In our Monday roundup, see summaries
of our selection of South African labour-
related stories that have appeared since
midday on Friday, 1 September 2017.
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Public Protector demands reinstatement of four SAA whistleblowers Sunday Times reports that in a strained standoff last Monday, public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane the leadership of SA Airways (SAA) to a meeting, where she ordered them to reverse a decision to axe four employees for contravening the airline's communications policy. The delegation, which included interim CEO Musa Zwane, had apparently been shocked that the public protector would get involved in an internal labour issue. They were also surprised when their own chairwoman, Dudu Myeni, grilled them in the meeting. The four employees were fired last month after making public accusations of corruption against SAA officials. Mkhwebane's spokeswoman said the meeting had been in agreement that all disciplinary cases should be held in abeyance. She also said the public protector had become concerned when members of the SA Cabin Crew Association, who had made a protected disclosure to SAA authorities and later to Mkhwebane, had approached her office with allegations that they were being victimised. Read this report by Sabelo Skiti in full at Sunday Times Numsa welcomes public protector's SAA probe and threatens to strike over forensic report ANA reports that the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) has welcomed the public protector’s decision to investigate maladministration, corruption, and tender irregularities at SA Airways (SAA). It has also threatened strike action if the airline did not implement recommendations made in a forensic report by Open Waters on the matter, as ordered by the Labour Court. Numsa general secretary Irvin Jim drew attention on Saturday to the complaint lodged by the SA Cabin Crew Association (Sacca) after its members were victimised by management for exposing corruption at the airline. He went on to comment: “One of our shop stewards at SAA Technical (SAAT) was also suspended after he dared to speak out against corruption in the workplace. Numsa condemns SAA for punishing whistleblowers for exposing corruption at the airline. We will defend our members against victimisation and we are fighting this battle internally with SAAT management.” Numsa and Sacca will apparently be meeting with the Minister of Finance very soon to raise the issue good governance and “to call for decisive leadership and action to bring normality to SAA.” Read this report in full at eNCA Keep hands off PIC funds in bailing out bankrupt SOE's, says Saftu ANA reports the SA Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) has condemned the possible use of Public Investment Corporation (PIC) funds to bail out bankrupt state-owned enterprises (SOEs) such as SAA. Saftu said it was shocked at Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba’s statement to labour federation Cosatu that he could not guarantee that government would not attempt to use PIC funds to capitalise SOEs. The federation said in a statement on Saturday that this confirmed earlier reports “that the government wants to use workers’ money from their pension and provident funds to bail out loss-making state-owned enterprises, in particular South African Airways (SAA), which reportedly needs almost R10-billion to stabilise its cash flow and guarantee no loss of jobs.” Bailing out SOEs that had been bankrupted through mismanagement and corruption could not possibly amount to safe and well-managed use of the funds, Saftu said. Saftu indicated its support for the call by its affiliate Nupsaw for the National Treasury to refrain from using the PIC to re-finance SAA and said it wanted an immediate moratorium on any further use of Government Employee Pension Fund (GEPF) funds by the PIC “until the boards of these loss-making monoliths have been sacked and replaced by democratic and accountable representatives of the community, workers, and the country.” Read this report in full at eNCA. Read Saftu’s press statement at Saftu online Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Prisoner kills policewoman on Saturday in KwaMhlanga holding cell ANA reports that a senior policewoman was killed at the KwaMhlanga police holding cells in Mpumalanga on Saturday, allegedly by an awaiting trial female prisoner suspected to be mentally ill. A provincial police spokesman said the 48-year-old officer was killed when she and other female police officers went to the cell to provide medication and clothes to a female suspect, as per standard procedure. The suspect was being kept in a police cell after she appeared in the KwaMhlanga Magistrate’s Court on Thursday on other charges, which included assaulting another police officer. Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) spokesman Richard Mamabolo said the union was saddened by the death of the officer and demanded to know why an awaiting trial prisoner suspected to be mentally ill was kept in a police holding cell. Read this report in full at eNCA. Read too, Gevangene slaan en byt polisie-kolonel dood, at Netwerk24 (limit on access). And also, ‘Berserk’ inmate kills cop, at HTSyndication (The New Age) Slain police officers leave a legacy, Ramaphosa tells commemoration service News24 reports that Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa told an emotional crowd on Sunday that honouring the 40 slain police officers who died in 2016 was not only about loss, memory and sacrifice, but also legacy and ensuring that no other child was left orphaned by criminals. Giving an address at the SA Police Service (SAPS) national commemoration day at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, Ramaphosa said all the brave men and women who had lost their lives serving the nation should be saluted for their courage and service. He stated: “On this day, as we remember those brave men and women, as we salute them, we think with great anguish of the great loss suffered by those who were near to them. We can only imagine the agony of recollecting that morning, that day or that night when loved ones left home to serve and protect, never to return.” Police Minister Fikile Mbalula gave a heartfelt tribute, but also a stern message to criminals that police would meet them with equal power. Read this report by Alex Mitchley in full at News24. Read too, Fallen women and men in blue honoured, at SA Govt News Agency. And also, Families of cops killed in line of duty talk about their pain, at DispatchLive. As well as, Mbalula sends strong message to police killers, at SABC News Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Harmony Gold to hold memorial service on Monday for five dead miners eNCA reports that Harmony Gold is to hold a memorial service on Monday in Carletonville, west of Johannesburg, for five miners who died last week after a rockfall at the Kusasalethu mine. They were trapped underground for some days before their bodies were recovered. A full investigation will be conducted. Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane commented that the time for just talking about mine safety was over, and the deaths should be seen as a wake-up call. Read this report in full at eNCA Amcu members disrupt Kusasalethu memorial News24 reports that members of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) disrupted the memorial on Monday for the five Harmony Gold miners who died last week. They tried to block a few representatives from the other unions from speaking at the Kusasalethu mine, near Carletonville. They were singing and dancing in a small group in the far side of the tent when representatives took to the podium. The members were later addressed and asked to stop disrupting proceedings. The regional chair of Amcu pleaded with them to keep quiet and respect the proceedings. They were especially unhappy with representatives from the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM). Read a short report by Iavan Pijoos and view a video clip of happenings at News24 Zwane calls for turning point after Kusasalethu mine deaths ANA reports that Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane said on Friday that the Kusasalethu mine incident where five mineworkers lost their lives should be a “turning point” in the health and safety of the mining industry. He went on to indicate: “We will begin to be tough in exercising our powers and regulatory issues (in matters) like this. I have told the inspectors to leave no stone unturned. We want to get to the bottom of all that has happened here. We must see what management has done to remedy the situation of health and safety.” Zwane was briefing the media following his meeting with Harmony Gold’s management about the Kusasalethu accident which occurred on 25 August. Harmony’s chairperson, Patrice Mostepe, said that the deaths were totally unacceptable and that, whatever came out of the investigation, they would take full responsibility. Motsepe also said the incident might signal the end of the deep-level mining era in SA because, as investors, they were questioning themselves whether to exit the industry or stay put. Read this report in full at Mining Weekly. Read too, Deaths serve to remind industry of necessity to achieve zero harm: DMR, at Mining Weekly. And also, Motsepe: ‘We are responsible for miners who died at Harmony Gold’, at TimesLive. As well as, Motsepe: We'll close Kusasalethu if necessary, at EWN Prosecute mining companies over fatalities, NUM exhorts City Press reports that the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said after five workers were killed at Harmony Gold’s Kusasalethu mine that mining companies get away with minor sanctions over fatalities when they should face full prosecution. “Investigations are done after every incident, but we never know what happens to the reports and whether their recommendations are implemented. Reports are often referred to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for possible prosecution, but in most cases you find these companies paying just a fine when people have died,” said NUM health and safety secretary Erick Gcilitshana. He went on to say: “We acknowledge that fewer fatalities were recorded in recent years, but one life is one too many. We still don’t know what caused most of those accidents. Workers continue to die and sustain serious injuries and we don’t see mining companies being punished when found to be in the wrong.” Five mineworkers died underground following a “seismic incident” at Kusasalethu in Carletonville last Friday. “We are looking forward to the investigation, to find out what exactly triggered the seismic event that led to the loss of lives at Kusasalethu mine,” Gcilitshana said. Read this report by Poloko Tau in full at News24. See too, Parliament laments lack of safety of miners, at SABC News. And also, Kusasalethu mine deaths: Parliament extends condolences, vows inquiry, at EWN Other labour posting(s) relating to mining
Community posting(s) relating to mining
NW Premier to meet separately with Amcu, NUM and Lonmin for 'Marikana healing' Cape Times reports that North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo intends to meet Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) leader Joseph Mathunjwa over reconciliation and healing in Marikana. He said on Saturday: “I am going to be arranging a meeting with Mr Mathunjwa separately, and a meeting with the National Union of Mineworkers leader separately, and Lonmin (Platinum) separately, to discuss with them how can we bring about reconciliation, healing and renewal in Marikana; because the sooner we embark on development to deal with issues of service delivery - the housing, road, electricity, health service, education, recreational facilities - the better for our people.” There has been tension in Marikana since August 2012 when 44 people were killed in relation to labour unrest at Lonmin, but efforts to bring peace and stability have seemingly moved at a snail’s pace. On Saturday, religious leaders under the banner of the Wonderkop Pastoral Fraternal held a peace prayer day at the Wonderkop koppie where 34 mineworkers died on 16 August 2012, in an attempt to pave the way for stability and peace in Marikana. Read this report by Molaole Montsho in full at Cape Times. Read too, Urgent family matter stops Mahumapelo from attending prayer day in Wonderkop, at The Citizen. And also, Ethnic tensions threaten reconciliation efforts in Marikana, at SABC News Other internet posting(s) in this news category
‘The lions get good meat, ours is rotten’, say rescued seasonal farm workers Rapport reports that Free State Agriculture has called on the Department of Labour to introduce guidelines for the recruitment, remuneration and living conditions of seasonal workers as soon as possible. This was said to be needed to prevent issues similar to those which saw hundreds of contract workers recently being removed from three Free State farms outside Wesselsbron and Allanridge. The seasonal contract workers were apparently housed under appalling conditions. They claim they were given rotten food, unlike caged lions on the property, and were not paid. The workers had reportedly been recruited by Hendrik Reyneke, a labour broker, in North West to work on Free State farms. The farmers they worked for paid Reyneke, who in turn would pay the workers. The Hawks are investigating provisional charges of child labour and human trafficking. "No arrests have been made, but we already have a lot of information," a Hawks spokesperson said on Saturday. He added that there were similar cases, but couldn't confirm that the police had raided another farm near Hoopstad. Henk Vermeulen, head of Free State Agriculture, said Reyneke was not a member of the organisation. Read this report by Jana Smit in full at News24. Read the original of this report in Afrikaans at Rapport Other internet posting(s) in this news category
No incentive payments for Woolworths executives as profit targets not achieved BusinessLive reports that the Woolworths top management will not receive Christmas bonuses as the retailer reported its worst results in 10 years and failed to achieve profit targets. The executives and directors, including CEO Ian Moir, also missed out on share appreciation rights and part of their long-term incentives awarded in 2014 and due to vest in 2017, Woolworths’s annual report for the year to June, released on Friday, showed. The total executive wage bill for 2017 (excluding Woolworths Australasia CEO John Dixon) was just R58.5m compared with R94m in 2016. Remuneration committee chairman Tom Boardman said the retailer’s adjusted profits had not met targets and, as this condition acted as a gatekeeper for the payment of incentives, no short-term incentive payments were to be paid for financial year 2017. Read this report by Moyagabo Maake in full at BusinessLive Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Teachers implicated in 30 pregnancies of pupils at one Northern Cape school Diamond Fields Advertiser reports that a massive public outcry has erupted following reports that 30 pupils at one school in the Northern Cape have been impregnated by teachers. The provincial education department has commenced a full-scale investigation and on Thursday confirmed that the implicated teachers at the Bothitong High School in Kuruman would be placed on precautionary suspension “to ensure that they do not interfere with the credibility of our investigation”. According to reports, pupils from the school claimed that they were being paid stipends for having unprotected sex with male teachers. On Thursday, members of the public, together with unions and political parties, expressed outrage at the reports. Fikile Mtathu, provincial secretary of the SA Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu), said that the union had learned of the allegations of serious unbecoming conduct “with great shock, disappointment and disgust” and that the union strongly condemned the alleged behaviour. The union called on the provincial education department to take swift action against those found guilty and also indicated that it had instituted its own investigation to ensure that none of its members were involved. Read this report by Patsy Beangstrom in full at Diamond Fields Advertiser. Read Sadtu’s press statement at Politicsweb. See too, Investigators to probe sexual misconduct allegations at Northern Cape school, at EWN. And also, 'Paedophile teachers turning girl learners into sex slaves': ANCWL, at News24 Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Expect taxi fare increases of between R1 and R5 following petrol price hike News24 reports that the SA National Taxi Council (Santaco) warned on Sunday that taxi fares would possibly increase by between R1 and R5 per journey, depending on the region, following a petrol price increase of 67c per litre. Santaco spokesperson Thabisho Molelekwa said the industry would try its best to reduce the blow to consumers while keeping operators afloat and also added: “We all know that the economy is struggling which increases the pressure on all fronts for taxi operators. Taxi operators need to navigate increased fuel prices, maintenance cost, paying vehicle instalments while keeping prices affordable.” In 2016, a Statistics SA report found that 51.0% of households were dependent on taxis for transport. The ‘Measuring Household Expenditure on Public Transport’ report found that 66.6% of the population spent more than 20% of their monthly income on public transport. Read this report by James de Villiers in full at News24. See too, Santaco warns taxi fare hike on the cards, at EWN Other internet posting(s) in this news category
See our listing of links to labour articles published on the internet from Friday, 1 September to Sunday, 3 September 2017 at SA Labour News
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