TUESDAY, 1 AUGUST 2017

In our Tuesday roundup, below are summaries of our selection of South African labour stories that have been published since midday on Monday, 31 July 2017.

MINING LABOUR

ANC slaps Zwane down on Mining Charter, extends olive branch to mining sector
BusinessLive reports that the ANC has extended an olive branch to the mining sector, cutting Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) Minister Mosebenzi Zwane down to size as the battle over the contentious reviewed Mining Charter continues to simmer.  The party is scrambling to arrest the continued slide in the economy, and last weekend spent yet another three-day lekgotla focusing on stimulating growth.  Zwane recently released the third version of the Mining Charter after very little consultation, which angered the industry and resulted in legal action against the DMR.  Addressing journalists on Monday after the policy conference, Mantashe said:  "We must deal with the industry … not in a way that appears to be punitive.  Mining is not a short-term sector … it is a long-term sector … we must create an environment for that industry to perform."  Part of this approach would be to finalise the Charter as well as the Mineral Petroleum and Resources Development Act.  The ANC’s lekgotla also agreed that sections of the Charter had to be reworked.  Mantashe denied that this undermined Zwane.
Read this report by Natasha Marrian in full at BusinessLive.  Read too, Phiri describes ANC Charter ‘help’ for Zwane as “encouraging”, at Miningmx.  And also, We’re not undermining Minister Zwane, says Mantashe, at EWN

RBPlat closure of unprofitable BRPM shaft means more mining job loses
Miningmx reports that Royal Bafokeng Platinum (RBPlat) is to close an unprofitable shaft at its Bafokeng Rasimone Platinum Mine (BRPM) which it shares in joint venture with Anglo American Platinum (Amplats).  RBPlat alerted the market in its 2016 year-end results in February that a restructuring of BRPM was on the cards amid a sluggish market for PGMs.  Tuesday’s announcement details a plan in which the South shaft UG2 production sections will be shut and some 60% of its employees redeployed to mine higher grade sections at the mine’s South and North shafts.  There will be a reduction of 636 employees at BRPM as a result of the restructuring of which 116 employees will be relocated to the Styldrift project.  The employment of the balance of some 520 employees, including 213 contractors, will be terminated.  This comes after similar layoff announcements recently at AngloGold Ashanti and Bokoni Platinum Mines (another of Amplats’ joint ventures) which could account for up to 12,000 job losses.
Read this report by David McKay in full at Miningmx

Chamber, NUM round on Zwane fearing 100,000 direct jobs at risk
Miningmx reports that the Chamber of Mines of SA said on Monday that as many as 100,000 direct and 200,000 indirect jobs could be at risk in the short to medium-term in the local mining sector owing to a deterioration in regulatory and operating conditions.  These encompassed decreased productivity and inappropriate work stoppages.  Responding to a press statement by the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), which called on the ANC to denounce job losses in the sector, the Chamber said the redraft of the Mining Charter could heap further pain on the sector.  The NUM blamed the private sector for maximising profit-taking over workers following announcements of some 8,500 potential job losses at AngloGold Ashanti and 2,651 at Bokoni Platinum Mines.  The Chamber said, however, the mining sector had not been supported.  The NUM also called for the resignation of Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane.  NUM president Piet Matosa said to City Press:  “We really feel the man is not for the industry.  We will consider joining hands with those that are not happy with him … We are really about to ask the ANC and the president to remove him if he won’t resign himself.”
Read this report by David McKay in full at Miningmx.  See too, Tot 200,000 kan hul werk in mynbou verloor, at Netwerk24 (limit on access).  And also, NUM wants President Zuma to remove Minister Zwane, at Business Report.  Read the NUM’s press statement at Cosatu Today.  Read the Chamber’s press statement at SA Labour News

NUM to march in North West on Thursday against job cuts
Business Report writes that the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) is planning to march to AngloGold Ashanti’s (AGA’s) Vaal Reefs offices, near Orkney in the North West, on Thursday to fight against the retrenchments in the mining industry.  NUM general secretary David Sipunzi said on Monday that close to 20,000 mineworkers would be affected by looming job cuts in the industry in circumstances where the sector had shed more than 80,000 jobs in the past five years.  “Capitalism uses retrenchments to maximise profits when their pockets are becoming dry the first thing that comes into their minds is to retrench workers.  It is on that basis that we are saying that workers are victims of monopoly capital,” Sipunzi said.  AGA recently announced the possible retrenchment of 8,5000 employees amid plans to place the loss making Kopanag Mine and the Savuka section of its Tau Tona on care and maintenance.
Based on a report by Dineo Faku at Business Report.  Read too, Retrenching 8,500 SA workers will cost AngloGold Ashanti R625m, at Fin24

Postings on Mining Charter / Moratorium on Mining Licenses
-  Mining service providers in doubt over onerous charter provisions, at BusinessLive

Other general posting(s) related to mining
-  World’s diamond industry momentum beginning to normalise, at Miningmx
-  Coal of Africa casts about for second acquisition, at BusinessLive
-  Pan African Resources sells Phoenix Platinum Mining to Sylvania Platinum, at Mining Review

MARIKANA DEATHS / FARLAM INQUIRY REPORT

Marikana lawyers, government working on compensation
ANA reports that discussions to compensate Marikana mineworkers were continuing with the State, their lawyer indicated on Monday.  “We are busy in discussions with the State in relation to quantifying our claims.  The State has conceded that they are going to make [the] payments, all we need to do is to differentiate the extent of compensations vis-à-vis the extent of injuries,” said Andries Nkome.  President Jacob Zuma announced in December 2016, that government was ready to pay compensation.  “The SAPS [South African Police Service] has instructed its attorneys to make offers of payments in full settlement of claims, for the claims where quantification were complete and are not under criminal investigation,” he announced in a statement.  Government has offered the families and victims of the Marikana massacre just over R1.1-billion in compensation.
A short report is at Mining Weekly

Lawyer for Marikana murder accused granted time for review application
EWN reports that the lawyer representing 18 Marikana miners facing charges of murder have until the end of September to file a review application.  The miners are accused of killing police, security guards and non-striking workers in the days leading up to the Marikana massacre in August 2012.  One of the original 19 accused has since passed away and another is serving a sentence for an unrelated matter.  Seventeen miners appeared in the Rustenburg Magistrates’ Court on Monday.  The purpose of the review application would be to consider whether it was reasonable for the National Prosecuting Authority to have come to the conclusion that charges against the accused should not be withdrawn but should be proceeded with.
A short report by Gia Nicolaides is at EWN.  See too, Marikana accused’s trial postponed, on page 2 of The Star of 1 August 2017.  And also, Marikana mineworkers’ murder trail put on hold indefinitely, on page 6 of Sowetan of 1 August 2017

Other internet posting(s) in this news category
-  Eighteen men accused of killings in Marikana want charges dropped, at SABC News
-  DA says Marikana murderers 'must face the full might of the law', at eNCA
-  ‘Case against Marikana leaders smacks of hypocrisy’, says Right2Know, at BusinessLive

INDUSTRIAL ACTION / STRIKES / LOCK-OUTS

Unions consulting on revised NHLS offer prior to meeting of bargaining forum on Wednesday
TimesLive reports that the strike at the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) entered its fourth day on Monday as unions presented a revised wage offer to their members.  The strike, which began last Wednesday, has crippled the service.  As a result, the NHLS has been using private laboratory services for emergency tests required by hospitals.  Apart from wages, the National Education Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) has also called for the NHLS to be reintegrated into the Department of Health.  Nehawu general secretary Zola Saphetha said a revised offer was put on the table for consideration by unions during a meeting on Friday.  “The union is currently embarking on a consultation process with its members for a mandate.  While under the mandating process‚ the strike continues in full swing‚” Saphetha said on Monday.  A national bargaining forum of the NHLS will convene on Wednesday at which a final decision would be taken about the offer and the strike.  Tahir Maepa of the Public Servants Association (PSA) said the union was consulting with members.
Read this report by Ernest Mabuza in full at TimesLive

NHLS chief executive condemns Nehawu strike
The Star reports that Professor Shabir Madhi, acting CE of the National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS), on Monday condemned an indication by the National Education Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) that it would be intensifying its strike action.  He said that the biggest obstacle faced by national health laboratories was that unions were undermining the South African public.  He also rebuked Nehawu for what he said had been vandalism of NHLS property by union members during the strike.  The union began the strike last week after deadlocked negotiations with the employer and has vowed to intensify the strike should its members reject the 7.3% offer from the NHLS.  Five thousand workers are currently on strike, and both the NHLS and Nehawu have conceded that the action is gravely affecting services.  Nehawu has made allegations that NHLS board members have interests in the private laboratories used by the state entity and it has demanded full disclosure of all the monies paid to such laboratories prior and during the strike.  But, Madhi slammed this contention and said it was a useless attempt “to deceive the public that there are other vested interests at play.”
Read this report by Khaya Koko in full at The Star

Month left before strike at printer hits SA's supply of money
Cape Times reports that, while the ongoing strike at the South African Bank Note Company, which produces notes for the SA Reserve Bank (SARB), will not be felt immediately, the economy will not be sustained if it goes on for a month.  Fikile Mano, spokesperson for the striking workers, said that the effects would not be felt right away since money was printed ahead of time, but the excess was not inexhaustible.  He indicated that workers in the canteen and printing departments were unhappy about wage increases and their medical aid subsidy.  As such, the printing machines and tea services had come to a standstill, leaving the SARB with about a month’s worth of money to feed into the economy.  But SARB spokesperson Jabulani Sikhakhane said there was no need to panic as the strike would not have any effect on the availability of bank notes “because we have sufficient amounts in stock to meet the requirements of the economy.”  He said they remained hopeful that a mutually beneficial solution would be found through the normal processes of negotiations.
Read this report by Matlhatsi Dibakwane in full at Cape Times

LABOUR MARKET / JOBS

IDC funding creates 18,206 new jobs and preserves another 2,675 jobs
Business Report writes that a total of 18,206 new jobs are expected to be created and a further 2,675 jobs that would otherwise have been lost retained as a result of financing approvals in the year to March by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC).  CE Geoffrey Qhena said on Monday that supporting the creation of black industrialist remained a strategic imperative for the state-owned development finance institution.  Approvals for the programme increased 68% in the year to March to R4.7bn in 83 transactions, while youth-empowered and youth-owned businesses increased 137% to R2.3bn in 52 transactions.  Support for women-empowered businesses almost tripled to R3.2bn from R1.1bn.  Qhena also said the process to conclude the restructuring of the Scaw Group was being finalised and was expected to result in the introduction of strategic equity partners for its main operating divisions.
Read this report by Roy Cokayne in full at Business Report

Other internet posting(s) in this news category
-  6,200 call centre jobs created in Cape Town, at EWN
-  Tourism to add 300,000 jobs by 2026, at Engineering News

RECRUITMENT / STAFFING / INSOURCING

ANC wants government to consider quotas on employment of foreign nationals
EWN reports that that the African National Congress (ANC) wants government to consider imposing quotas of the number of foreign nationals that companies in different sectors can employ.  The party’s national executive committee (NEC) decided in its lekgotla over the weekend that local people should not be losing jobs to foreign nationals.  The NEC’s proposal is that companies in different sectors should be given ratios of the number of foreign people they can hire.  ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe commented:  "If you go to a restaurant today, you are likely to be served by a waiter is not South African."
Based on a report by Stephen Grootes at EWN.  Read too, Unions welcome restrictions on employing foreigners, at The Citizen

EDUCATION

Coloured teachers at 28 Joburg schools in go-slow over black principal
IOL News reports that thousands of Johannesburg pupils did not have classes in 28 schools on Monday as the racial storm over the appointment of a black principal boiled over.  Coloured teachers in the south of Joburg embarked on a go-slow in solidarity with parents of Klipspruit West Secondary who had shut down the school last week demanding that a coloured or Indian be appointed head of the school.  The group of parents from the mostly coloured area locked the gates and prevented learners from entering the school in protest against the new appointment.  They demanded that the department rescind the appointment in favour of a coloured incumbent.  Gauteng MEC for Education, Panyaza Lesufi, condemned the go-slow as all the concerned parties were working to resolve the impasse.  Charis Pretorius, spokesperson for the Greater Eldorado Park Business Forum, said the community was hoping to meet Lesufi to hand over a list of proposed resolutions.  She added that a media briefing would be held on Tuesday at the Klipspruit school.
Read this report by Tankiso Maketha and Masabata Mkwananzi in full at Cape Times.  See too, 28 'coloured' schools in Gauteng go slow over black principal appointment, at News24.  And also, Gauteng education department appeals to teachers not to join go-slow, at EWN

Other internet posting(s) in this news category
-  Sadtu in Gauteng calls off protest over district manager transfers in Johannesburg South, at News24
-  Undue union influence and lack of knowledge typify teaching, CDE report notes, at BusinessLive
-  SA Council for Education (SACE) is not fulfilling mandate, report indicates, at BusinessLive

MISCONDUCT / DISCIPLINARY ACTION / CORRUPTION

Eastern Cape Hawks boss to face sex pest disciplinary inquiry
DispatchLive reports that the head of the Hawks in the Eastern Cape, Major-General Nyameko Nogwanya, has been stripped of all his powers and authority and is to face a disciplinary hearing for allegedly twice sexually harassing a female staff member.  A letter of suspension signed by the acting national commander of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigative Unit (Hawks), Lieutenant-General Yolisa Matakata,  states that all “powers and authority vested in [Nogwanya]…shall be held in abeyance” pending the outcome of a disciplinary process.  The suspension became effective from 25 July.  Nogwanya is accused of sexually harassing Hawks Eastern Cape spokeswoman Captain Anelisa Feni twice – once in his beachfront hotel room last year and a second time on the fourth floor of the Hawks offices in the East London CBD where Feni works.  Nogwanya has denied any wrongdoing and has alleged that Feni was being used in a smear campaign by people who wanted to see him fired.
Read this report by Malibongwe Dayimani in full at DispatchLive

Other internet posting(s) in this news category
-  Hlaudi Motsoeneng challenges dismissal at CCMA on Tuesday, at SABC News

OTHER REPORTS

Unions want Faith Muthambi to pay back wasted expenditure
The Star reports that the SA Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) has called for action against Public Service and Administration Minister Faith Muthambi, saying she must explain the R300,000 she spent to fly 30 of her friends and relatives to her department’s budget vote in Parliament.  The Cosatu affiliate said on Monday that Muthambi must pay back the money.  Sadtu general secretary Mugwena Maluleka said the union was perturbed that the minister would waste taxpayers’ money when public servants were being told to tighten their belts.  He noted that this happened at a time when the union was approaching wage negotiations and charged that it was unacceptable that public servants, who were struggling to go to work every day, would have a minister who spends money like she did not care.  Spokesman for labour federation Cosatu, Sizwe Pamla, said they were in a state of disbelief about what Muthambi had done and they wanted action against her and an investigation into allegations of nepotism.  This related to the employment of Hlaudi Motsoeneng’s daughter in her office and a police officer as an administrator.
Read this report by Siyabonga Mkhwanazi in full at The Star.  See too, ‘Spendthrift’ Faith must pay up, says Cosatu, at The Citizen

Other internet posting(s) in this news category
-  Cosatu slams Orania residents’ plan for their own currency, at The New Age

WEB LINKS TO LABOUR NEWS ARTICLES ON MONDAY, 31 JULY 2017

See our listing of links to labour articles published on the internet on Monday, 31 July 2017 at SA Labour News

For daily reports, the following are among the sites routinely scanned:
Business Day, The Times, The Star, IOL News, The New Age, Sowetan, News24, The Citizen,
Fin24, Business Report, Moneyweb, Mail & Guardian, SANews.gov.za, Politicsweb, BizNews
Daily Maverick, Eyewitness News, Cosatu Today, Mining Weekly, Miningmx, Engineering News