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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Budget cuts crippled SA’s troops in the DRC Financial Mail comments that a condensed version of SA’s latest military misadventure in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is that the troops were outgunned, outmanoeuvred, out of luck, and out of the Congo. Yet, the ignominious withdrawal had nothing to do with the calibre of the SA troops, who had been fighting with one hand, and sometimes both, behind their backs. With no money in the pot to keep the Rooivalks battle-ready, sending troops to make peace in one of the toughest neighbourhoods in Africa without air support was never going to end well. In the early days, when the peacekeepers could count on a single Rooivalk gunship overhead, M23 were the ones doing the melting away. It was not just about gunships, though. With military expeditions to faraway lands, it’s the supply chain that matters most, along with the quality of the supplies. Because there was no money for the new Airbus heavy-lift transport aircraft, the army depended on third-party civilian operators flying Russian-built “vodka burners” to carry everything it needed to and from the DRC. Such long supply lines into hostile lands are said to be a fast track to military disappointment and humiliation. The humiliation, however, will be most keenly felt by SA’s troops as they travel, by road, through M23-backing Rwanda to a staging base in Tanzania. Some will fly home from there, while their equipment returns by sea. Since the navy supply vessel SAS Drakensberg is still out of commission, the vehicles, artillery and impedimenta of battle will come home on a rented ship. Read the full original of the commentary in the above regard by Paul Ash at Financial Mail
‘If I had not fired, my family and I would have died’, WSU residence manager tells court in bail application TimesLIVE Premium reports that suspended Walter Sisulu University (WUS) acting residence manager Manelisi Mampane testified in the Mthatha Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday about the events that led to him opening fire on protesting students, killing third-year student Sisonke Mbolekwa, 24. He said: “I’m sorry for the loss of life and injured people on the day, especially to the families of those people, but if I had not fired on that day, my family and I would have died.” Mampane said he believed he was justified in discharging his firearm on 15 April at the Nelson Mandela Drive campus in Mthatha. Mampane, 54, a teacher by profession, said on that day he was in his bedroom while his wife, Nomanono, was in the kitchen getting their children ready for school. He heard noise outside and his wife told him there were people there to see him. He went to the kitchen and saw “many people, all men, covering their faces”, one carrying a tyre. He said the men shouted: “Here’s this dog, break down the door so we can get inside.” Mampane went on to relate: “Out of shock, I ran to the bedroom, grabbed the gun and returned to the kitchen thinking I could fire a shot upward so they would disperse. When I came back, they were kicking in the door. That’s when I decided to shoot.” Mampane, testifying in his bid to be released on bail, said the firearm had belonged to his late father, and to his knowledge it was licensed. Mampane faces charges of murder, attempted murder, possession of a firearm with intent to commit a crime and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ziyanda Zweni at TimesLIVE Premium (subscriber access only) Two Fidelity employees escape unharmed following attempted CIT robbery in Pietermaritzburg on Wednesday The Witness reports that two Fidelity employees escaped unharmed on Wednesday evening following an attempted cash-in-transit (CIT) robbery in Mkondeni, Pietermaritzburg. The two employees were reportedly travelling back to their base camp with the day’s collections when they were met with multiple gunshots on the N3 just after Hayfields. Back at the base camp, multiple police vehicles were parked outside, with the management team liaising with each other and SA Police Service (SAPS) members. One of the managers said the two employees were able to drive back to the base without being harmed. Read the original of the short report in the above regard at The Witness Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Gauteng launches medical assessment programme for former West Rand mineworkers SABC News reports that the Gauteng Health Department (GDoH) has embarked on a medical assessment programme for persons who previously worked in mines in the West Rand District. The programme is an initiative driven by the department in partnership with the Medical Bureau for Occupational Diseases and other stakeholders. The aim is to trace and assist ex-mine workers who may be eligible for social security benefits and medical care due to work-related illnesses acquired during their time in the mines. Chief Director and ex mine workers outreach project leader in the GDoH, Siyabonga Jikwana, indicated that the assessments started at the Carletonville Hospital. “This is going to be a continous programme. Yes, we started right now with West Rand to run a pilot but it’s not a programme that will be ending this week as we will testing the core that we have. When we finish the 350 that we are testing now we still continue as Gauteng to render the service and we are expanding in all the different districts, in Vaal, in the City of Joburg, Ekurhuleni and in Tshwane district,” Jikwana indicated. Read the original of the short report in the above regard at SABC News
Absa’s unrelenting leadership merry-go-round continues as Sello Moloko quits as chair BL Premium reports that Absa chair Sello Moloko, fresh from spearheading the appointment of the group’s new CEO, Kenny Fihla, is stepping down after just three years in the role. The group said Moloko, who took over as chair in April 2022, has stepped down to focus on his business interests and “community commitments”. Moloko will be replaced by the lender’s former acting CEO René van Wyk in mid-July when he officially steps down. Moloko’s vast business interests include Thesele Group, which is part of a consortium bidding for the lucrative national lottery licence. Van Wyk, who sits on the Absa board, held the role of registrar of banks and head of banking supervision of the SA Reserve Bank until May 2016. Absa, which has more than 55,000 local and foreign shareholders, has been prone to leadership instability for a sustained period, sapping staff morale in the process. The group acknowledged in its 2024 annual report, published last month, that it was experiencing a dip in employee satisfaction. Fihla, who takes over the role in June, becomes the seventh Absa CEO, either on an acting or permanent basis, since 2019 after years of leadership turmoil at the bank. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Kabelo Khumalo at BusinessLive (subscriber access only). Read too, Absa chair Sello Moloko to step down, at TimesLIVE. And also, Absa names former registrar of banks as chair, at News24 (subscription or trial registration required) Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Teachers pay the price for SACE’s administrative chaos Solidarity issued a statement on Wednesday expressing its ‘grave concern’ at the administrative disorder currently prevailing at the SA Council for Educators (SACE), as a result of which the professional registrations of thousands of teachers were at risk. The trade union said that instead of focusing on their core responsibility, namely teaching of learners, teachers were now being forced to report in person to SACE’s offices in Centurion and Johannesburg simply to correct basic documentation errors. According to Johnell Prinsloo, education researcher at the Solidarity Research Institute (SRI), teachers’ careers are being jeopardised by SACE’s internal disorganisation. Certificates have been revoked or invalidated without prior warning or clear communication. In many instances, teachers’ names have been removed from the database, despite their legal registration still being valid. Prinsloo said that although the situation appeared to have been largely resolved as personal information and qualifications have reportedly been updated, the disorder remained a significant source of anxiety and uncertainty for many teachers in Gauteng. “It is unacceptable that SACE, which is supposed to be a professional body, is dealing so recklessly with people’s careers. We have already received numerous complaints from members who could lose their positions or income because their registration status with SACE is suddenly called into question,” said Prinsloo. This situation has led to hundreds of teachers queuing outside SACE’s offices to have their teaching status reinstated. Solidarity warned that it would take further steps should teachers lose their jobs due to unfair actions by SACE and the Department of Education. Lees, Honderde onderwysers skielik gederegistreer, by Maroela Media. And also, Department threatens to purge teachers teaching without mandatory certification, at News24 (subscription or trial registration required)
New Ribane-Laka School of Specialisation opens in Mamelodi, focusing on automotive and electronics skills IOL News reports that the newly-launched Ribane-Laka Maths, Science and ICT School of Specialisation in Mamelodi township, rebuilt at a cost of R148 million, will offer learners an opportunity to gain skills in electronics and automotive sectors from an early stage. Gauteng MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane, announced during the school's unveiling ceremony that the school of specialisation would focus on automotive and electronics, aiming to advance the 4th Industrial Revolution. The school, converted from a secondary school, features state-of-the-art technology, including advanced laboratories for scientific experiments, modern ICT infrastructure, and a multi-purpose auditorium. Chiloane explained that the school was chosen for conversion to a school of specialisation due to its strong performance, citing a 98% pass rate in the first term of the current academic year. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi indicated in his address that schools of specialisation were launched three years ago with the goal of identifying and building on high-performing secondary schools. He added that the Gauteng government had resolved years ago to differentiate its schools through the schools of specialisation programme, aiming to address unique challenges and avoid uniformity. The Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (Tasez) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the school to offer support. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Rapula Moatshe at IOL News
Deadline for striking EMPD officers to respond to pre-dismissal notices extended to Friday IOL News reports that nearly 400 Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) officers who took part in last month’s illegal highway protest now have until close of business Friday to respond to pre-dismissal notices. Earlier this week, the city issued pre-dismissal notices to 389 officers who participated in the unauthorised strike on 19 March. The protest, driven by demands for overtime pay and salary adjustments, led to massive congestion across major arterial routes. The officers face disciplinary action for serious misconduct. On Tuesday, the mayor of Ekurhuleni, Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, along with the MMC for Community Safety Sizakele Masuku, and senior officials, met with SA Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) representatives to address concerns over the disciplinary process. Acting mayoral spokesperson Ramatolo Tlotleng said union leaders had asked for more time for employees to respond, citing the complexity of the cases. “The city acknowledged these concerns and agreed, in principle, to extend the submission deadline for written representations until close of business on Friday, May 9,” Tlotleng indicated. Tlotleng also issued a warning to any officers involved in intimidating colleagues who continued to report for duty, calling such behaviour a breach of municipal codes and criminal law. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at IOL News DA wants review of SAPS disciplinary regulations after eight ‘blue lights’ officers acquitted of N1 highway assault charges EWN reports that the Democratic Alliance (DA) wants a complete review of the police's internal disciplinary regulations after eight VIP protection unit members were acquitted of assault charges. The party expressed outrage at the police’s acquittal of the eight officers attached to Deputy President Paul Mashatile. They were accused of assaulting civilians on the N1 highway in Johannesburg two years ago. Party police spokesperson, Ian Cameron, said that their acquittal in an internal disciplinary for the violent assault that was caught on camera, reinforced the perception that VIP units accounted to no one. "It's a disgraceful outcome, it’s an embarrassment to the SAPS and it's an indictment on the management of the South African Police Service. We've requested a full review and overhaul of the police's internal disciplinary regulations. We will obviously zoom in on the relevant legislation too,” he stated. The eight members are currently out on R10,000 bail each and their criminal court case continues in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Babalo Ndenze at EWN
KZN man charged with impersonating senior Hawks officer and with extortion TimesLIVE reports that a KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) man charged with impersonating a senior Hawks police officer made a brief appearance in the Durban Magistrate's Court on Wednesday. Dilano Jarret Naidu, 30, is alleged to have unlawfully by words, conduct and demeanour pretended to be Col Deena Govender. A police badge was found in his Morningside home, where he was arrested on Monday. Naidu is also charged with extortion after he allegedly demanded R40,000 from a man in a bid to have an attempted murder charge extinguished. According to court documents, Naidu allegedly demanded that the person pay the amount or be arrested. The victim had paid R3,000 through e-wallet. Prosecutor Calvin Govender requested the matter be adjourned to Friday where further charges are expected to be added. Naidu is expected to be joined by two other people in the dock who were arrested in Overport on Tuesday. Naidu was remanded in the Durban North police cells until his next court appearance. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Mfundo Mkhize at TimesLIVE Eastern Cape police officer arrested for fraud and money laundering News24 reports that a female police officer was arrested for fraud and money laundering on Wednesday morning at the Kabega Park police station in the Eastern Cape. The 48-year-old sergeant is stationed at the same police station where she was arrested. Police spokesperson, Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana, said the sergeant faced charges of fraud and money laundering linked to a case registered at SAPS Mount Road. “The investigation remains ongoing, and no further details can be disclosed at this stage,” said Gantana. The sergeant is expected to appear in the Gqeberha Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. Gantana said the SA Police Service reaffirmed its commitment to accountability and the rule of law, ensuring that all police members implicated in criminal activities faced due process. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Lisalee Solomons at News24 (subscription or trial registration required) Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Meaning of Emojis a bone of contention at Mbenenge’s sexual allegations tribunal hearing The Citizen reports that the use of emojis between Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge and High Court judges’ secretary Andiswa Mengo remained in sharp focus at the Judicial Conduct Tribunal’s sitting in Sandton for a third day . The Tribunal is looking into allegations of sexual harassment against Mbenenge. In the context of text messages between Mbenenge and Mengo, deciphering the interpretation of emojis formed the bulk of the argumentation on Wednesday. Mengo alleged that the emojis she received from Mbenenge had sexual connotations. She argued that when she responded with her own emojis, she was laughing off Mbenenge’s advances and trying to minimise the severity of the situation she allegedly was facing at the hands of the top judge. Given the dispute between the duo over what the emojis could be interpreted as, forensic and legal linguist, Dr Zakeera Docrat, took to the stand on Tuesday to analyse the emojis with the text messages. Docrat then faced cross-examination from Mbenenge’s attorney, Advocate Griffiths Madonsela, about her interpretation of a peeled banana, peaches and an eggplant, which she had said had sexual connotations. In her analysis, Docrat had stated that at first glance, a banana referred to a fruit that had been peeled. But in the context that she saw it in the text messages between the duo, it referred to a sexual act. But, Mandonsela argued that an expert analysis could not trump an individual’s intention when they sent a particular emoji and the message that they had tried to convey. While Mbenenge has admitted to “consensual” conversations with Mengo, he has vehemently denied sending sexually explicit pictures to her. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Faizel Patel at The Citizen. Lees ook, Regter se emoji’s het ‘seksuele konnotasie gehad’, sê linguis, by Maroela Media. And also, Former JSC official to testify in Mbenenge’s sexual harassment probe, at SABC News Other internet posting(s) in this news category
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