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 Tuesday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South
African labour-related reports.
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Netcare CEO reassures staff they have no need to fear AI taking their jobs BL Premium reports that the CEO of Netcare said on Monday that the staff of the private hospital group could rest assured that AI was not coming for their jobs. Anxiety about the threat to jobs posed by AI is a global concern, but is particularly acute in SA due to its high unemployment rate. Netcare is pursuing an ambitious digitisation strategy that draws on AI capabilities, but believes the company’s natural attrition rate will take care of any decline in its staff requirements. CEO Richard Friedland indicated on Monday: “We’ve always relied on attrition rather than retrenchment, and we don’t foresee that changing even as we become more digital and more focused on AI.” The first phase of Netcare’s 10-year strategy for transforming the business with digitisation and data had increased operational efficiency and delivered R439m in savings over the last three and a half years, Friedland advised. Netcare is now in the second phase of the strategy, using data to improve patient care. Netcare has made a commitment to its digitisation strategy despite the uncertainty facing the sector as the government presses ahead with National Health Insurance (NHI), its controversial plan for universal health coverage. “We don’t believe NHI is either affordable, sustainable and in its current form workable … We firmly believe that a workable, sustainable solution is one of collaboration between the different sectors. We can’t wait 15 years to solve this country’s healthcare needs,” Friedland stated. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tamar Kahn at BusinessLive (subscriber access only) Technological advancements require organised labour to adapt Engineering News reports that the rapid advancements in technology pose both challenges and opportunities for employment and the labour market and it is crucial that organised labour adapts accordingly to ensure it plays a role in securing robust worker protection, upholds worker rights and champions worker skills development strategies to support long-term employment resilience in a technology-driven economy. This was highlighted last week by speakers from trade union UASA when presenting findings from the ‘2025 UASA South African Employment Report (SAER)’ and the third UASA/Bureau of Market Research (BMR) Employment Index. BMR CEO Professor Carel van Aardt noted that AI technology was still in its infancy, but he expected it to show exponential growth and development over the next two decades. He pointed out that AI technologies would be increasingly disruptive in the labour market, with job displacements a reality, and mitigation, such as skills development, required. Van Aardt reported that technological adaptation, especially automation, AI and robotics, had led to the replacement of routine, manual and repetitive jobs across several industries, including in mining, manufacturing, retail and trade, and business services. However, positively, some industries had benefitted, including information and communications technology, renewable energy, logistics and warehousing and health and social care. The implications of these developments for organised labour were varied, with Van Aardt emphasising the need for it to be adaptive. He underlined the importance of unions supporting upskilling and transition rights. Van Aardt emphasised that organised labour must evolve, with efforts including advocating for regulations to ensure ethical AI use in workplaces. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Engineering News
Nissan to close factories, including Rosslyn factory in SA, sources say Reuters reports that as part of a cost-cutting plan that Nissan flagged last week, the company is said by sources to be considering plans to shut two car assembly plants in Japan as well as overseas factories, including in SA. The carmaker is mulling closing Japan’s Oppama plant, where Nissan started production in 1961, and the Shonan plant operated by Nissan Shatai, in which Nissan is a 50% stakeholder. Overseas, Nissan was considering ending production at plants in SA, India and Argentina, and cutting the number of factories in Mexico, one of the sources said. Nissan indicated on its website that reports on the potential closure of certain plants were speculative and not based on any official information. Nissan SA assembles the Navara one-tonne pickup for the local market and export at its factory in Rosslyn, which employs about 1,200 people. The plant’s production volumes have seen a decrease due to the discontinuation of the popular NP200 half-tonne bakkie. The plant has also experienced a decrease in sales for the Navara. Nissan SA’s Thato Maphoto could not confirm reports that the Rosslyn factory might shut down, as consultations were still happening internally. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at BusinessLive
Health Ombud launches probe into death at work of medical intern Dr Alulutho Mazwi TimesLIVE reports that Health Ombudsman Prof Taole Mokoena has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Dr Alulutho Mazwi, a medical intern at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital in Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal. The investigation was launched at the request of Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi. A team of investigators will be dispatched to the hospital to conduct a thorough independent investigation into Mazwi’s death. The investigation will focus on ascertaining the events leading to Mazwi’s death; evaluating the working conditions and support systems for medical interns and other health professionals at the facility; identifying any systemic issues or lapses in protocol that may have contributed to this incident; and providing recommendations to prevent similar occurrences in the future. The Ombud's office noted that this case came soon after the referral by Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, chairperson of the parliamentary portfolio committee on health, for investigation of another doctor who recently died at Vryheid Hospital. “To maintain public trust and prevent such incidents in future, it is imperative to ensure systemic improvements in healthcare practices,” Mokoena said. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ernest Mabuza at TimesLIVE. Read too, Health Ombudsman to probe death of medical intern at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital, at News24 (subscription / trial registration required). And also, PSA blames collapsing KZN health system after intern doctor’s death, at SABC News Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Prasa has failed to table ‘just and fair’ wage offer within 30 days, says Untu BL Premium reports that unions at the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) are pinning their hopes on the CCMA to intervene in a wage dispute that threatens to turn into a debilitating strike if no deal is reached. The United National Transport Union (Untu) and SA Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) want the dispute resolution body to help broker an acceptable wage agreement between themselves and Prasa. In April, Prasa was given 30 days to table a “just and fair” wage offer to its workforce following a dispute lodged by the two unions at the state-owned rail operator. According to Untu’s Atenkosi Plaatjie, Prasa management missed the 10 May deadline to table an offer. “Therefore, there will be a CCMA-facilitated collective bargaining process. This will be the final CCMA-facilitated intervention process and if no resolution is reached, the CCMA will issue Untu a certificate of nonresolution, meaning that we can embark on a strike at Prasa,” Plaatjie indicated. Satawu’s Amanda Tshemese confirmed the matter would be heard by a CCMA commissioner. Untu and Satawu declared a dispute in March after Prasa management refused to formally table a wage offer. This came after three failed attempts to initiate wage negotiations for 2025/26. Satawu and Untu’s consolidated wage demands include a 15% across-the-board wage increase. The unions are also demanding a R3,000 housing subsidy, a standby allowance of R50 an hour, a night shift allowance of R10 an hour, a moratorium on retrenchments and a medical aid subsidy with the employer contributing 70%. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
Cosatu hopes Budget 3.0 won't disappoint workers EWN reports that the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) says it hopes government won’t disappoint workers and that it will table a budget that addresses their challenges. Cosatu parliamentary coordinator, Matthew Parks, said the working class and the country at large were battling several socio-economic crises and government had to take bold steps and present a progressive budget. On Wednesday, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana will table his national budget for the third time, after the pevious two were largely rejected due to a proposed VAT increase, which has since been removed. Parks said Godongwana must provide relief for the unemployed by avoiding any austerity measures, protecting social grants from inflation and investing in public infrastructure. "I think basically it’s threefold, one is to invest in public services, not just because they create jobs for workers in the public service, but working class communities more importantly, depend upon quality services. So if you have more teachers, that improves the ability of working-class children to get a good education," he commented. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Babalo Ndenze at EWN Other internet posting(s) in this news category
At AGM and after bitter CEO fallout, Exxaro promises ‘no more drama’ News24 reports that Exxaro Resources has promised stakeholders that there will be “no more drama” as it seeks to move on from a very public falling out with its former CEO. The commitment came from the JSE-listed miner’s chairperson, Geoffrey Qhena, who convened the Exxaro annual general meeting (AGM) this week. Qhena was a key player in the spectacle that unfolded at the coal-mining company, starting in November last year when the board suspended its CEO and long-time employee Nombasa Tsengwa pending the outcome of an investigation. Tsengwa, who approached the court to overturn the suspension, described the probe as a witch-hunt and noted that relations with the board soured after she suspended Kgabi Masia – the head of coal – amid a probe into alleged governance issues. Masia recently exited the company by way of a mutual separation agreement Tsengwa resigned in early February after being presented with a charge sheet that she said veered away from the original complaints against her. Following her resignation, she also abandoned a court bid to have her suspension overturned. At the AGM, Dr Con Fauconnier, who had been Exxaro’s very first CEO, said he found the leadership tumult in recent months “rather sad”. His bigger concern, however, was around human capital. “All I want to make a plea for today is, let’s get back to the days when people are important. The skill of people is important,” said Fauconnier. Succession planning also seemed to have come to a halt, he noted. Responding to Fauconnier, Qhena said: “We can assure you that the board has had time to reflect and will continue to reflect. And there’s lots of lessons which we can learn. And I will repeat, there won’t be any more drama.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lisa Steyn at News24 (subscription / trial registration required). Read too, Exxaro accelerates diversification with strategic manganese acquisition, at BusinessLive Other labour / community posting(s) relating to mining
Gauteng doctors threaten to quit working overtime as they are not being paid for it City Press reports that Gauteng doctors say they will no longer work overtime if they are not paid for it, which will leave patients at public hospitals unattended. This comes after the Gauteng Department of Health (GHoH) cut its budget for fixed overtime and many health workers were paid late this month. Some have not yet been paid for last month’s overtime. In a letter dated 7 May, the anaesthesia department at the Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital in Ga-Rankuwa informed the CEO that no anaesthesia services would be available from the following evening due to the delay in the processing of payments. On the same day, the department for medical family care in Ekurhuleni, notified the managers they were suspending all overtime services until the outstanding payments were received. Meanwhile, a few medical staff were paid for overtime work last week, although some payments are still outstanding. Those who wanted to cease their services were allegedly threatened with dismissal and thus most medical staff in the public service were at their posts last week – whether they were paid or not. Meanwhile, the SA Medical Association Trade Union (Samatu) met on Thursday to discuss a way forward and decided to send a letter of demand to the department that all payments for overtime work must be settled by Thursday. Samatu said the doctors had thus far been “tremendously sympathetic and accommodating” regarding their situation. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Magdel Louw at City Press (subscription / trial registration required) Eastern Cape health department hunts for whistleblower who exposed doctor shortage at Livingstone Hospital News24 reports that staff at Gqeberha’s Livingstone Hospital fear repercussions as the Eastern Cape Department of Health is investigating a letter, proclaiming to be from the surgery department, warning of a doctor shortage at the state facility. People were told not to expect doctors to attend the outpatient clinics due to the shortage. However, the department said the letter was the work of “faceless individuals” who wanted to “destabilise” the institution. Indicating that the only person authorised to write such a letter was acting CEO Thembisa Notshe, the department indicated: “With regard [to] the letter that was circulated, the department has launched an investigation to uncover the author.” Meanwhile, doctors described the department’s response as “disappointing”. “It is exactly this tone that makes us afraid to speak out. This is becoming an impossible place to work,” one doctor commented. Reportedly over the past few years, the hospital’s departments, including internal medicine, surgery, anaesthetics, the intensive care unit, casualty, and radiology, had lost at least 30% of their doctors.. “Very few of these doctors have been replaced, while in some departments, none have been. Those of us who remain are trying to plug the holes that have been left behind,” one doctor said. Meanwhile, the DA said the hospital must be put under administration. Department spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo said the recruitment of doctors and a permanent CEO at Livingstone was under way. He could not say how many doctors would be appointed. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sithandiwe Velaphi at News24 (subscription / trial registration required)
Heineken contract workers secure compensation after seven-year battle over unfair dismissals IOL News reports that following a seven-year legal battle by six fired workers previously employed by labour brokers at brewing company Heineken’s Sedibeng plant, they last week finally received compensation when their case was settled. The six members of the Simunye Workers Forum (SWF) reached a settlement in their long-running unfair dismissal dispute with Liquor Runner and Heineken. They were fired in 2018 after they were accused of partaking in an unprotected strike. Their problems started in 2018, when more than 400 workers employed by labour brokers at Heineken were attending their section 198 case at the CCMA. During the hearing, Heineken told the commissioner that it did not know who the workers were. In response, the workers, who had worked at Heineken’s Sedibeng Brewery for years, took two taxis on 22 October 2018 to Heineken’s head office in Sandton to introduce themselves. They held a peaceful protest outside Heineken’s premises after management refused to meet with them. Shortly afterwards, Imperial, the labour broker at the time, dismissed the worker leaders involved in the protest. Up until recently, Heineken and the labour brokers have been fighting the claims against them. Liquor Runner, which took over from Imperial, initially told the bargaining council that the workers had been on an unprotected strike. The result was that the matter was referred to the Labour Court, where it remained stalled for years. Just as the trial was set to begin last week, Liquor Runner reversed its position by conceding that there had in fact been no unprotected strike. A financial settlement was made an order of court on Friday. Read the full original of the interesting report in the above regard by Zelda Venter at IOL News
After suspended Madibeng manager went to work, he was frog-marched out again SowetanLive reports that chaos erupted at the Madibeng local municipality, in North West, when the suspended municipal manager returned to work only to be forcefully removed from office by security guards on Thursday. Quiet Kgatla was suspended on 27 March, just three months after his appointment, but returned to work because his 30-day suspension period had expired and the council had not acted on a disciplinary board’s report. Kgatla’s arrival at work resulted in some questioning about whether the municipality had two municipal managers, namely Kgatla and acting municipal manager Daniel Masemola. However, municipality spokesperson Tumelo Tshabalala said Kgatla was still on suspension, adding they were reporting to Masemola. “The substantive municipal manager is still on suspension until after the investigation on the allegations has been finalised or the suspension lifted by the council,” Tshabalala said. Kgatla commented: “The reason I went to work is that the investigation was unlawful from the beginning. They did not allow me to make representations as to why I believe I should not be suspended. As far as I’m concerned, the report does not exist because no decision has been made on it.” Kgatla faces several allegations of misconduct, irregular procurement processes, and the withdrawal of R15m from the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) in December to pay for security services. However, the money was put back into the MIG account in January. A disciplinary board report dated 9 May recommends that the council appoint an independent investigator to conduct a full investigation. The council has not yet adopted the report. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Jeanette Chabalala at SowetanLive Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Worcester teacher sentenced to life imprisonment for raping Grade 8 pupil in classroom News24 reports that the Worcester Regional Court has sentenced Jeremy Claasen, a 38-year-old teacher, to life imprisonment after he was convicted of raping a Grade 8 pupil during school hours in his classroom. Claasen, a life orientation teacher, began communicating with the pupil via social media when she was in Grade 7 and established a trusting relationship with her. On 7 February 2020, the pupil entered Claasen’s classroom to charge her phone. After closing the door and asking her to sit on a bench, he ignored her resistance, made advances, and proceeded to rape her. Days later, the victim confided in a close friend, who informed a teacher. The teacher reported the incident to the principal, who contacted the police, leading to Claasen’s arrest. During the trial, the state presented the complainant’s testimony via closed-circuit television with the assistance of an intermediary to prevent further trauma. Her friend and a medico-legal examination conducted by a doctor corroborated her testimony and confirmed evidence of sexual penetration. Claasen offered an alibi, claiming he was in court paying a traffic fine at the time of the crime, but the court found the alibi unreliable. It affirmed the victim’s testimony as credible and consistent, supporting the conviction of rape. The Western Cape Director of Public Prosecutions expressed deep concern over the crime, condemning the actions of a teacher who abused his position of trust. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Velani Ludidi at News24 (subscription / trial registration required)
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