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 recent South
African labour-related reports.
|
Tshwane approves Rosslyn automotive hub plan set to create 150,000 direct and indirect jobs The Star reports that the City of Tshwane's council has approved the Tshwane Automotive City Master Plan, paving the way for a massive development project in the Rosslyn area with the potential of creating at least 150,000 jobs in the future. Member of the Mayoral Committee for Economic Development and Spatial Planning, Sarah Mabotsa, said the plan envisioned a 7,157-hectare automotive manufacturing hub that would be globally competitive. “Our studies estimate that the total development will create around 150,000 direct and indirect jobs for the residents of Tshwane over the lifespan of this development,” she indicated. The Rosslyn precinct already boasts a significant automotive presence, serving as the home base for four major automotive assemblers, namely BMW, Nissan, Tata, and Iveco. “The purpose and vision of the master plan are to transform this already important precinct into Africa’s largest automotive industrial park. This strategic infrastructure project will be implemented in phases over an estimated 40 to 50-year period of development. Investment from both the public and private sectors is required to fully implement the project,” Mabotsashe said. She explained that the master plan had been collaboratively developed by the Automotive Industry Development Centre in conjunction with key stakeholders, including the City of Tshwane, the Gauteng Provincial Government, the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency, and other partners. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Rapula Moatshe at The Star. Read too, Tshwane plan for huge auto assembly precinct could deliver 150,000 jobs, at BusinessLive eThekwini metro’s R588 million investment in infrastructure to boost job creation The Mercury reports that the eThekwini Metyro is planning to invest in building infrastructure in underdeveloped areas in order to attract investments. Mayor Cyril Xaba revealed this on Monday as he tabled the city’s draft budget for the 2025-2026 financial year. Speaking on matters of economic development and job creation, he said the increased investment in infrastructure would help build a positive investor climate in the city. “Therefore, we are going to use the Neighborhood Development Partnership Grant to create economic infrastructure in undeveloped areas that attracts private sector investment. We are also placing a strong emphasis on strategic township development, town centre renewals, industrial renewals, and upgrading of tourism nodes and corridors,” he indicated. The mayor stated that R588 million would be spent on catalytic projects over the 2025/2026 period. He also advised that that the 2025/26 budget would fund several job-creation projects with a focus on youth development (projects listed in The Mercury article). “It is through these initiatives that eThekwini continues to be the leading metro in the country on job creation, according to the Stats SA Quarterly Labour Force Survey for the fourth quarter in 2024. From Q3 to Q4 in 2024, the number of jobs increased by 69,000 new jobs, and from 2023 to 2024, the number of new jobs increased by 102,000. The latest Business Confidence Index report also indicates business confidence in the city has improved significantly to above 60%,” Xaba pointed out. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Thami Magubane at The Mercury
Solidarity cautiously optimistic following temporary Amsa bailout Maroela Media reports that Solidarity has welcomed the announcement that ArcelorMittal SA (Amsa) has deferred the planned closure of its long steel plants in Newcastle and Vereeniging. The trade union said this could be regarded as a positive step averting the immediate threat of job losses for thousands of employees for the time being. The decision to defer the closures from April to the end of August 2025, was made possible by a government’s loan of approximately R1,7 billion. As a result, the retrenchment process that would have directly affected 3 500 jobs, has also been halted. According to Willie Venter, Solidarity’s deputy general secretary for the metal and engineering industry, this development brings welcome respite to employees and their families, but still falls far short of offering a real solution. “Of course, we are most grateful that such an intervention happened, even though it required tremendous pressure from trade unions in particular for these steps to materialise. We are very grateful that our members and the employees affected by the planned closure and retrenchments will now have temporary job security,” Venter said. Solidarity, however, emphasised that the postponement was valid for six months only and stressed that this period should be used to obtain better solutions. Venter pointed out that the broader underlying challenges afflicting the steel industry now had to be be addressed with much greater urgency than in the past. Read the full original of the Afrikaans report in the above regard at Maroela Media Amsa says IDC looking at increased shareholding after providing R1.7bn lifeline to keep long steel plants open Bloomberg reports that according to Kobus Verster, CEO of ArcelorMittal SA (Amsa), the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) is considering increasing its stake in the steel producer as it works to preserve local output. He told reporters on Tuesday that the IDC “has indicated that they have a desire to look at an increased shareholding and a due-diligence period has been agreed. They want to look a bit under the bonnet.” The company and the IDC, which owns 8.2% of the steel producer have negotiated for more than a year over the company’s plans to close its two mills that make long steel products such as bars and beams. Amsa on Monday said it would delay the planned closure of the mills in the towns of Newcastle and Vereeniging by six months after getting a R1.68 billion IDC loan to keep them afloat. The company will repay the loan with profits from the two stricken mills, Verster said. He added that he expected the government to address structural issues that were cutting Amsa’s profit. Verster declined to say whether the IDC planned to take control of Amsa, which is almost 70% held by ArcelorMittal, or assess whether it would seek other buyers for its assets or the company. SA is reviewing tariffs on steel imports and may raise them. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Antony Sguazzin at Moneyweb. Read too, IDC mulls increased stake in AMSA after providing R1.7bn lifeline, at Fin24 (subscription or trial registration required)
Ekurhuleni in ongoing talks with metro police officials who blocked highways over overtime pay cuts BL Premium reports that the Ekurhuleni metro says discussions with disgruntled Ekurhuleni metro police department (EMPD) officials who embarked on an illegal wage protest last month continue. “On Monday, we had a follow-up meeting to give feedback from the city’s point of view, regarding the issues raised. The discussions are ongoing,” Ekurhuleni finance MMC Jongizizwe Dlabathi indicated on Tuesday. On 19 March, disgruntled EMPD officials used the department’s official vehicles to blockade crucial highways. The EMPD protest came two weeks after the SA Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) expressed displeasure over Ekurhuleni’s decision to cut overtime pay for its 16,000-strong workforce by 50%. The metro said this was part of its revenue enhancement strategy, with Dlabathi criticising the “culture of overtime” in the municipality. “In quarter one, roughly R216m was spent on overtime… Projections for the entire year are that we would have spent about R1bn,” Dlabathi said at the time. On Tuesday, Dlabathi indicated: “We have presented what could be possible options. It’s only fair that we allow further engagements to take place at the local labour forum, and we shall take it from there.” He would not be drawn on what options were on the table, saying only: “Some of the proposals are not financial in nature, they pertain to operational arrangements.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
Labour Court judge candidate grilled by JSC about R17m theft at her firm TimesLIVE Premium reports that a candidate for appointment as judge to the Labour Court (LC), attorney Dawn Norton, was grilled by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) about how her law firm had handled things when, in 2014, one of her fellow directors had stolen about R17m from the firm’s trust account. Though she had disclosed the theft in her JSC questionnaire, Norton was closely questioned about why the firm, Mkhabela Huntley Attorneys, had not reported the theft to the Law Society for about three years after it happened, as required by law. In her interview Norton said the reporting delay was “an error of judgment. But we delayed because the aberrant director was trying to recover the funds and the client who had been prejudiced was prepared to give him that leeway,” she said. But her answer led to further questions. Norton was also grilled by commissioner Julius Malema about how her firm’s directors had obtained a Fidelity Fund certificate while the trust account was in deficit. “The books were not properly recorded and there was misrepresentation throughout. That’s why [you] got a Fidelity Fund certificate even where there was a deficit. Am I right?” said Malema. “Ja,” she replied. After a day of interviews, the JSC announced its recommendations and Norton did not get the nod. The LC had three vacancies but the JSC filled only one. Labour law specialist attorney Tapiwa Gandidze was recommended for appointment. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Franny Rabkin at TimesLIVE Premium (subscriber access only) Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Big drop in petrol and diesel prices from Wednesday The Citizen reports that motorists will be paying less for petrol and diesel at the pumps from Wednesday. The petrol price decrease will be a relief for cash-strapped motorists and consumers after the 12.75% electricity price hike on Tuesday. The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) announced that the price of 93-octane petrol will decrease by 58 cents per litre, while 95-octane petrol will cost 72 cents per litre less. The price of diesel (0.05% sulphur) will decrease by 83.8 cents per litre, while diesel with 0.005% sulphur will go down by 85.8 cents per litre. Illuminating paraffin will cost 81.7 cents less per litre, while the price of LP gas will decrease by 79 cents per kilogramme. When the fuel price increase kicks in, a litre of 93 unleaded petrol will cost R21.51 per litre, while 95 unleaded will be R21.62. The wholesale price of 0.05% diesel will be R19.35 per litre, and 0.005% will cost R19.32. DMRE spokesperson Robert Maake said several factors, including the international petroleum product prices and the rand/US dollar exchange rate, contributed to the decrease in petrol and diesel prices. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Faizel Patel at The Citizen. Lees ook, Verligting by vulstasies vir motorist, by Maroela Media
Jobs-for-pals scandal rocks Mangaung Municipality The Star reports that a whistleblower has exposed a report revealing a series of irregular appointments and a jobs-for-pals syndicate at the Mangaung Municipality in the Free State. The report, which surfaced on Tuesday, accuses several high-ranking officials of bypassing standard recruitment procedures and making appointments based on favouritism rather than merit. The report has been shared with the Cogta Minister, the Public Protector, the Free State Premier and President Cyril Ramaphosa. The most significant revelations relate to the Public Safety Directorate, where between December 2023 and January 2024, four individuals were hired without proper advertisements or interviews. According to the report, all were handpicked by the leadership. The appointments violated municipal hiring protocols that require transparency and fairness. No public advertisements were posted, and no interviews were held, raising serious concerns about the integrity of the process. Even more alarming are the allegations regarding the City Manager’s office where appointments, similar to those in Public Safety, bypassed the normal recruitment process in blatant disregard for municipal policy. The whistleblower’s revelations are said to have exposed a deep-seated culture of corruption within the Mangaung Municipality, where nepotism, favoritism, and improper appointments have undermined the integrity of the local government. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Pule Makgale at The Star
SA Medical Association launches most comprehensive constitutional challenge yet to NHI Act The Citizen reports that the SA Medical Association (SAMA) has launched the most comprehensive constitutional challenge yet to the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme, claiming it is dangerously flawed, with concerns cited over the NHI’s impact on doctors, patients and the healthcare system. SAMA chairperson Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa pointed out on Tuesday that other legal efforts focused significantly on Section 33 of the NHI Act, which would prohibit medical schemes from providing coverage once the NHI was “fully implemented,” or on the interests of private sector providers. “SAMA’s case extends far beyond this. SAMA is challenging multiple provisions that will severely prejudice both doctors and their patients, raising fundamental concerns about access to care, administrative barriers, financial feasibility, the impact on the public health sector and the long-term sustainability of the NHI South Africa’s healthcare system,” he indicated. Mzukwa added that SAMA’s legal action was driven by the real-world implications of the NHI Act, particularly the bureaucratic and structural failures it would introduce. The key issues that will be contested are detailed in The Citizen article. Mzukwa emphasised that SAMA was not opposed to the goal of universal health coverage and believed in equitable, high-quality healthcare for all South Africans. However, he said, the NHI Act risked collapsing the healthcare system rather than strengthening it. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ina Opperman at The Citizen. Read too, NHI is dangerously flawed, doctors say, at BusinessLive (subscriber access only). And also, 'Most comprehensive constitutional challenge': SA Medical Association take steps to curb NHI Act, at News24
Sassa officials deny involvement in R260 million card fraud scheme as bail hearings continue IOL News reports that the bail hearing of 11 suspects, including nine SA Social Security Agency (Sassa) officials, charged in connection with a R260 million Sassa card fraud scheme was on Tuesday postponed following the reading of the bail applications of seven of the accused. More suspects are set to continue their bail pleas when the case resumes on Wednesday in the Lenasia Magistrate's Court. The charges against the 11 accused include over 1,300 counts of theft, fraud, and cybercrime. In their separate bail applications, the first seven employees denied having participated in the elaborate R260 million Sassa fraud scheme. They also indicated that they wished to plead not guilty to the multiple charges levelled against them. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Siyabonga Sithole at IOL News Nine Sassa employees allege pressure from senior staff member who visited them in jail to sign forms News24 reports that nine SA Social Security Agency (Sassa) employees accused of being part of a syndicate that allegedly stole funds and defrauded the government entity have complained about a senior Sassa investigator visiting them in jail, claiming harassment. Through their lawyers, they claimed the investigator was forcing them to sign certain documents. One of the defence lawyers, Glen Masindi, asked in court: "Is the State aware that there are complaints with our clients? There is an investigator from Sassa who visited our clients with some documents to sign. The person who visited them heads the internal fraud department at Sassa." The magistrate questioned whether the issue had been discussed with the state prosecutor. Prosecutor Tumelo Maunye said the State was not involved in complaints by the jailed Sassa officials. "That is a relationship between the employees and their employer," Maunye indicated. Representing one of the other accused, Johan Eksteen queried whether the Lenasia Regional Court had jurisdiction to hear the matter. Maunye replied: “The decision to hear the matter in this court was taken by my superiors. This court falls under the Gauteng jurisdiction.” The nine employees, together with an Ethiopian national and the wife of one of the accused, are accused of creating ghost Sassa accounts. It is alleged that funds were deposited into those accounts. The funds were allegedly withdrawn at various supermarkets. The hearing continues. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ntwaagae Seleka at News24 (subscription or trial registration required)
Limpopo teacher who was on the run has been arrested for alleged rape of pupil The Citizen reports that Limpopo Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Thembi Hadebe has welcomed the arrest of a 58-year-old teacher for the alleged rape of a 13-year-old female pupil in Limpopo’s Capricorn District. The teacher was arrested on Monday afternoon in Polokwane following a police manhunt. He is set to appear before the Mankweng Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday on a charge of rape. Preliminary investigations by detectives from the police’s Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit revealed that the girl was allegedly raped several times between November 2024 and March 2025. “The FCS will continue to work closely with the social workers to ensure that the family and victim receive adequate psycho-social support,” said Hadebe. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Molemo Tladi at The Citizen Death threats against Bergview College principal after being identified as a suspect in rape of seven-year-old pupil News24 reports that AfriForum advocate Gerrie Nel says the principal of Bergview College in the Eastern Cape has received death threats after being identified as a suspect in the rape of a seven-year-old - and he blames the way police investigated the little girl's sexual assault. "The police's inability to properly investigate this crime, which was committed in October last year, and the reluctance to provide meaningful and accurate feedback has led to the dissemination of false and defamatory claims being made by the public, but now also state officials and politicians," Nel stated in a 31 March letter to the Matatiele police station commander. He has also taken aim at several high-ranking officials, including Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, for identifying the headmaster as a suspect, despite evidence he was not at the school at the time when the child's mother believes she was raped. In a 1 April letter to the Eastern Cape police commissioner, Nel said the headmaster had "no contact whatsoever with the child on the day the mother alleges the rape took place". Nel stressed his office was not representing the headmaster as defence counsel but advising him about whether he could pursue criminal charges against those who have made false rape accusations against him and threatened him and his family after news of the child's rape case exploded on social media. Outrage has intensified since the girl's mother, herself a survivor of sexual assault, posted on TikTok about how she felt deeply let down by both the police and education department after she reported her daughter's rape. But, Nel contended that contended that there serious questions about whether the rape did take place at the school. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Karyn Maughan at News24 (subscriber access only). Lees ook, Bergview-sage: Nasionale span neem ondersoek oor, by Maroela Media Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Cash-strapped Joburg to increase Metrobus and Rea Vaya fares by 4.6% and 5% respectively The Star reports that the City of Johannesburg will be increasing fares for its transport services – Metrobus and Rea Vaya – as the struggling municipality attempts to balance its books. Metrobus fares will increase by 4.6% while the rapid bus transport (BRT) system Rea Vaya is expected to hike its prices by 5% from 1 July. The municipality will communicate the decision to the local community, using radio broadcasts, publishing a notice in the prescribed manner, and inviting written submissions or representations regarding the city’s declared intention to amend or determine tariffs. According to the City, Metrobus is heavily dependent on the municipality for its continued operations. "The income statement for the past four years (2021-2024) shows that, on average, 91.6% of the operating income is derived from government passenger subsidies. The organisation has faced budget cuts, adversely affecting its performance and passenger expectations," the City noted. Reduced discounts offered to concession card holders have been proposed. To address Metrobus’s challenges, the entity’s board has developed a five-year strategic plan to place the entity on a growth trajectory. The BRT’s 5% increase has been defended as an attempt to achieve the optimum balance between operational sustainability and user affordability. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Loyiso Sidimba at The Star
|
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page