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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Shoprite recruitment platform hires workers closer to their homes TechCentral reports that the Shoprite Group has developed and deployed a centralised digital recruitment platform that is already changing how SA’s largest private employer sources employees. The system matches job applicants to vacancies in stores closest to their homes. The average new hires now live just 7km from their workplaces – well below the group’s internal 15km target. Shoprite said the platform helped tackle several structural barriers that prevented job seekers from accessing formal employment. Shorter commutes reduce transport costs and safety risks, while proximity improves attendance and retention. For store managers, the platform provides standardised assessments and faster screening and scheduling, cutting time-to-hire and building reliable local talent pools. Shoprite created 8,723 new jobs in its past financial year and said digital tools such as the new platform were essential to sustaining that momentum and supporting long-term career development inside the group. The recruitment system is the product of a multi-year collaboration with the OTB Group, which built a scalable platform tailored to the retailer’s specifications. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at TechCentral. Read too, Shoprite is using tech to cut staff commute times, at News24 (subscription / trial registration required)
Magistrates protest in Durban for equality and better conditions Daily News reports that in an expression of unity to express their frustration, magistrates gathered outside the Durban Magistrate’s Court building on Monday to raise awareness about their dire working conditions and the systemic disparities forced upon them. Neelan Karikan of the Judicial Officers Association of SA (JOASA) articulated the gravity of their situation. He highlighted that while magistrates were responsible for 95% of the judicial work in the country, they were made to endure significant inequalities compared to high court judges. Their grievances include critical issues such as inadequate remuneration, the lack of essential resources, and insufficient recognition in the judicial system. The call for reform has been exacerbated by financial disparities, with prosecutors in some instances said to be earning more than magistrates. The reality faced by lower court judges is that their salaries must cover all personal expenses, including housing and vehicle allowances. Magistrate Sicelo Zuma reiterated the sentiments of dissatisfaction, saying: “Every year, recommendations are updated but never implemented.” As the protest unfolded in Durban, magistrates countrywide rallied for urgent attention to their plight. The mobilisation also aimed to garner international support at the upcoming G20 meeting in Joburg. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sipho Jack at Daily News. Read too, Why magistrates are protesting, at GroundUp
Newly-registered union will strive to enforce domestic workers’ rights BusinessDay writes that domestic workers could be a step closer to securing equal rights after the recent formation of the SA Domestic Service and Allied Workers Union (Sadsawu). The organisation has become the latest trade union to be registered with the Labour Registrar in accordance with labour legislation. Sadsawu registration earlier this month came days after the SA Taxi Drivers Workers Union also became official with the registrar. Both unions are affiliates of labour federation Cosatu. Sadsawu is expected to take up the plight of domestic workers, who are among the most exploited employees in the country, as employers either fail or refuse to comply with labour legislation such as the national minimum wage and the Compensation Fund. Sadsawu general secretary Gloria Kente said the union had about 1,500 paid-up members and would soon be embarking on a national membership recruitment drive. “We are targeting domestic workers, cleaners, old age homes, restaurants, and B&Bs,” Kente indicated. The union’s registration means that the union can now take its members’ employers to the CCMA if they do not comply with the national minimum wage, among other legislation. About 1.1-million domestic workers were employed in private households in the third quarter of the year, according to the latest data from Stats SA. Women make up 92% of the domestic workforce, Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Luyolo Mkentane at BusinessDay (subscriber access only)
Joburg denies R4 billion diversion from capex budget in respect of G20 ‘blackmail’ by union Newsday reports that the City of Johannesburg has denied diverting R4 billion from its capital expenditure budget to prevent disruptions to the G20 summit. This follows a Sunday Times report published alleging that the City diverted the money to prevent SA Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) members from disrupting the upcoming G20 summit. The diversion is said to have followed an agreement for the City to pay R4 billion of a R10 billion agreement to increase municipal worker salaries over the next two years. Joburg mayor Dada Morero said in a statement: ““No such diversion has taken place. The city has not yet budgeted for the agreement reached in principle with Samwu on Friday, 14 November.” He added that the report’s claim that Joburg’s Mayoral Committee met in October to discuss the diversion of funds from Johannesburg Water, the Johannesburg Roads Agency, or any other entity was also false. He said that expenditure could only occur once municipal funds were appropriated through council processes, which typically occurred in June or February. However, in response, journalist Sisanda Mbolekwa posted the alleged agreement, which shows that the city will commit “a minimum of R1.2 billion, up to a maximum of R2 billion” by March 2026. The city will also commit to paying a minimum of R5 billion, up to a maximum of R6 billion, by July 2026, and further commit to paying R4.1 billion by July 2027. In September Samwu warned that “if workers’ demands relating to salary parity with other metros were met “there is no G20 that will take place.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Daniel Puchert at Newsday. Lees ook, Jhb-burgemeester beloof glo R10 miljard vir vakbond, by Maroela Media
AI expected to result in a jobs boom in hospitality industry Sunday World reports that as global industries brace for job losses linked to artificial intelligence (AI), the hospitality sector faces a different headache – not too few jobs, but a critical human shortage. While other sectors worry about AI rendering roles obsolete, this very technology is giving the hospitality industry a different challenge. The worldwide demand for travel and tourism workers is expected to outpace supply by a staggering 43-million roles by 2035. Within that figure, the hospitality segment alone faces an 8.6-million worker gap, leaving the sector 18% below its required staffing levels. Automation and AI tools are already being deployed to handle routine administrative tasks such as booking management, inventory control, and answering standard customer queries. However, these efficiencies are not replacing staff; instead, they are highlighting the irreplaceable value of human interaction in achieving true guest satisfaction. This perspective reframes the role of AI from job-stealer to essential partner. The solution is said to be a dual approach, namely leveraging technology to alleviate administrative burdens while aggressively investing in the human workforce. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Sunday World Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Labour Minister to seek Treasury funding for more Inspectors amid persistent workplace violations IOL Business reports that Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) Minister Nkosazana Meth’s department will be approaching the National Treasury for increased funding to employ more labour inspectors across all nine provinces. The move comes as the DEL reports persistent non-compliance in workplaces across the country, with non-compliance rates ranging between 13% and 66% across provinces and sectors over the past five years. Between 2021/22 and 2025/26, the DEL conducted 1,265,135 workplace inspections and received thousands of complaints regarding non-compliant workplaces. During the same period, a total of 1,662 labour inspectors were employed. In reply to parliamentary questions, Meth said that the DEL planned to increase the number of labour inspectors in line with the International Labour Organisation’s recommended ratio of one inspector for every 20,000 workers. Meth also indicated: “The Department has initiated and launched an innovative project, “PROJECT 20K”, where it is envisaged that 20,000 graduate interns would be appointed for a two-year period within the Inspections & Enforcement Branch (Labour Inspectorate) to assist Labour Inspectors in their duties as well as to gain exposure and experience within the South African Labour Market". Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mthobisi Nozulela at IOL Business
SIU’s Fort Hare qualifications investigation to proceed despite Mabuyane court ruling The Citizen reports that the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has confirmed that its investigation into alleged academic irregularities at the University of Fort Hare (UFH) will continue, despite a recent High Court ruling that declared an earlier probe into Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane unconstitutional. The Bhisho High Court issued an order on 23 October 2025, finding the SIU’s initial investigation into Mabuyane, conducted under Proclamation 84 of 2022, to be an abuse of power and ultra vires. However, according to the investigating body, that ruling does not affect its current work, which is being conducted under an amended proclamation issued in 2024. The SIU explained that the original 2022 proclamation did not explicitly include master’s degrees or PhDs in its scope, which formed the basis of Mabuyane’s successful legal challenge. The question of constitutional validity stemmed from this omission, prompting the unit to exercise its powers and amend the proclamation. The SIU emphasised that its investigation was not focused on any particular individual but rather on systemic irregularities at the institution. SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago clarified that the unit would investigate all people who entered the master’s programme where procedures might not have been followed correctly. He added that if Mabuyane was among those involved in any irregularities, he would naturally be included in the investigation’s findings. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Enkosi Selane at The Citizen. Read too, Mabuyane still in SIU crosshairs over degree, at SowetanLive. And also, ANC accuses the SIU of harassing Eastern Cape Premier, at Newsday
Gauteng Health welcomes ruling upholding suspension of departmental head The Citizen reports that Lesiba Malotana, the suspended head of the Gauteng Department of Health (DOH), has been dealt a blow after the Labour Court dismissed his attempt to overturn his precautionary suspension. Malotana, who was placed on precautionary suspension by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi in October following a damning report by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) relating to bribes, took the matter to the Labour Court earlier this month in a bid to challenge and overturn the decision. In court, Malotana argued that Lesufi had acted outside the scope of his contract and the Public Service Act when he placed him on precautionary suspension. But, Judge Benita Whitcher ruled that Malotana’s suspension by Lesufi was both lawful and rational, noting that his application was “fundamentally flawed and incorrect.” She found the SIU report contained “believable allegations of serious misconduct” and revealed “a strong, initial case.” Whitcher also found that suspending the Malotana had been “the only logical and rational outcome” based on the evidence and that there was a real risk that he could use his position to influence the investigation if he remained at work. The court dismissed Malotana’s application with costs. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Faizel Patel at The Citizen
Former SARS employee sentenced to an effective six years for tax fraud Cape Times reports that former SA Revenue Service (SARS) employee and registered tax practitioner, Michael Benson, has been sentenced to an effective six years behind bars for fraud, forgery, uttering and failing to keep proper records. The Bellville Regional Court convicted Benson on 11 counts of fraud for submission of false VAT201 returns and claiming undue Value Added Tax (VAT) refunds, 27 counts of fraud for submission of false documents to SARS to justify the false VAT claims, 24 counts of forgery, 24 counts of uttering and a count of failing to keep proper records. State Adv Wimpie Els of the Specialist Tax Unit led evidence which revealed that over a period of 25 months, Benson submitted eleven fraudulent VAT201 returns to SARS, claiming refunds based on wholly fabricated information. After being requested to provide substantiating documentation, he committed further fraud by producing forged invoices, bank statements, and municipal contracts, thereby committing further offences of forgery and uttering. Benson previously worked as a VAT auditor and compliance officer at SARS (1997–2000) and was a qualified and registered tax practitioner (SARS and SA Auditors Board) during the period of the commission of the offences. Despite his subsequent plea for leniency, the court found that Benson acted with knowledge and intent and therefore was fully responsible for his conduct. Read the full original of the report in the above regard at Cape Times
‘Shocked’ Labour Court replaces light sanction of suspension with dismissal for cops accused of kidnapping and assault ‘ SowetanLive reports that the Labour Court (LC) has ruled that the police service was wrong not to dismiss officers who kidnapped, assaulted and shot a man in the leg who was suspected of stealing a car battery from a police station. The Cape Town LC last week overturned the January 2024 decision by Brig M Hartzenberg to hand Const K Tomboer of Atlantis police station a two-month suspension without pay. Tomboer and his two colleagues, Constables S van Heerden and H Filander, faced disciplinary action for kidnapping the man they suspected of having stolen a battery from Tomboer’s car at the station in November 2023. They went the man’s house, where they picked him up. They then drove with him to a secluded area where Tomboer and Van Heerden beat him while Filander looked on and did nothing to stop the assault. At another secluded area, Tomboer and Van Heerden continued to assault the man, who was found injured in the bushes the next day by his family and taken to hospital. None of the officers reported the incident on their return to the station. Hartzenberg imposed a sanction of two months’ suspension without pay against Tomboer and Van Heerden, while Filander received one month’s suspension without pay. Van Heerden has since resigned from the police, while Tomboer and Filander remain in service. The police ministry approached the LC to seek a review of the sanctions and have it replaced with a dismissal. The court found that Hartzenburg had erred in his disciplinary sanctions. “The sanction of suspension without pay imposed on [Tomboer and Van Heerden] is indeed one which shocks and alarms the court when the egregiousness of their conduct is taken into account. I accordingly find that [Hartzenburg] committed a gross irregularity in this regard ... I find that the sanctions were a decision which no reasonable decision-maker could have reached,” the judgment states. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Lindile Sifile at SowetanLive
KZN teacher investigated for allegedly impregnating two pupils The Witness reports that the teacher who is at the center of a confrontation that led to a Grade 12 pupil in a high school in Jozini pouring boiling water on a fellow pupil has been suspended for a separate matter. The KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Education Department on Monday confirmed that the teacher could have impregnated two other pupils from the same school. Department spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi said after a preliminary investigation following the boiling water incident last week, there were indications that the teacher might be having sexual relations with several pupils. According to Mahlambi, he allegedly impregnated two other pupils from the same school. The pregnancy investigation came about following the boiling water incident that left a pupil with serious burn wounds that landed her in hospital last week. She was allegedly burnt by a fellow pupil after being accused of having an affair with the teacher. A 17-year-old girl has been arrested and charged with assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. The victim remains in a critical condition at Ngwelezane Hospital. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Chris Ndaliso at The Witness Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Gauteng government asks e-hailing operators to comply by registering ITWeb reports that e-hailing app drivers working with e-hailing operators in Gauteng have been urged to register their applications in line with the National Land Transport Amendment Act (NLTA) of 2009. The Act introduces a new transport category − e-hailing services − as a recognised mode of public transport. This development affirms and formalises a sector that was previously treated as operating outside the law by some existing operators. In a statement released on Sunday, roads and transport MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela called on the operators to work with government. He indicated: “The Act requires e-hailing platform providers to register their digital applications (apps) with the National Department of Transport through the National Public Transport Regulator prior to engaging in any application for operating licensing processes at provincial level.” Diale-Tlabela went on to point out: “The growth of the e-hailing service in Gauteng has been significant, offering valuable mobility options and creating economic opportunities for thousands of operators. However, this growth must take place within a transparent and well-regulated environment that protects both operators and commuters.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard at ITWeb
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