Latest news with #Cosatu
IOL News
2 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Public Sector Pension Bill aims to simplify payments of post-retirement benefits for public servants
The National Assembly has approved the Public Sector Pension and Related Payments Bill, aimed at simplifying pension payments for public servants, Image: File photo. THE National Assembly has approved the Public Sector Pension and Related Payments Bill, which is aimed at simplifying how pensions and related post-retirement benefits are paid to public servants. The Bill will now be referred to the National Council of Provinces for concurrence. The legislation, introduced by the Minister of Finance as part of the 2025 Budget, proposes that public sector pension, post-retirement medical, and other benefit obligations become direct charges against the National Revenue Fund (NRF). This change seeks to streamline administration and avoid delays in payments, according to Parliament. Parliament said in a statement that 'the current payment system makes it difficult for National Treasury to pay the benefits, as there are administrative requirements to track which department each retired claimant worked in, causing delays and complications.' Trade union federation, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) supports the Bill. 'We were fine with the Bill as it is largely an administrative one that does not have any adverse impact or threaten public sector pensions and related payments,' said Cosatu Parliamentary Coordinator Matthew Parks. 'We are comforted by it correctly recognising that the state is responsible for all public sector and related pension payments. This is crucial to protect workers and pensioners.' Parks added that Cosatu was also reassured by the Bill's support for collective bargaining processes. 'We are pleased that it affirms the role of collective bargaining processes and agreements where matters affecting public sector pension funds are discussed and resolved with organised labour,' he said. 'We have been reassured by Treasury to this effect as well.' He concluded: 'We are confident that Parliament will conclude the passage of the Bill before the deadline and thus pension funds will remain protected.' However, the Public Sector Coordinating Union (PSCU) raised several concerns about the Bill's structure and safeguards, especially a clause that Parliament's Standing Committee on Appropriations had also flagged. The Standing Committee had noted that while it supported the Bill, it had concerns with a clause that says, 'If Parliament does not approve or reject changes to the list of benefits within three months, those changes will automatically become law.' The committee said it 'does not agree with this and asked the Minister of Finance to remove that clause in the next round of changes.' The PSCU echoed this criticism. 'This is a dangerous loophole. The PSCU unequivocally rejects the clause that allows benefit changes to pass automatically if Parliament procrastinates,' said Tahir Maepa, a PSCU representative. 'This is a betrayal of workers' trust. Pensions are a lifelong commitment, not a policy loophole that can be manipulated without due regard.' While cautiously supporting the Bill's intention to place pensions directly on the NRF, Maepa warned: 'We conditionally support placing pensions and post-retirement benefits on the NRF, as it should address delays and underfunding. However, we caution the government that this cannot be used as an excuse to freeze wages, reduce job opportunities, or privatise services. Workers' deferred wages must be legally protected from austerity measures.' He added that the Bill's success depends on firm guarantees. 'The Bill's promise of efficiency is meaningless without penalties for late payments to retirees; a union seat at the table to monitor the implementation of the Bill; and strong anti-cut protections embedded in the law itself.' 'If the government disregards our concerns, we will mobilise our members and challenge this Bill in every forum, including courts, public spaces, and Parliament,' Maepa said. THE MERCURY
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Claims that 'ANC politicians are behind' Zwelinzima Vavi's Standard Bank woes
Sources close to South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi have alleged that ANC politicians are targeting him through Standard Bank. The allegations stem from the bank's failed attempt to foreclose on Vavi's Sandton home, despite him consistently paying off arrears on his home loan. According to insiders, Vavi's vocal criticism of the ANC, particularly regarding corruption and policy direction, has made him a target. "Vavi has been too critical of the ANC in recent years and was outspoken about President Cyril Ramaphosa's Phala Phala scandal... He has also been critical of the corruption that has been taking place within the ANC in recent years, making him a target," a source revealed. The High Court in Johannesburg, last week, ruled in favour of Vavi, dismissing Standard Bank's bid to foreclose on his home. Judge Stuart Wilson slammed the bank for its "disproportionate" attempt, stating that Vavi had shown "an apparently perfect adherence" to paying his monthly installments. The judge also criticised the bank for demanding over R160,000 in legal costs, almost double the outstanding arrears. Vavi's history with the ANC and Cosatu has been marked by controversy and criticism. He was previously fired from Cosatu due to escalating tensions and disagreements with the federation's leadership. His criticism of the ANC's corruption and policy direction further strained his relationship with the party. ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu did not respond to questions sent to her. Cosatu's spokesperson Matthew Parks said the Federation was aware of the matter but were not buying into claims that there was a political controversy around the issue. "We don't buy the story that he (Vavi) was targeted political party owns a bank or can influenece a bank. "We obviously sympathise with the judge was scathing towards Standard Bank in his ruling. We always say that there should be a better way to resolve these issues, other than going to court," Parks said. The Vavi case is not an isolated incident. Standard Bank has faced criticism for handling mortgage arrears and foreclosure proceedings. A R60-billion class-action lawsuit against major South African banks, including Standard Bank, highlights systemic issues with how banks handle mortgage arrears. Advocate Douglas Shaw, leading the lawsuit, alleges that banks frequently proceed with sales even when foreclosure is not a last resort, and often impose excessive legal costs. "We often see banks act in a manner we consider irresponsible. You cannot trust them to do what most people would see as 'the right thing',' Shaw said. In another case the bank was again accused of using underhanded tactics to short change its clients, claiming that a couple had defaulted in their bond repayments after they were allegedly overcharged by the bank. Shamilla Pather and her husband Roman, of Pinetown, said at the time that they were overcharged by the bank which, they say, has also prolonged court processes intended to resolve the matter. They accused the bank of expecting her and her husband to pay R600,000 or more over a 10-year period in lieu of one month of arrears of R8,800. In another case in 2023, a couple Patrick and Polin Anthony from Gauteng, defaulted on their mortgage payments for their home in Forest Hill, Gauteng. However, Standard Bank debited an amount of R124,047,34 from Anthony's family bank account allegedly after increasing the interest rate from prime -1% to prime +1% from August 1, 2009. This allegedly resulted in an overpayment of R135,301,30, according to financial investigator Emerald van Zyl, who said the overpayment was revealed by an independent actuary as he accused the bank of having allegedly increased the prime rate through internal policy. Standard Bank did not respond to the claims that political interference had led to banking action against Vavi, but responded to other questions. The bank's spokesperson Ron Derby said the bank wished to clarify that on 12 June 2025, Vavi's matter was postponed, and no final court order was granted dismissing the bank's application. 'Regarding this matter, the home loan account has been in arrears since 2015. Over the years, the bank has extended multiple opportunities to the homeowner to get the account up to date. Legal proceedings were only initiated in 2022, after all other avenues to resolve the matter amicably had been exhausted…Legal action is never our first course of action — it is a measure of last resort. 'With regards to the matter of Mark Rowan and Shamilla Pather, Standard Bank has engaged directly with the clients to discuss an amicable resolution. Any resolution arrived at is subject to confidentiality agreements and therefore the details cannot be made publicly available. "We are committed to supporting our clients through financial challenges and strongly encourage clients to engage with us at the earliest signs of financial distress. Early engagement enables us to work collaboratively to find solutions that are sustainable and mutually beneficial,' Derby said. [email protected]
IOL News
3 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Rifts in the Tripartite Alliance: ANC and SACP clash ahead of local elections
ANC Deputy Secretary General Nomvula Mokonyane threw out SACP members at an ANC workshop recently. Image: Doctor Ngcobo / Independent Newspapers Tensions within the Tripartite Alliance between the ANC, the South African Communist Party (SACP), and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) have come to the fore after an incident in Mpumalanga where SACP members were asked to leave an ANC election workshop. The workshop, aimed at strategising for the 2026 Local Government Elections, has exposed deepening divisions within the alliance. At the event, ANC Deputy Secretary-General Nomvula Mokonyane issued a directive, asking SACP delegates to leave the workshop, citing that the party would not strategise with a group intending to contest elections independently. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ This move has drawn criticism from senior SACP leaders, who accuse Mokonyane of divisiveness and of breaking the longstanding relationship between the parties. According to sources, the directive also angered some SACP leaders, and they have accused Mokonyane of also breaking the longstanding relationship the party has had with the ANC and Cosatu. Sources say there will be talks between the ANC and the SACP that will focus on what will happen to SACP members who were placed in top positions by the ANC, including SACP chairperson and Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation Blade Nzimande. SACP national Spokesperson Mbulelo Ndlazana confirmed the incident, stating that the party's decision to contest the local government elections independently is not a reflection of the political relationship between the two organisations. 'Indeed, it is true that certain members and leaders of the SACP were removed from an elections workshop in Mpumalanga. The SACP is aware of this action and has engaged the ANC about it,' Ndlazana said. He further stated that the alliance was not an election, and therefore, electoral contests do not determine the fate of the political relationship between alliance partner organisations. He blamed the ANC leadership in Mpumalanga for failing to address the matter before extending an invitation. 'The ANC local leadership committed an error by inviting the SACP into the workshop, given the fact that the SACP is contesting the elections independently. 'The fact that the SACP is contesting the local government elections independently and in its name means its election strategy and plans are internal to it, and this is true of the ANC as well,' Ndlazana said. SACP General Secretary Solly Mapaila insists that the party will contest the local government elections next year. Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers He further said it was normal that each organisation on this particular question worked separately because the two were running different election campaigns. 'This is related specifically to the election programme and not to the political relationship between the two organisations as we historically know it.' The SACP has met all requirements to contest the elections, as confirmed by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). Cosatu Spokesperson Matthew Parks expressed concern over the growing rift, emphasising the importance of unity within the alliance. 'The unity of the Alliance is paramount to Cosatu. We are undertaking discussions with affiliates, members, and workers on Cosatu's approach to the local elections, more so in light of the SACP's congress resolution to contest state power,' Parks said. He also highlighted the need for the Alliance to be reconfigured to address challenges and ensure it remains the strategic centre for policy and political discourse. The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has backed the SACP's decision to contest the 2026 local government elections independently. In its secretariat report at its elective conference in Benoni, Ekurhuleni, the NUM called for the mobilisation of the 'popular front of the left' against the Government of National Unity (GNU). The ANC has criticised the SACP's decision, arguing that it will split the Alliance vote and benefit opposition parties. ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula previously questioned the theoretical basis for the SACP's decision, stating that if the SACP wants more influence, it can be resolved through discussions on deployment lists. SACP General Secretary Solly Mapaila reiterated the party's decision to contest the elections independently, stating that there is no turning back. 'The SACP is going to contest the local government elections; there's no turning back. I cannot reverse this decision; no one in the Communist Party can reverse this decision. It's a decision taken by Congress,' Mapaila said.
The Citizen
4 days ago
- The Citizen
Popcru and Cosatu march for justice after sexual abuse claims rock Saps
Amid growing complaints of misconduct and sexual abuse, Popcru and Cosatu say trainees must be protected and perpetrators held accountable. A group of members from the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) marched yesterday to demand respect for workers in the industry. Union members marched from Burger Park to the national police commissioner's office to hand over a memorandum of demands which forms part of their Restore Dignity campaign. The campaign aims to defend workers' rights, uphold human dignity in the criminal justice cluster and demand decisive action against systemic injustices affecting members of the South African Police Service and Correctional Services. Misconduct and sexual exploitation allegations Popcru spokesperson Richard Mamabolo said the march comes in light of the many misconducts and allegations of sexual exploitation at Saps training facilities and workplaces in general. Mamabolo said the march followed a recent event at a training college where a trainee was sexually assaulted. Earlier this year, a 59-year-old officer was arrested for allegedly raping a 20-year-old trainee and sexually assaulting another at the Pretoria Police Training Academy. NOW READ: Alleged rape at police academy: Popcru calls for transparency and justice 'The matter is currently appearing before the court, so as part of awareness and communicated clearly that they need to take action. Police should be a place of safety. Trainees should not be vulnerable and those who perpetrate sexual assault need to be held accountable,' he said. Memorandum of demands Mamabolo said their demands included victim processes, a 24-hour anonymous hotline for members and condemning any form of sexual harassment in the workplace. 'Since that incident, we have had a lot of people coming forward with similar challenges, not just in Gauteng but across the country. We will be following up on those complaints,' he said. 'Sexual harassment is a serious violation of human rights and a gross abuse of power.' Cosatu calls for respect and dignity Cosatu general secretary Solly Phetoe said the security departments did not respect the legislation of the country, with issues of the abuse of workers and the abuse and sexual harassment of women. Phetoe called for the respect and dignity of workers and said they must act against anybody abusing the rights of workers. ALSO READ: Cosatu says debate on B-BBEE is needed for beneciaries' benefit
IOL News
5 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Claims that 'ANC politicians are behind' Zwelinzima Vavi's Standard Bank woes
Saftu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi prevented the foreclosure of his primary residence by Standard Bank. Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Media Sources close to South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi have alleged that ANC politicians are targeting him through Standard Bank. The allegations stem from the bank's failed attempt to foreclose on Vavi's Sandton home, despite him consistently paying off arrears on his home loan. According to insiders, Vavi's vocal criticism of the ANC, particularly regarding corruption and policy direction, has made him a target. "Vavi has been too critical of the ANC in recent years and was outspoken about President Cyril Ramaphosa's Phala Phala scandal... He has also been critical of the corruption that has been taking place within the ANC in recent years, making him a target," a source revealed. The High Court in Johannesburg, last week, ruled in favour of Vavi, dismissing Standard Bank's bid to foreclose on his home. Judge Stuart Wilson slammed the bank for its "disproportionate" attempt, stating that Vavi had shown "an apparently perfect adherence" to paying his monthly installments. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading The judge also criticised the bank for demanding over R160,000 in legal costs, almost double the outstanding arrears. Vavi's history with the ANC and Cosatu has been marked by controversy and criticism. He was previously fired from Cosatu due to escalating tensions and disagreements with the federation's leadership. His criticism of the ANC's corruption and policy direction further strained his relationship with the party. ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu did not respond to questions sent to her. Cosatu's spokesperson Matthew Parks said the Federation was aware of the matter but were not buying into claims that there was a political controversy around the issue. "We don't buy the story that he (Vavi) was targeted political party owns a bank or can influenece a bank. "We obviously sympathise with the judge was scathing towards Standard Bank in his ruling. We always say that there should be a better way to resolve these issues, other than going to court," Parks said. The Vavi case is not an isolated incident. Standard Bank has faced criticism for handling mortgage arrears and foreclosure proceedings. A R60-billion class-action lawsuit against major South African banks, including Standard Bank, highlights systemic issues with how banks handle mortgage arrears. Advocate Douglas Shaw, leading the lawsuit, alleges that banks frequently proceed with sales even when foreclosure is not a last resort, and often impose excessive legal costs. "We often see banks act in a manner we consider irresponsible. You cannot trust them to do what most people would see as 'the right thing',' Shaw said. In another case the bank was again accused of using underhanded tactics to short change its clients, claiming that a couple had defaulted in their bond repayments after they were allegedly overcharged by the bank. Shamilla Pather and her husband Roman, of Pinetown, said at the time that they were overcharged by the bank which, they say, has also prolonged court processes intended to resolve the matter. They accused the bank of expecting her and her husband to pay R600,000 or more over a 10-year period in lieu of one month of arrears of R8,800. In another case in 2023, a couple Patrick and Polin Anthony from Gauteng, defaulted on their mortgage payments for their home in Forest Hill, Gauteng. However, Standard Bank debited an amount of R124,047,34 from Anthony's family bank account allegedly after increasing the interest rate from prime -1% to prime +1% from August 1, 2009. This allegedly resulted in an overpayment of R135,301,30, according to financial investigator Emerald van Zyl, who said the overpayment was revealed by an independent actuary as he accused the bank of having allegedly increased the prime rate through internal policy. Standard Bank did not respond to the claims that political interference had led to banking action against Vavi, but responded to other questions. The bank's spokesperson Ron Derby said the bank wished to clarify that on 12 June 2025, Vavi's matter was postponed, and no final court order was granted dismissing the bank's application.
