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.
|
Solidarity withdraws lawsuit over ‘race-regulated’ banner after settlement with Joburg metro BusinessDay reports that Solidarity has withdrawn its legal challenge in which it accused the City of Johannesburg of gross abuse of state power after the trade union’s banner erected alongside the M1 near the Joburg city centre was removed. Ahead of SA hosting the G20 summit, Solidarity had erected a large billboard with the words “Welcome to the most race-regulated country in the world”. The metro removed the banner last week, saying the union had not sought prior approval for the display and had contravened municipal outdoor advertising bylaws. Solidarity’s opposed application was set to be heard by the South Gauteng High Court on Tuesday. But, advocate Reinard Michau, representing Solidarity, informed the court of the removal of the application after the parties reached an agreement. The only condition in the agreement was that Solidarity would remove the application from the roll and collect its banner “by close of business” on Tuesday. During the hearing it was apparent the municipality and Solidarity did not entirely agree on the finer details of what would happen after collection. Advocate Khotso Ramolefe, representing the metro, said: “The respondents [municipality and JMPD] do not expect or anticipate that the applicant would proceed to try and put the banner up in the absence of approval from the municipality.” Michau, however, did not confirm this. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sinesipho Schrieber at BusinessDay (subscriber access only). Lees ook, Metro moet reusebanier teruggee ná skikking, by Maroela Media. Read Solidarity’s press statement at Solidarity News Joburg metro agrees to return protest banner to Solidarity as 38 more banners installed News24 reports that the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) has agreed to return trade union Solidarity’s controversial protest banner, labelling South Africa as “the most race-regulated country”, but restricted its reinstallation until compliance with municipal by-laws was ensured. The settlement follows a legal standoff between the City and the union after the banner, displayed along the M1 highway, was removed last week due to alleged non-compliance with the City’s outdoor advertising by-laws. The advertisement was strategically displayed along a route leading to the G20 Leaders’ Summit. According to the CoJ, Solidarity had failed to apply for permission to advertise in that space, prompting the metro police to remove it. But, according to the City, to avoid prolonged litigation and unnecessary public expenditure and after consulting with its legal representatives, the CoJ had offered to return the banner. According to Connie Mulder, the head of the Solidarity Research Institute, 38 other banners have been installed in areas like Sandton and Nasrec, aimed at greeting international leaders attending the G20 Summit. While the specific banner removed along the M1 highway will not be returned to the same location, Solidarity is evaluating whether to display another one elsewhere or rely on the 38 others that are in place. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Noxolo Sibiya at News24 (subscription / trial registration required) Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Principal and staff member shot dead at Inxiweni Primary School in Tembisa The Citizen reports that teachers and learners at the Inxiweni Primary School in Tembisa, Ekurhuleni, were left in shock after the principal and an administrative staff member, both women, were shot dead at the school. The shooting took place inside the school’s administration block on Tuesday (18 November). Gauteng Education Department spokesperson Steve Mabona said that the incident occurred at around 5pm on the school premises while the 58-year-old principal, the 55-year-old administrator, and other colleagues were preparing for a meeting scheduled for later this week. “It is alleged that the colleagues who were in a nearby office in the admin block suddenly overheard gunshots. Fearing for their safety, the colleagues allegedly hid until the situation appeared safe. When they emerged, they reportedly found the Principal and the administrator lying in the passage of the admin block,” Mabona reported. Emergency services responded swiftly to the scene and attended to the injured officials. The principal and the admin staff member were declared dead at the scene. Police have launched an investigation into the incident.” Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Faizel Patel at The Citizen Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Numsa to join national shutdown with protest in Bloemfontein over deepening GBVF crisis IOL News reports that the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) will be joining Friday’s National Shutdown as anger mounts over escalating levels of gender-based violence, femicide and attacks on children. The union’s National Gender Structure confirmed it would lead a demonstration in Bloemfontein on Friday (21 November), backed by Numsa members from the Northern Cape and Free State. Several Saftu affiliates, including Taswu and Nupsaw, are also expected to participate. The action comes amid what Numsa leaders describe as a “national emergency”. Civil society group Women for Change has called on women in SA to withdraw from the economy for one day on Friday to protest against gender-based violence ahead of the G20 summit. Numsa’s Puleng Phaka said the shutdown was aimed at pressuring the government to move faster and more decisively over gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF). The Bloemfontein protest is scheduled to begin at Hoffman Square at 11:00 on Friday. The union has encouraged its members across the country to mobilise or join local demonstrations where possible. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Yasmine Jacobs at IOL News. Read too, Women for Change calls for national shutdown over GBV ahead of G20 Summit, at Daily Maverick
Samwu rejects ‘misleading narrative’ about G20 ‘hostage’ strike, claiming timing mere coincidence News24 reports that the SA Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) has expressed disappointment at what it labelled a media “smear campaign” after it was reported that it had held the City of Johannesburg hostage by threatening a wage strike during the G20 Summit. On Sunday, the Sunday Times reported that the City would divert R4 billion from its capital expenditure budget to prevent Samwu from striking and closing roads during the summit. Samwu’s regional secretary, Thobani Nkosi, indicated on Tuesday that despite the City’s financial problems, the union was confident it would pay the workers the R10.3 billion owed to them over the agreed two years to address salary disparities dating back to 2016. He said Samwu “knows nothing” about R4 billion or where it came from, as it was asking R10 billion for its workers. On Sunday, Mayor Dada Morero called the allegations that the money was moved to cover the costs of the workers’ wage increase to halt an embarrassing protest “entirely false” and said, “no such diversion has taken place”. Morero added that the City had not yet budgeted to pay the workers and no amount had been drawn from any capital budget for this purpose. At a briefing on Tuesday, Nkosi “categorically rejected” what he called “a misleading narrative”. He said Samwu had indicated that it would indeed protest if a wage settlement for workers was not reached, but it was a coincidence that the timing of its threat to strike was during the summit. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Alex Patrick at News24 (subscription / trial registration required). Read too, Union celebrates R10bn deal for Johannesburg workers, but city admits no budget exists yet, at The Citizen. Read Samwu’s statement on the agreement with the Joburg metro, at SA Labour News
Glencore-Merafe to start with retrenchments at ferrochrome smelters in ‘next couple of weeks’ Miningmx reports that retrenchments will be commenced with at the idled Wonderkop and Boeshoek smelters operated by the Glencore-Merafe Chrome Joint Venture (JV). Some employees at Glencore’s Alloys division would also be affected, the mining and commodities marketing group announced on Tuesday. Merafe has a 20.5% stake in the JV, while Glencore owns the balance. According to trade union Solidarity, some 2,425 direct jobs and more than 17,000 indirect jobs will be affected. Glencore said, however, that its Lion smelter would continue to be operational. Boshoek and Wonderkop will be placed on care and maintenance. The layoffs come in the absence of a new electricity tariff that was under negotiation with the SA government. Glencore laid the retrenchments at the door of government which owns power utility Eskom. “Despite its (the JV’s) engagement with Government no viable interventions or solutions have been presented to address the severe challenges impacting our ferrochrome operations, the most pressing requirement being the provision of a competitive energy tariff,” Glencore indicated. “As a result, in the absence of any viable solution from the Government, retrenchments will commence within the next couple of weeks,” it added. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by David McKay at Miningmx. Read too, Energy tariff impasse threatens 2,500 jobs in chrome industry, at BusinessDay (subscriber access only) Workers secure jobs amid transition to insourcing at Optimum Colliery Sunday World reports that over 500 workers at Optimum Colliery are set to retain their jobs as Liberty Coal transitions its mining operations to Liberty Mine Services (LMS), a subsidiary within the Liberty group. The company announced on Friday that LMS will take over as the principal mining contractor, as the crucial next step in a long-term plan to stabilise the mine. For the workforce, the change comes with a major reassurance that the vast majority of employees will keep their jobs through transfer directly to the new contractor. That stability comes in the form of a so-called Section 197 agreement, which governs the automatic transfer of employees when a business is sold or, as in this case, when a service is insourced. Liberty Coal said the agreement covered approximately 530 workers currently employed by the outgoing contractors, Salaria and the Veralogix group, and the transition was already underway. According to the company, the first group of employees has been onboarded with LMS, with the remainder set to join the new subsidiary by the end of the month. For employees, the announcement ends a period of uncertainty. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Setumo Stone at Sunday World Other general posting(s) relating to mining
Psychologists dispatched to a Tsolo school after principal’s arrest for kidnapping, attempted rape SABC News reports that the Eastern Cape Department of Education has confirmed that a team of psychologists has been dispatched to a school in Tsolo. According to provincial spokesperson Malibongwe Mtima, this comes after allegations that the school principal allegedly kidnapped two learners from the hostel, pointed a firearm at them and allegedly tried to rape them. The principal was arrested and is facing charges including kidnapping, attempted murder and rape, and possession of an unlicenced firearm. Mtima advised: “Yes, we can confirm that the principal is incarcerated as we speak. Details of his arrest are known by the department as we got them today at the court. The kids are at safe home and getting psychosocial support, they are also writing their examination.” He added: “A fact-finding mission by the department is being conducted by the provincial psychologist and the social worker to ensure that the department also gets its side of the story.” Read the original of the short report in the above regard at SABC News Other internet posting(s) in this news category
GEMS slammed by unions for 9.8% increase in 2026 member contributions News24 reports that the Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS), which has more than 2 million beneficiaries, has announced that member contributions for 2026 will increase by a weighted average of 9.8%. The Public Servants Association (PSA), which represents about 245 000 current and former government workers, slammed the increase, calling it a reckless move that will devastate the financial stability of hundreds of thousands of public servants. The trade union advised that it was actively exploring litigation options to challenge the increase and hold GEMS accountable for breaching its mandate. The PSA urged the Minister of Public Service and Administration and the Minister of Finance to intervene as a matter of urgency to restore fairness and affordability. The Federation of Unions of SA (Fedusa) and its public sector-affiliated unions also rejected the 9.8% increase. However, GEMS’ principal officer Dr Stan Moloabi said: “This adjustment is explicitly positioned as the necessary financial input to deliver value, access and ensure long-term sustainability.” In comparison, Discovery Health Medical Scheme will institute a weighted average increase of 7.2% in member contributions in 2026, though these will only start from 1 April. Bonitas will raise its 2026 member contributions by an average of 8.8%, while Medshield and Bestmed will increase theirs by 7.5% and 6.8% respectively. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Garth Theunissen at News24 Business (subscription / trial registration required). Read the PSA’s press statement at PSA News Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Former NW Development Corp CFO imprisoned for using fake permanent residence permit The Star reports that the sentencing of former North West Development Corporation (NWDC) chief financial officer Kudakwashe Mpofu, whose rise to one of the province’s most powerful financial posts was built on fraud, has been welcomed. Mpofu, 33, was sentenced by the Molopo Specialised Commercial Crimes Court to three years direct imprisonment after admitting he used a fake SA permanent residence permit to secure employment at the state-owned entity. He received an additional three-year suspended sentence. According to reports, Mpofu first joined the NWDC in 2021 as an asset manager after submitting falsified documents during the recruitment process. He was later promoted to CFO in June 2023, a role that placed him in charge of managing millions in public funds. Prosecutors told the court that investigations by the Hawks confirmed that the permit he used had never been issued by Home Affairs. Over the course of his employment, Mpofu earned more than R3 million. He pleaded guilty to both counts of fraud. The DA’s Jóhni Steenkamp pointed out that the case pointed to possible weaknesses, or negligence, within the NWDC’s human resources, verification processes, and oversight structures. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Masabata Mkwananzi at The Star
Former minister Malusi Gigaba in the dock for alleged bribes from Guptas in Transnet corruption case BusinessDay reports that former Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) Minister Malusi Gigaba has been formally charged with corruption linked to controversial multi-billion-rand Transnet tenders for locomotives. Gigaba appeared before the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crime Court on Tuesday (18 November) along with his co-accused — former Transnet CFO Anoj Singh, former Transnet group CEO turned MK Party MP Brian Molefe, former Transnet chief procurement officer Thamsanqa Jiyane and Siyabonga Gama. “The state alleges that, during the period that Dr Gigaba was the minister of DPE, he on various occasions allegedly accepted and received undisclosed amounts of cash from members of the Gupta family which are corrupt in nature, and which he was not entitled to,” Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (Idac) spokesperson Henry Mamothame indicated. Some of the companies that won the tenders allegedly scored the big contracts after paying kickbacks to companies linked to the Guptas. In its move to charge him, Idac linked the allegations to his tenure as the minister overseeing state entities at the time. During the state capture commission led by former Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, Gigaba was painted as one of the “Gupta” ministers. He has for years rejected the accusations. Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sinesipho Schrieber at BusinessDay (subscriber access only). Read too, Malusi Gigaba faces corruption charges alongside former Transnet executives, at Cape Times. En ook, Gigaba in hof oor Transnet-bedrog, by Maroela Media Ekurhuleni council considering suspension of senior officials implicated in corruption at Madlanga Commission EWN reports that councillors in the Ekurhuleni City council deliberated on Tuesday on a proposal to suspend senior municipal officials implicated in evidence before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. The city convened an extraordinary council meeting to address the revelations of corruption within the city’s metro police department. At the centre of the allegations is suspended EMPD deputy chief, Julius Mkhwanazi, who is accused of unlawfully signing agreements with a company owned by alleged criminal Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala. It is further alleged that Mkhwanazi was protected from accountability by certain senior municipal officials. Mayor Doctor Xhakaza explained that because the implicated individuals were senior city officials and not political leaders, disciplinary action against them must first be approved by the council. “Sometimes we are viewed as delaying, but we would have to ensure that we follow the relevant processes because if we don’t, we risk jeopardising these cases," Xhakaza pointed out. Read the original of the short report in the above regard by Alpha Ramushwana at EWN Other internet posting(s) in this news category
|
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page