online courses, or practical experience,” she commented. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tshehla Cornelius Koteli at The Citizen
Solidarity demands that GEPF chair must go following allegations of VBS bribes Solidarity issued a press statement on Tuesday advising that it will address official correspondence to the Minister of Finance requesting that Dondo Mogajane be immediately relieved of his duties as chairperson of the board of the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF). According to allegations contained in an affidavit made by the sentenced chairperson of VBS Mutual Bank, Tshifhiwa Matodzi, R1 million was allegedly paid to Mogajane so that he would use his influence to convince municipalities not to stop investing in VBS Mutual Bank. “In light of the large-scale corruption and looting at VBS Solidarity has reason to be concerned about Mogajane’s suitability to now serve as the GEPF chairperson,” the trade union pointed out. According to Renate Pieterse, network coordinator for the public industry at Solidarity, Solidarity will have to consider legal options if Minister Enoch Godongwana does not accede to its request. “The very same Godongwana was the one who originally nominated Mogajane – the former Director-General of the Treasury – to the GEPF board. The GEPF is one of the 30 largest pension funds in the world, and it is worrying and unacceptable that its chairperson is implicated in such serious allegations of financial irregularities,” Pieterse noted. She added that Solidarity would make its appeal to the Minister of Finance based on its responsibility towards the trade union’s GEPF members, as well as towards public service pensioners in general. Should urgent steps not be taken to remove Mogajane from his position, Solidarity said it would have to resort to further action. Read Solidarity’s full press statement in the above regard at SA Labour News A ‘two-pot’ withdrawal may push pension fund members into a new tax bracket – and other dangers SmartAboutMoney writes that one of the objectives of the new two-pot retirement system is to allow members of a pension or provident fund to access a portion of their retirement savings in times of financial distress without resigning from their jobs. While providing this access presents a short-term cash-flow solution, members need to understand the tax implications, as well as the long-term impact of such withdrawals on their savings at retirement and the income those savings would provide. Withdrawals from the savings component within a member’s retirement fund will be added to taxable income and taxed at that person’s marginal tax rate. Being taxed at the tax bracket rates is very different from how cash lump sums are taxed at retirement and the implications should be considered before any withdrawals are made. A table in the full SmartAboutMoney reports shows the tax payable with and without the withdrawal and it is considerable. Members also need to consider the opportunity cost of withdrawing funds from their retirement savings, and the younger they are, the greater the loss of potential market returns on the amount withdrawn. Before making withdrawals from retirement funds, members are encouraged to seek the help of a financial planner or financial coach to work through monthly cash flows and possibly develop a new budget or debt management plan. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lana Visser at Fin24 Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Emfuleni CFO fends off defamation suit for calling ANC-linked supply chain manager corrupt BL Premium reports that Emfuleni Municipality’s CFO, Phillip Dyakala, has succeeded in fending off a defamation lawsuit by a supply chain manager after accusing him in a WhatsApp group conversation of having “normalised corruption”. Dyakala said the supply manager, Jason Mkhwane, a former regional secretary for the ANC, had tried to “bully him” into choosing service providers allegedly favoured by his party. Mkhwane filed a lawsuit against Dyakala for making defamatory statements linking him to corruption. But, the Johannesburg High Court has ruled that, despite being defamatory on the surface, Dyakala's accusations were justified because they were “substantially true” and in “the public interest”. Judge Stuart Wilson this week indicated: “I find that the allegation that Mr Mkhwane was ‘normalising corruption’, and the implication that he was personally corrupt, to be substantially true on the proven facts.” He stressed, however, that his findings were not criminal but only a conclusion within the context of defamation law. The judgment is said to provide much needed protection and clarification for those who make public claims of state capture and corruption. Wilson noted that “Emfuleni’s procurement structures were in a parlous state” and that “Mkhwane had been identified with those irregularities and suspended for his role in perpetuating them”. It was against that background, known to everyone in the WhatsApp group, that Dyakala’s defamatory statements were made. The court also found the allegations were “in the public interest”, because it was a CFO calling out “[alleged] corruption in his own department”, which affected the general public. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tauriq Moosa at BusinessLive (subscriber access only) Other internet posting(s) in this news category
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