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 Thursday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South
African labour-related reports.
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Treasury warns municipal managers to pay over outstanding pension fund contributions by June 2025 or face criminal charges IOL News reports that municipal managers in charge of municipalities that owe pension funds outstanding contributions could face criminal charges should they continue failing to comply with their statutory obligations. The National Treasury has issued a stern warning to municipal bosses – including some of the country’s biggest municipalities – that they might be guilty of financial misconduct. In the document dated 6 December 2024, Jan Hattingh, Treasury’s chief director responsible for local government budget analysis, noted: “It has been observed that municipalities have defaulted on their responsibility to ensure that third party payment obligations are met, despite deductions being made from employees’ salaries.” He pointed out that the failure to pay over the deductions put several municipal employees in a very unfortunate situation where they have no funds in their pension fund accounts despite salary deductions having been made. Hattingh urged municipalities to ensure that measures were in place so that contributions were paid over to the pension funds. Hattingh advised municipalities with outstanding pension fund contributions to ensure that any outstanding payments were paid over at the latest by the end of the 2024/25 financial year (i.e. June 2025). Municipalities that failed to do so would face punitive measures being implemented against them. According to Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, as of the end of March last year, municipalities’ arrear contributions stood at R1.4bn. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Loyiso Sidimba at IOL News
IDC steps in to seek solutions to prevent mass job losses at ArcelorMittal SA Business Report writes that the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) on Tuesday said it was stepping in to facilitate discussions aimed at preventing a significant downturn in the local steel industry. This as ArcelorMittal SA (Amsa) prepares to halt its long-steel operations at the Newcastle and Vereeniging plants, potentially affecting over 3,500 employees. The IDC, which has a 6% stake in Amsa, last year endowed the struggling steel manufacturer with R1 billion to forestall the closure of the Newcastle plant. It expressed deep concern over the proposed mothballing of production facilities, particularly the Amras unit, stating that it was committed to exploring all viable options to avert mass retrenchments. Tshepo Ramodibe, IDC head for corporate affairs, said they were aware of the ongoing challenges within the global and domestic steel industries that have influenced Amsa’s position and operations. The IDC said it was actively engaging all relevant stakeholders to explore potential solutions. A source close to the discussions revealed that a working group comprising the Presidency, the Department of Trade Industry and Competition (DTIC), Amsa, the IDC and other stakeholders, was working around the clock to hold off the shuttering of the plants and subsequent job losses. “I do not think we are there yet. Amsa has made a public statement of its intentions to shut down the plants but all the parties are working to mitigate that. There won’t be immediate closure, there is no finality to this yet,” the source indicated. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Banele Ginindza at Business Report. Read too, DTIC intervention ‘insufficient’ to halt plant closure, at Cape Times Great anguish in Newcastle and Vereeniging over looming Amsa plant closures BL Premium reports that businesses in the towns of Newcastle and Vereeniging are reeling over the imminent closure of ArcelorMittal SA’s (Amsa’s) plants in the two towns. The move is set to devastate the local economies and hurt municipal revenues. On Monday, Amsa, which is SA’s largest steel producer, shocked its employees by announcing that its production at the Newcastle Works was expected to come to a halt at the end of this month, with the wind-down of the remaining production processes set to be completed in the first quarter of the year. Morne Seaman of the Newcastle Sakekamer reacted by saying: “The most significant impact would primarily affect logistics companies, engineering businesses and downstream companies that rely on the byproducts for manufacturing their products.” Seaman went on to lament: “Unfortunately, Newcastle lacks large towns or cities nearby where residents could commute for work. Consequently, families may be forced to leave the area in search of better opportunities. This migration will likely trigger a ripple effect, impacting property prices, retail businesses, and the broader local economy. The closure of Amsa Newcastle will have a profound impact on both livelihoods and businesses in Newcastle and the surrounding areas.” In the Vaal, the Vereeniging Works has been in operation for more than a century, with local businesses very concerned over the closure of the plant. Jaco Verwey of the Golden Triangle Chamber of Commerce said the move would devastate the Vaal’s economy. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jacob Webster & Kabelo Khumalo at BusinessLive (subscriber access only). Read too, Newcastle reels as ArcelorMittal SA’s steel factory closure looms, at Mail & Guardian. And also, ArcelorMittal job cuts raise concerns over South Africa’s, Newcastle’s economic stability, at Business Report
Police unions call for mental health support amid incidents of intimate partner killings News24 reports that highlighting the stigma associated with mental health challenges faced by law enforcement, the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) and the SA Policing Union (SAPU) and have expressed concern over the alarming trend of officers involved in domestic violence and intimate partner killings. Popcru called for immediate action to address the crisis and prevent further tragedies, while SAPU echoed the sentiment and vowed not to be silent when its members have taken the life of another human being. On 26 December, a police officer, Sergeant Mandlenkosi Buthelezi, allegedly used his state-issued firearm to kill his girlfriend Chesnay Keppler in Eldorado Park. Keppler was a Gauteng crime prevention warden herself. On 21 December, a Hawks warrant officer allegedly killed his wife in Kayamandi, Stellenbosch. Popcru spokesperson Richard Mamabolo pointed out that officers were exposed daily to high levels of stress, trauma, and dangerous working conditions. "The emotional toll of these pressures, coupled with the stigma surrounding mental health issues, has led to devastating consequences. It is unacceptable that people tasked with ensuring the safety and well-being of others often find themselves struggling in silence, unable to access the help and support they need," Mamabolo said. Popcru also expressed concern about officers committing suicide. The SA Police Service has employed psycho-social professionals to assist officers and their immediate families who require counselling services. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ntwaagae Seleka at News24 Pietermaritzburg police officers recover in hospital after having been knocked down by a car The Witness reports that two public order policing (POP) officers required medical treatment after a man, believed to have been in attendance at the Last Dance festival on New Year’s eve, allegedly drove into them on Old Howick Road in Pietermaritzburg. The 35-year-old suspect allegedly failed to stop his vehicle when making a U-turn, which resulted in the two police officers, who were reportedly outside their vehicle at the time, getting knocked down. The suspect was arrested immediately and appeared in court the following day. “The suspect was speeding and was on his way back home from the Umeda Showgrounds where a music event was happening,” a source said. “Thankfully, they (the officers) received treatment at St Anne’s Hospital and are doing fine now,” another source added. Provincial SA Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed that the incident took place on New Year’s Day. He said that the man had appeared before the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court on charges of reckless, negligent and drunken driving and the matter had been remanded to 13 February. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Prashalan Govender at The Witness
Coal mining industry accounts for 5% of Mpumalanga’s jobs, study finds BL Premium reports that the coal mining industry is a core employer in Mpumalanga, accounting for about 5% of the province’s total employment, excluding indirect employment induced by the industry. This is according to research conducted by the University of Cape Town, measuring individual and household coal economy dependence. It found that SA’s coal mining landscape was characterised by regional concentration, with Mpumalanga accounting for about 80% of national production. “The industry accounts for about 5% of total employment in the province, while accounting for 19% of employment in eMalahleni, 15% in Msukaligwa, 14% in Steve Tshwete, 3.5% in Govan Mbeki, 9.4% in Mkhondo, 5% in Albert Luthuli, and 7% in Victor Khanye,” the study revealed. The figures do not account for indirect employment through coal, such as retail and financial services. Mpumalanga is the hub of SA’s coal mining industry. Of SA’s 78 operating coal mines, 65 are in the province. The study conducted by Haroon Bhorat, Tsungai Kupeta, Lisa Martin and François Steenkamp indicated that about 106,887 direct and indirect jobs were linked to the coal value chain, and that while the world was transitioning away from coal the coal mining industry and the broader coal value chain remained important in SA and would need “careful consideration when transitioning”. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Kabelo Khumalo at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
Twenty-two arrested as labour department continues restaurant, retail blitz in Cape Town News24 reports that according to the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL), 22 persons were arrested for alleged noncompliance with labour and immigration laws following a raid at China Town in Ottery, Cape Town, on Wednesday. The blitz operation was a continuation of the DEL’s raids last year in the hospitality, wholesale and retail sectors to ensure compliance with health and safety standards and national minimum wage regulations. The raids also focused on compliance with Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) contributions, the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act and Unemployment Insurance Contributions Act. Department of Home Affairs and Liquor Boards officials were also present during the blitz operations. DEL’s ministerial spokesperson Thobeka Magcai said that the arrests had been in relation to undocumented foreign nationals and the employment of undocumented foreign nationals. Three of the arrestees were employers, and 19 were workers. In a post on X, DEL Minister Meth reported that during the raid in Ottery, at least one staff member had allegedly hidden in the toilets, with officials also finding expired food, alcohol and drinks dating back to 2023. "I see you have a lot of expired food on your shelves. You are just killing our people. Who do you sell this food to? [...] I do not want to call authorities that will end up arresting him," Meth is seen telling a shop owner in a video. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Na'ilah Ebrahim at Fin24
Parent company of fibre operators Vumatel and Dark Fibre Africa poaches executive from Openserve Moneyweb reports that Maziv, the parent company of fibre operators Vumatel and Dark Fibre Africa (DFA), has appointed Phila Dube as its new group chief commercial officer. Dube’s appointment comes as Maziv and Vodacom prepare to appeal a Competition Tribunal decision blocking Vodacom’s co-controlling stake in the company. This followed the Competition Commission’s earlier approval of Vodacom and Remgro’s joint acquisition of a majority stake in Maziv. According to the group, Dube, who brings 26 years of experience from Telkom where he served as chief commercial officer at Openserve, is set to play a pivotal role in steering Maziv’s commercial strategies amid intensified competition in the fibre market. Dube’s career highlights include groundbreaking initiatives such as a significant managed dark fibre agreement and doubling Openserve’s fibre broadband subscriber base. His expertise spans commercial strategy, business innovation, and product development. At Maziv, Dube’s focus will be on aligning the company’s offerings with customer needs. “My priority is on deeply understanding our enterprise, carrier, and mass-market customers, and identifying ways to help them succeed in their strategic goals,” he said. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Moneyweb Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Growing calls for stringent vetting of persons working with learners SABC News reports that there are growing calls for the stringent vetting of persons who come into contact with learners. The safety of learners remains a concern for anti-gender-based violence organisation, Second Chance, as schools prepare to reopen next week. Crime statistics for the second quarter of the 2024-2025 financial show that at least 106 rapes occurred at educational institutions countrywide. These include creches, schools and institutions of higher learning. Boitumelo Thage, the founder of Second Chance commented: “The statistic about teenage pregnancy speak to the fact that these girls are not having sex, they are being raped. So, this speaks to a pandemic whether these are girls going to school to learn or are they safe at school. Hence, we are trying to create a safe space and teaching young girls and boys to speak out about what they are faced with at home and at schools.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Thabiso Radebe at SABC News
Some 1,800 jobless doctors in limbo as a public healthcare crisis looms City Press reports that the SA Medical Association (SAMA) has sounded an alarm about the crisis of jobless doctors, with 1,800 of them in limbo after having completing their community service nationwide. SAMA said it had been informed that the number of intern posts at Groote Schuur Hospital had decreased dramatically over the past few years, from 120 in 2022 to a shocking 34 in 2025. According to the association, this was a stark reminder of the devastating impact of the funding crisis on junior doctors and the healthcare system. SAMA spokesperson Zimkhita Mafanya said: “SAMA finds it unacceptable that our country cannot provide employment opportunities for these dedicated and highly skilled professionals, and more so for services that are critically needed by our communities. The consequences of this situation are far-reaching and have significant implications for the delivery of healthcare services.” She pointed out that the failure to appoint junior doctors affected not only the doctors themselves, but also had a ripple effect on the entire healthcare system. To understand the scope of the crisis better, SAMA has launched a nationwide survey to gather data on the allocation and filling of vacancies in hospitals nationwide. Mafanya said the survey would provide valuable insights into the number of posts allocated and filled in each hospital, allowing the organisation to understand better the extent of the crisis and its impact on healthcare service delivery. She urged all healthcare professionals and hospitals to participate in this survey and provide accurate information on the allocation and filling of vacancies. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sipho Mabena at City Press (subscription / trial registration required)
Senior KZN public works official dismissed for gross negligence that cost the department R1.1bn News24 reports that a senior official at the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Public Works and Infrastructure has been dismissed following gross negligence that cost the department a whopping R1.1 billion. The Public Works and Infrastructure MEC Martin Meyer confirmed the dismissal of the supply chain management director, Musa William Zondi. He said the R1.1-billion loss amounted to 60% of the department's annual budget. In early September last year, several discrepancies were flagged against Zondi regarding the procurement of a certain consulting company. "Once concluded, the investigations found that one single firm was awarded a total of 29 contracts to the value of R1,164,440,398 or just over R1.1 billion. This meant that the firm held an unfair and unchecked monopoly over contracts issued by KZN Public Works and Infrastructure," said Meyer. Zondi was also found guilty on a further charge of failing to implement the department's cellphone policy and keeping a database of official mobile devices issued. This resulted in 57 active cellphone contracts still being paid for by the department in respect of cellphones that had been issued to employees who had left the department. Zondi was also found guilty of issuing himself four official work phones and other charges. Meyer said he was pleased that the disciplinary process had taken a mere two months, meaning finality was reached much sooner than expected. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sakhiseni Nxumalo at News24 (subscription / trial registration required). Read too, Senior KZN Public Works and Infrastructure official dismissed after probe into gross misconduct, at The Mercury
Warden caught smuggling drugs into Pietermaritzburg New Prison The Witness reports that a Pietermaritzburg prison warden was arrested after being caught red-handed smuggling illegal items into New Prison on New Year’s Day. According to Sergeant Sifiso Gwala, spokesperson for uMgungundlovu District police, the warden was apprehended during a planned sting operation based on intelligence about her activities. She was caught during a search at the prison gate. Among the items she was attempting to smuggle were whoonga, dagga, a cellphone and a charger. Thulani Mdluli, spokesperson for the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Correctional Services, confirmed the warden’s arrest. The department has since suspended her pending a full investigation into the matter. A case has been opened at the Prestbury Police Station and is under investigation. The warden is expected to appear in court as investigations continue. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Zama Myeza at The Witness
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