In our Tuesday roundup, see summaries
of our selection of South African labour-
related stories that have appeared since
midday on Monday, 4 September 2017.
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Cape Town ambulance staff forced to flee after Rocklands attack Cape Times reports that Emergency Medical Services staff were unable to reach a patient in Mitchells Plain on Saturday and had to leave the area when they and police came under attack in Rocklands. EMS spokesperson Robert Daniels said: “Our members attended to the incident after receiving the call at 11.48pm and were on scene at 12.14am. The police vehicle escort was stoned and shot at, and our members declared the area unsafe and stood down.” The patient was fortunately later treated by emergency staff and taken to hospital. Mitchells Plain Community Policing Forum chairperson Abe Isaacs said the incident was an isolated one and that it was residents' responsibility to make sure emergency services could operate without fear. Read this report by Dominic Adriaanse in full at Cape Times Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Pay mineworkers decent salaries, Zwane tells Motsepe at Kusasalethu memorial The Star reports that Minister of Mineral Resources, Mosebenzi Zwane, has challenged mining mogul and billionaire Patrice Motsepe to consider paying his mineworkers higher salaries as he does for players at Mamelodi Sundowns. Zwane was among the keynote speakers at the memorial service on Monday for five mineworkers who perished after being trapped for days underground at Harmony Gold’s Kusasalethu mine. Motsepe, who owns Mamelodi Sundowns soccer team, is also the chairperson of Harmony’s board. Zwane said it was unacceptable that mineworkers were still subjected to poverty and dangerous working conditions while mine bosses lived a life of luxury. He then challenged Motsepe, whom he said he trusted, to change the status quo faced by the industry. “We will not be free until the last shack is eradicated and workers own mines,” Zwane also said. Read this report by Lindile Sifile in full at The Star. Read too, Minister tells Patrice Motsepe to pay Kusasalethu miners 'decent salaries', at News24. And also, Zwane: No true freedom until workers own mines, at EWN Families seek answers after fatal Kusasalethu mining accident SABC News reports that families of the five mineworkers who died recently at the Kusasalethu mine want answers from Harmony Gold management. The miners were trapped following a seismic event which caused a rock fall. Their bodies were subsequently recovered. A memorial service for the five was held on Monday at the Kusasalethu Sports Stadium. James Setlhafuno, whose brother was among the dead, spoke on behalf of all five families: "As the families we have questions that need answers. We asking ourselves that where these men were working why was there no escape route, that when there's an incident like this they would have been able to escape through this escape route." On Sunday, Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources said the use of technology to detect seismic activity should be explored in order to save mineworkers' lives. A short report by Ditaba Tsotetsi is at SABC News. Read too, Dead miners’ families searching for answers, on page 2 of Sowetan of 5 September 2017. And also, Harmony Gold promises speedy probe into Kusasalethu mine tragedy, at EWN Ugly union rivalry disrupts memorial for Kusasalethu miners The Star reports that the memorial service on Monday for five Kusasalethu mineworkers for a while degenerated into chaos as members of opposing unions exchanged insults and sang songs that disrupted speakers. The battle between the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) and the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) reared its ugly head as members sat on different sides of the marquee. VIPs, who including Minerals Minister Mosebenzi Zwane, Harmony Gold chairperson Patrice Motsepe and Amcu president Joseph Mathunjwa, as well as grieving families, sat in the middle. Chaos erupted before NUM’s deputy president, Joseph Montisetsi, was supposed to take to the podium as Amcu members started to sing struggle songs in their corner. NUM’s health and safety chairperson Peter Bailey spoke on Montisetsi behalf and didn’t mince his words, saying: “If we carry on like this we would not be showing respect to the deceased, their families and government.” There was less disruption when Amcu’s Joseph Mathunjwa took to the podium. Order had been restored by the time Motsepe spoke. Read this report by Lindile Sifile in full at The Star. Read too, Thousands attend memorial for dead Kusasalethu miners, at The New Age Mineral resources minister launches investigation into deadly Kusasalethu mining accident ANA reports that Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane has instructed that no stone should be left unturned in getting to the cause of the accident which claimed the lives of five mineworkers at Harmony Gold’s Kusasalethu mine last week. He indicated in a statement: “This should be a turning point in as far as accidents and fatalities at our mines are concerned. The investigation into the fall-of-ground accident has commenced, starting with an in-loco inspection immediately after our briefing earlier.” Five employees were killed, with the bodies of the last two miners only being recovered on Thursday, almost a week after the accident. A short report is at Mining Weekly Well-known Brits businessman arrested for illegal mining Caxton News Service reports that a well-known Brits businessman, Johan Kirchner, and his accomplice have been arrested in connection with illegal mining. According to a police spokesperson, Kirchner and his accomplice, Justice Mogale, were arrested during a raid by the Limpopo provincial unit of organised crime. Unprocessed chrome loaded on four trucks was confiscated during the raid, which was part of an operation to fight illegal mining in the Burgersfort and Lebowakgomo areas. Kirchner and Mogale were released on R2,000 bail each when they appeared at Limpopo Magistrates’ Court on Monday. The case was postponed to 16 October. This short report by Deon van Huizen is at The Citizen Other labour / community posting(s) relating to mining
Western Cape women farmworkers protest labour law violations GroundUp reports that on the last day of women’s month, 31 August, more than 200 women farm workers marched to the provincial legislature in Cape Town and then to the Department of Labour. The protest was organised by the Women on Farms Project (WFP), a non-governmental organisation that promotes the rights of women who work in commercial agriculture in the Western and Northern Cape. The march followed a presentation by WFP of recent research on violations of labour law on commercial farms. The study used information from 343 questionnaires completed by women farmworkers. It found that 75% of seasonal workers in the sample were not paid the minimum wage. Farm workers also reported health and sanitation concerns. 72% of women seasonal workers indicated there was a lack of toilet facilities where they worked, and that they were forced to use “a bush or a secluded spot”. The study concluded that “farmers are systematically violating laws that were introduced to protect and advance the rights of farm workers”. The Department of Labour responded to the protesters, stating: “We are listening, and we will respond …Thank you for your unity, and thank you for standing up for your rights.” Read this informative report by Laura Bratton in full at GroundUp Other internet posting(s) in this news category
City of Joburg condemns service disruption caused by former Jozi@Work workers ANA reports that a large group of disgruntled former Jozi@Work workers on Friday disrupted service delivery in Johannesburg by damaging infrastructure and littering extensively. On Sunday, they allegedly emptied and smashed concrete and metal rubbish cans in the streets. City of Joburg’s MMC for Environment and Infrastructure Services, Nico de Jager, on Monday condemned the disruption of service delivery, saying that anyone vandalising the city would face the full might of the law. He indicated that Pikitup staff had tried to clean the mess left behind over the course of the past three days, but were prevented from doing so by the protestors. As a result, Joubert Park and Rissik Street in Braamfontein were still badly affected. In February, Joburg Mayor Herman Mashaba announced the cancellation of the R1 billion co-production Jozi@Work programme, which had been spearheaded by the previous administration, saying that it was littered with patronage. Jozi@Work was a programme designed to allow communities to partner with the city in the delivery of municipal services in their neighbourhoods and was launched in September 2014. Read this report in full at The Citizen
Ramaphosa's alleged extramarital affairs is a silly non-scandal, says Cosatu News24 reports that trade union federation Cosatu said on Monday that it remained fully behind Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa in his quest to become the ANC's next president. It dismissed Ramaphosa’s alleged extramarital affairs as “silly” and as “a matter between him and his family”. In a statement, spokesperson Sizwe Pamla said its decision to endorse Ramaphosa was never based on Ramaphosa's strict moral attitude or puritanical qualities. "We are supporting him guided by the fight against corruption, ANC unity and defending and preserving the anti- Imperialistic character of the ANC," Pamla said, adding that the allegations were a “non-scandal”. In a Sunday report, Sunday Independent linked Ramaphosa to at least eight extra marital affairs. Ramaphosa has denied the claims, but admitted to one affair which he said ended eight years ago. Read this report by Mahlatse Gallens in full at News24. Read Cosatu’s press statement at Cosatu Today. See too, We’re not electing a pope, say Cosatu and ANC chief whip on Ramaphosa affair, at BusinessLive. And also, 'The damage has already been done' says Vavi on Ramaphosa, at eNCA Other internet posting(s) in this news category
SAB entrepreneurship campaign to create 10,000 jobs by 2021 Fin24 reports that South African Breweries (SAB) announced on Monday it would help create jobs in SA and increase opportunities for entrepreneurs to become part of its supply chain through its key entrepreneurship programmes. SAB said it has laid the foundation to support entrepreneurs and create a total of 10,000 jobs in SA by 2021 using its entrepreneurship programmes, namely SAB KickStart, SAB Foundation, SAB Thrive and SAB Accelerator, as well as its agriculture programmes to grow emerging farmers. Ricardo Tadeu, zone president for AB InBev Africa and SAB, said the company strongly believed entrepreneurship was the most appropriate response to the unemployment issue and would help to galvanise the economy. He stated: “We recognise that job creation is top of mind amongst South Africans. We will do this through a range of initiatives, including providing real, authentic and sustainable jobs that we can measure going forward.” The commitment to create 10,000 jobs is over and above the commitments that SAB agreed on last year with government after the business combination between AB InBev and SABMiller. Read this report in full at Fin24 Other internet posting(s) in this news category
City of Joburg employees livid over docking of pay for outstanding municipal bills The Citizen reports that a row has erupted between City of Johannesburg employees, most of them members of the SA Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) and the DA-led administration, over an alleged unilateral decision to dock their salaries. Several employees, most of them lowly paid with an average gross salary of about R10,000, have spoken about their shock when their salary advice slips for the past three months showed deductions between R250 to R2,000 for outstanding water bills. Samwu regional secretary for Joburg region, Bafana Zungu, confirmed that the members approached the union’s offices and requested an intervention, as the deductions were never thoroughly explained. The city’s Luyanda Mfeka said: “A total of 2,971 employees owes the City R50 million in excess of 90 days for municipal services, and they currently don’t have acknowledgement of debt to service the arrears.” She claimed workers were given an opportunity to make arrangements. Some insiders have suggested the City’s hasty decision to collect the R50 million was because the City’s books were currently not balancing. Read this report by Gosebo Mathope in full at The Citizen Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Two Northern Cape teachers on attempted rape and sexual assault charges to apply for bail on Tuesday TimesLive reports that two teachers from the Bothithong High School in the Northern Cape (NC), arrested for sexual crimes, were on Tuesday expected to appear in the Kuruman Magistrate’s Court to apply for bail. This would be the second appearance for the 53-year-old and his 35-year-old colleague since their arrest on Friday. The one teacher faces a charge of sexual assault of a 15-year-old pupil, while the other faces a charge of attempted rape of an 18-year-old. Reports surfaced last week that the school where they were employed had in the last few years seen a spike in the number of learners falling pregnant‚ with some alleging that their teachers had fathered the children. The provincial education department could not be immediately reached for comment on the progress on its investigation into the allegations. This short report by Naledi Shange is at TimesLive. See too, Two NC teachers in court on charges of sexual assault, attempting to rape pupils, at News24. And also, 'Paedophile teachers turning girl learners into sex slaves': ANCWL, at News24 Absent teachers ‘a serious problem’ for the public education system The New Age reports that an average of 10% of teachers are absent daily at most South African public schools, which means that at a 40-classroom school, four classrooms remain unsupervised or other teachers have to step in. Sick leave is the biggest and main contributor at 66%. Funerals contribute 13% to the reasons why teachers do not go to work, followed by special leave to attend to sick family members. The national department of basic education has recognised absenteeism as “a serious problem”. The problem is persistent at both primary and high schools. A recent Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) report indicated that one-third of teachers reported absent during 2014. “Absenteeism of 20 days or more was reported predominately among whites (21.4%), those aged 18-24 years (39.2%), teaching in urban informal areas (17.1%) and in the Northern Cape (28.4%).” An earlier study commissioned by Unicef found that schools in poorer areas suffered the most. Read this report by Hloni Mashigo in full at The New Age Other internet posting(s) in this news category
Hatfield car guards certified to fight crime after attending course Pretoria News reports that months of hard work and determination paid off for 40 informal car guards this week when they received certificates after completing a course in crime prevention. The guards, who operate in the Hatfield area and around the University of Pretoria, were awarded their certificates during a graduation ceremony at the university. The certificates were handed to them by Brooklyn Police Station commander Brigadier Kushie Nair, who took the initiative by establishing a car guard forum in January this year. The guards attended crime prevention meetings and training on Thursday mornings, which were presented by the university’s community engagement department. The training sessions covered numerous life skills subjects, including anger management, leadership skills, dress for success, how to budget, substance abuse and basic hygiene. The guards have elected their own president and chairperson, who represent them on the Brooklyn Community Police Forum (CPF) where they actively take part in crime prevention discussions. Read this report by Zelda Venter in full at Pretoria News. Read too, How much money we tip car guards in SA: poll, at BusinessTech Other internet posting(s) in this news category
ILC threatens court action to prevent GEPF money being used for SAA debt TimesLive reports that the Independent Labour Caucus (ILC)‚ a collection of 12 unions‚ is objecting to the possible use of the state employees' pension fund to bail out South African Airways (SAA). SAA owes R6.8 billion to banks‚ payable at the end of September‚ with several banks refusing to extend repayment terms. The accumulated funds of the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) are invested through the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) and it is this that might be used to pay the airline's debt. The ILC includes teachers union Naptosa and health services union Hospersa. It has threatened court action should fund trustees approve the use of PIC funds for SAA debt and has pointed out that trustees of pension funds have to be independent and act in the best interests of their members. The organisation has written in this regard to the GEPF’s board of trustees‚ the Minister of Finance Malusi Gigaba and Deputy Minister of Finance Sfiso Buthelezi‚ who chairs the PIC board. The ILC has noted that SAA has a bad business record. Read this report by Katharine Child in full at TimesLive Other internet posting(s) in this news category
No out for Hlaudi any more in Solidarity’s case to reclaim SABC 8’s legal costs Maroela Media reports that Hlaudi Motsoeneng, former SA Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) COO, has run out of options in trying to evade the court for the unlawful dismissal of the so-called ‘SABC 8’ journalists and must again appear in court on 6 September. Neither Motsoeneng, nor his legal representatives, attended the previous court proceedings on 15 August 2017, without any apparent reason. But, according to trade union Solidarity’s Francois Redelinghuys, the judge on 15 August ruled that the cost order hearing concerning the SABC 8 matter will continue whether or not Motsoeneng is present on 6 September. “This time there is no out any more. Hlaudi has been delaying matters and has been dodging the court since March this year and for this reason it cannot be delayed any further,” Redelinghuys said. Solidarity contends that Motsoeneng’s controversial ban on the broadcasting of protest actions led directly to the unlawful firing of the SABC 8, who have since been reinstated by the Labour Court. Solidarity wants Motsoeneng to be held personally liable for the legal costs thereof. Read this report in full in Afrikaans at Maroela Media
See our listing of links to labour articles published on the internet on Monday, 4 September 2017 at SA Labour News
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