In our Tuesday morning roundup, see
summaries of our selection of recent South
African labour-related reports.
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Bellville man’s fake bomb threats so that he could to skip work earn him real jail time The Citizen reports that a 50-year-old Bellville man who made hoax bomb threats to police has been sentenced to five years’ direct imprisonment. The Bellville Regional Court convicted Ferdinand Fortuin on three counts after he falsely claimed to have planted explosives at the Department of Water and Sanitation, Transnet offices and the Bellville taxi rank. The threats, made on 11 November 2024, forced the evacuation of more than 3,500 people and the deployment of multiple specialised police units. According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Fortuin admitted in his plea and sentencing agreement that he had been drinking heavily the day before and “did not want to go to work the following day”. He left his home in Mamre, expecting the roads leading to Bellville to be closed because of his bomb threats, but they were not and he worked the whole day. Fortuin confessed to buying a cellphone from a drug user to make the hoax calls, including one to the toll-free emergency number in which he claimed to have placed explosives at the three locations. One call was to his own workplace. Fortuin faced a prescribed minimum sentence of 15 years unless the court found “substantial and compelling circumstances” to deviate. The court noted that he was a first offender, had pleaded guilty, had shown remorse, and had “strong personal circumstances” making him a candidate for rehabilitation. He was sentenced to five years’ direct imprisonment on all charges combined. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Oratile Mashilo at The Citizen. Lees ook, Man gevonnis na vals bomdreigemente, by Maroela Media. As well as, Western Cape man who made a bomb hoax to skip work sentenced to five years, at IOL News
Alleged hitman linked to Prasa regional manager's death in January appears in court TimesLIVE reports that a KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) man who is alleged to have carried out a hit on Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) regional manager Jacob Khoaele on 22 January made a brief appearance in the Durban Magistrate's Court on Monday. Khoaele died in a hail of bullets in his vehicle on Shelbourne Avenue, La Lucia. KZN police spokesperson Col Robert Netshiunda said that on Saturday detectives made a breakthrough in the case when they arrested a fourth suspect in connection with Khoaele's death. Mthandeni Cele, 24, was arrested at the Scottburgh Magistrate’s Court where he was appearing in an unrelated case of house robbery and attempted murder. He faces charges of conspiracy to commit murder and murder. The case was cracked when twins Vukani and Vukile Mchunu were arrested on 27 July. Investigations also pointed to Sandile Sakhile Ngcobo as the alleged mastermind behind the killing. Ngcobo made his first appearance on 4 August. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mfundo Mkhize at TimesLIVE. Read too, KZN police arrest fourth suspect in connection with Prasa manager's murder, at EWN PSA condemns clash at Oudtshoorn prison in which one inmate died and four officials were injured TimesLIVE reports that the Public Servants Association (PSA) has condemned the violent incident at Oudtshoorn prison last week that resulted in the death of an inmate and left four correctional services officials injured. The incident occurred on the morning of 7 August during routine unlock procedures. This followed a contraband search operation conducted the previous day, during which inmates resisted the confiscation of illicit items such as cellphones and narcotics. Department of Correctional Services (DCS) national commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale said the attack was premeditated. “The PSA strongly condemns this violence and reiterates the union’s long-standing concerns regarding the safety and wellbeing of correctional officials,” the union said. The issue of severe staff shortages was raised during a bargaining chamber meeting with the DCS in June. “These shortages significantly increase the risks faced by correctional officers, particularly during high-risk operations. The DCS is experiencing a critical shortage of staff, primarily owing to insufficient funding from the National Treasury and a lack of adequate facilities to train new correctional officers,” the PSA stated. The union said it would be writing to the finance minister to reiterate its call for urgent prioritisation of funding to enable the DCS to recruit and train front-line personnel. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Ernest Mabuza at TimesLIVE. Read too, Urgent call for funding to address prison staffing shortages amid overcrowding crisis, at The Mercury Criminals who shot dead three cops well-trained in handling firearms, says Masemola SowetanLive reports that national police commissioner Gen Fannie Masemola says the shooters responsible for killing three police officers in two separate incidents over the weekend were clearly well trained in handling firearms. “In both instances, you can see that the criminals are well-trained in the use of firearms because they shot in the head. Even [in the incident of] Sgt Lawrence Mtsweni, they shot him in the head. You can just imagine shooting in the head in darkness and finding where the head is ... this shows we are dealing with somebody who knows what he’s doing,” Masemola commented. He cautioned officers looking for the suspects to be careful and to know whom they were dealing with. Masemola was speaking during a visit to Mtsweni’s family in Mpumalanga on Sunday. Mtsweni was among a group of police officers who were responding to a business robbery at Usave shopping centre at Schoemansdal when he was shot on Saturday morning. On Friday, WO Vuyisile Sintwa, a detective attached to the Joburg trio task team, and Sgt Simon Masenye died after being shot by Zimbabwean national Thabang Moyo. At the time of the murder, they were transporting him from the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court. One suspect has been arrested for Mtsweni’s murder. Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union spokesperson Richard Mamabolo said the ongoing killing of police officers was a deeply concerning and painful reality for the union. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mandla Khoza & Jeanette Chabalala at TimesLIVE Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Wesizwe CEO resigns owing to ill health Mining Weekly reports that owing to ill health, Long Zou, CEO of JSE-listed Wesizwe, has announced that he will be stepping down from his position effective immediately. He will also be resigning as executive director. “The board would like to extend its appreciation to … Zou for his commitment and service to the company over the years,” Wesizwe said in a statement on 8 August, adding that an announcement of Zou’s successor would be made in due course. Read the original of the short report in the above regard at Mining Weekly Other labour / community posting(s) relating to mining
Tiger Brands gets Competition Commission nod to sell canning business, with no retrenchments for three years BL Premium reports that the Competition Commission has approved the sale of Tiger Brands’ Langeberg and Ashton Foods canning business to a consortium of local fruit producers. The transaction, finalised after five years, clears the way for Tiger to fully exit the deciduous canned fruit market, while promoting local ownership and sustained competition. It transfers ownership of the Ashton canning factory and related operations for a nominal fee of R1. Tiger Brands has also committed R150m to establish a Community Trust as part of the deal. To address public interest concerns, the merged entity has agreed not to retrench any employees for three years and will invest capital into the business. The buyer is a consortium made up of the Ashton Fruit Producers Co-operative, formed in 2020 by producers from Robertson, Ceres, Breede River and the Little Karoo, and a development finance institution focused on job creation, improving livelihoods and supporting the shift to net zero. Langeberg and Ashton Foods employs more than 3,000 permanent and seasonal employees and is an “important contributor to the region’s economy”, Tiger Brands pointed out. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nompilo Goba at BussinessLive (subscriber access only)
Labour Court confirms rehire, but rules that CCMA’s award of 18 months’ backpay not reasonable IOL Business reports that what started with the sale of 10 discounted bags of damaged cement – and ended with no delivery for three months – has now seen the Labour Court order Cashbuild to reinstate its dismissed Mqanduli branch manager over procedural disciplinary issues. The court in Gqeberha found that the CCMA erred in awarding Luvolwethu Dyani 18 months’ back pay worth R463,840 as it upheld overturning Cashbuild’s decision to fire him. In October 2022, the CCMA ruled Luvolwethu Dyani’s dismissal was both substantively and procedurally unfair and ordered his reinstatement. Cashbuild took the matter to the Labour Court, arguing that the CCMA ignored key evidence and misapplied the facts. The saga began in December 2020, when a customer bought and paid for ten bags of damaged cement at a discount. The bags were never set aside or sent and instead sold to another customer. Over the next three months no replacement was delivered despite payment having been made. Dyani was charged with poor customer service/gross negligence and bringing the company name into disrepute. A disciplinary hearing in March 2021, held without him, led to his dismissal, and his internal appeal the next month was unsuccessful. Dyani went to the CCMA, which found that he should be reinstated with 18 months’ salary because his “dismissal was both substantively and procedurally unfair”. Cashbuild took the matter to the Labour Court, arguing that the CCMA didn’t fairly consider the evidence. The Court decided that the CCMA’s payout decision was “one that a reasonable decision maker could not reach” and cut it to four months’ salary, namely R103,076. It also found that while Dyani had been negligent, dismissal was too harsh, and a final written warning was the more appropriate sanction. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nicola Mawson at IOL Business
Two Cape Town cops arrested for allegedly selling blank affidavit forms for R100 each News24 reports that two Cape Town police officers have been arrested for corruption, after allegedly selling blank affidavit forms to the public. Police spokesperson Colonel Andrè Traut said the arrests followed allegations that a 41-year-old sergeant and a 31-year-old constable were selling the commissioned blank affidavit forms at R100 per statement. Traut indicated: “The matter first came to light late last year when a signed and commissioned statement was discovered in a vehicle at a crime scene in Table View. An investigation was immediately launched by the Anti-Corruption Unit. Once sufficient evidence was obtained, the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court issued warrants for their arrest.” The two officers were detained at Table View police station on Sunday night. They will face charges of corruption and defeating the ends of justice, and were expected to make their first court appearance on Monday. Western Cape provincial commissioner, Lieutenant-General Thembisile Patekile, said corruption within police ranks would not be tolerated. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Nicole McCain at News24 (subscription / trial registration required) Police brigadier still on the job, despite three arrests for multimillion-rand tender fraud, corruption News24 reports that a high-ranking officer, who has been arrested three times since early 2022 in three separate tender fraud cases, is still employed by the police. Brigadier Stephinah Mahlangu, who used to work in the police’s supply chain management (SCM) division, has since been moved to the inspectorate division. She has neither been suspended, nor faced a disciplinary hearing. Mahlangu’s first arrest was in February 2022, along with 14 others, for allegedly defrauding the police of more than R1.9 million through personal protective equipment tenders. A few months later, in June, she was arrested and charged with fraud and corruption relating to four contracts worth R960,000 in the national police commissioner’s corporate services office that were allegedly irregularly awarded. Her most recent arrest, on 30 July, along with two other police officers, was in connection with a 2019 R79-million police tender for the provision of office furniture. Mahlangu and her co-accused formed part of the bid evaluation committee (BEC) that assessed the bids for the tender. In the three cases, she was granted bail of amounts that ranged between R3,000 and R20,000. Despite being accused in different criminal cases that date back more than three years, Mahlangu remains in the police’s employ. Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said Mahlangu was only transferred out of the SCM division in February 2023, a year after her first arrest. However, it is unclear whether any other action was taken since then. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Alex Mitchley at News24 (subscription / trial registration required)
West Rand teacher accused of raping a girl at gunpoint fired after refusing to attend disciplinary hearing TimesLIVE Premium reports that a West Rand schoolteacher accused of raping a 16-year-old girl at gunpoint, who snubbed disciplinary action by refusing to attend a hearing, has been found guilty, fired and registered as a sex offender. When contacted on the instruction of the Education Labour Relations Council, the teacher, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the victim, said he was not interested in attending an inquiry and had no interest in defending the allegations made against him by the girl. He failed to attend the pre-hearing meeting, and when given a second chance, continued to ignore communications and declined to answer calls. The child alleged that the teacher taught her isiZulu since grade 8 and she knew him well. However, when she was in grade 11 he attacked her, sexually assaulted her, raped her and threatened her at gunpoint at school in February this year. The hearing went ahead in the teacher’s absence. A Gauteng education department representative told the hearing that the teacher's actions appeared to have been “like a hunting lion” in that he had planned his actions before preying on the girl. The arbitrator ruled that Gauteng education had proven the case and the teacher had demonstrated “a lack of remorse for this appalling and heinous offence” and brazen disregard for the outcome. She ordered that he be dismissed, registered as a sex offender in terms of the Children's Act and declared unsuitable to work with children. A criminal case is proceeding. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Gill Gifford at TimesLIVE Premium (subscriber access only) Other internet posting(s) in this news category
More than 100 Golden Arrow busses torched over a decade in Cape Town Sunday Times reports that Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS), which transports 215,000 passengers a day, is counting the cost of being a lightning rod for violent protests in Cape Town. Three of the private company’s buses, each worth about R3m, were petrol-bombed during violent protests over jobs and tenders some two weeks ago along Govan Mbeki Road in Philippi – where the city is expanding its own MyCiTi bus service. In June a GABS bus was completely gutted in the area. Meantime, the city has obtained an interdict against local business forums, two men, and “all other persons unlawfully interfering” with its MyCiTi project. In a briefing to MPs in May, GABS revealed that 99 of its buses had been torched since 2014. The attacks are affecting the company’s finances, as some of the costs are not covered by insurance. Company spokesperson Bronwen Dyke-Beyer indicated that GABS had “not successfully been able to take legal action against any individuals, as they have not been apprehended by SAPS”. GABS general manager Derick Meyer told MPs that the company operated 1,110 buses, which travelled 64-million kilometres a year, and employed 2,500 people. He advised that buses were stoned daily. Sabotage and arson, including petrol bombing, are also common. According to JP Smith, MMC for safety & security, unsavoury elements within the taxi industry may have taken advantage of volatile situations to target their competition. “MyCiTi buses also get attacked. I don’t think it’s protests,” he opined. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Philani Nombembe at Sunday Times (subscriber access only) Polokwane’s buses missing and more than R16m down the drain, but no consequence management City Press reports that six years after spending more than R16 million of taxpayers’ money to acquire 10 buses for the city’s rapid transit system, Polokwane local municipality in Limpopo has not received the vehicles. In 2019, the municipality paid a service provider R1.6 million each for 10 buses that were never delivered. This has raised serious concerns about corruption, maladministration and collusion between the service provider and senior municipal officials. It was only when Auditor-General (AG) Tsakani Maluleke discovered the rot that the municipality was forced to act. In 2022, Maluleke’s office declared the municipality’s noncompliance in recovering the money as material irregularities. The AG recommended that the municipality implement consequence management against the implicated officials. But, despite these recommendations, the municipality has yet to take action against them. Maluleke has expressed shock to learn that the implicated officials are still employed by the municipality. The municipality defended itself, saying that two unidentified officials were undergoing a disciplinary hearing that commenced in November 2024. Charges against the implicated officials include gross negligence, contravention of the MFMA, contravention of SCM policies, gross dishonesty, and dereliction of duty. Municipality spokesperson Thipa Selala confirmed that two of the implicated officials remained employed. He said that the municipality was addressing the issue through the courts. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Norman Masungwini & Sipho Mabena at News24 (subscription / trial registration required) Other internet posting(s) in this news category
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