Latest news with #WorkersDay
IOL News
01-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Urgent call for investigation into Tshwane's security guards' qualifications
The FF Plus has urged the City of Tshwane to investigate the qualifications of 1,283 security guards appointed in 2021 through the insourcing process. Image: Rapula Moatshe The FF Plus has called on the City of Tshwane to launch an investigation into the qualifications of 1,283 security guards appointed in 2021 as part of the insourcing process, citing concerns over their lack of adequate training. The party is also urging the city to consider using technology for specific security tasks, rather than solely relying on hiring more security guards. This comes after the party's rejection of a report allocating R230 million over three years for benefits to contracted security guards at last week's council meeting at Tshwane House. The report in question proposed providing medical subsidies, pension funds, and housing allowances to security guards who were hired without benefits. 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 Instead of adopting the report, the FF Plus proposed a thorough investigation into whether the guards meet the requirements and to what extent technology can be used for certain tasks. Councillor Grandi Theunissen noted that the allocated amount excluded several hidden costs, such as basic equipment and training, which he said pointed to reckless financial planning. 'The party seriously doubts whether the metro's budget can absorb the additional costs for security guards,' he said. On Workers Day, Members of the Mayoral Committee (MMCs) from the EFF and ActionSA met with security guards at Church Square in Pretoria CBD, where they promised training security guards who were previously hired without adequate training, as well as equipping them with the necessary tools. They also announced plans in the pipeline to insource over 200 security guards in the 2025/2026 financial year, with potential expansion to hire at least 1,500 guards in 2026/2027. At the time, MMC for Environmental Affairs and Agriculture Obakeng Ramabodu said: 'They were left there with jeans and a T-shirt on-site without knowing what to do. That is why our infrastructure is under attack. That is why our substations are burning every week. That is why electricity is affected because the people that we have deployed to secure our infrastructure are not trained and don't have the necessary equipment.' Hannes Coetzee, the Community Safety MMC and ActionSA councillor, said the current administration inherited more than 1,200 security guards, but the problem is that they lack training. The FF Plus said the council report is part of the coalition government's efforts to push through their policy for the general outsourcing of security and cleaning services.
IOL News
05-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
‘An affront to workers': ANC slams DA's court bid to scrap Employment Equity Act
ANC secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, said the DA hated any policy on transformation, adding that the (DA) heading to court on the eve of Workers Day proved that. Just as the storm over the 0.5% VAT hike begins to calm, a new political storm is brewing. This week, the DA heads to court over the Employment Equity Act, threatening to reignite tensions within the rocky Government of National Unity (GNU). The DA will challenge the Act at the Pretoria High Court on Tuesday. The DA alleges that the Act will damage the economy even further. The ANC has accused the DA of hindering the progress and transformation of the country. It said the DA was committed to reversing the gains made by the government over the past 30 years. In a tweet on X over the weekend, ANC parliamentary chief whip, Mdumiseni Ntuli, said the DA's action was a validation of a continued exclusion of black people in the economy. Last week, ANC secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, said the DA hated any policy on transformation, adding that the (DA) heading to court on the eve of Workers Day proved that. "We denounce the DA's court challenge against the Employment Equity Act. It is not only a legal manoeuvre — it is a calculated political stunt, launched on the eve of Workers' Day, aimed at reversing three decades of democratic gains. It is an affront to workers, to the poor, and our national Constitution,' Mbalula said. The DA filed its legal challenge in 2023, but tensions have resurfaced following the release of regulations introducing sector-specific racial quotas—measures the DA views as unconstitutional and discriminatory. The case has further strained the GNU, provoking a backlash from the ANC caucus and renewed calls for the DA's removal from the coalition. It joins a series of legislative flashpoints—including the NHI Act, BELA Act, and Expropriation Act—all passed before the GNU's formation. While the GNU aims for cooperation, the DA continues to oppose core elements of these laws, citing fundamental ideological divides. With the coalition only recently stabilised after a budget crisis, the DA's court battle over employment equity is now a fresh source of political friction. Meanwhile, the DA led by its federal chairperson Helen Zille is expected to hold a media briefing on Monday on the merits of its case against the Act. [email protected] IOL Politics
The Citizen
03-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
DA Emfuleni urges urgent action on youth unemployment
SEBOKENG.- As the nation celebrated Workers Day on Thursday, May 1 the DA in Emfuleni, in particular its youth held a demonstration at the Masoheng traffic lights in Zone 10 Extension 1, Sebokeng. The message from the DA's youth said youth unemployment rate at an alarming 43.2%, is not just a number but it reflects a national crisis. 'Today, on Workers' Day, the Democratic Alliance (DA) Emfuleni Central Constituency stands in solidarity with millions of young South Africans who face an uncertain future due to crippling unemployment,' supported by Dady Mollo, DA Constituency Head – Emfuleni Central, the young people said. They expressed their frustrations and further said that in this country they see young graduate whose qualifications cannot open doors in a stagnant economy, a breadwinner robbed of dignity after losing a job he once relied on, and young women forced into vulnerability in the absence of opportunities. 'This is the direct result of decades of ANC mismanagement, corruption, and failed economic policies. While the ANC government continues to make empty promises, young South Africans are left to bear the consequences.' The young people said that the DA is fighting for bold economic reforms that: Encourage investment and support small businesses Equip young people with skills aligned to market needs. Cut red tape and grow an inclusive economy that delivers jobs. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
02-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Ramaphosa defends Godongwana amid budget challenges
President Cyril Ramaphosa said Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana will keep his job amid calls for him to resign. President Cyril Ramaphosa said they have learned many lessons from the budget impasse but stated that this does amount to Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana leaving office. Speaking on the sidelines of the Workers Day rally in Mpumalanga on Thursday, Ramaphosa defended Godongwana and indicated that he will keep his job. Last week, Godongwana reversed the 0.5% value-added-tax (VAT) hike, meaning it will remain at 15%. However, he will table a new 2025 budget together on May 21. Godongwana confirmed this in a media briefing on Wednesday. He also mentioned that he would not resign unless Ramaphosa called the shots. 'That is not my intention [to resign] … That decision does not lie with me it lies with the president. The president understands the nature of the challenges in dealing with this problem,' the minister said. Ramaphosa's comments come as political parties like the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party have called for Godongwana to resign, saying he has failed citizens. "We have drawn a lot of lessons from all this… This is something that we need to take on board and it doesn't need to lead to a minister of finance resigning or stepping down, no. 'It should be on all of us to say: 'What are we learning from all of this?' and what is it that we can do to strengthen the budgetary process,' he said. Godongwana is anticipated to start fresh budget consultations soon in light of persistent issues like declining revenue, rising expenses, expensive debt, and growing political pressure. Cape Argus
IOL News
02-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Ramaphosa backs Godongwana after VAT u-turn: ‘No resignation, lessons learned'
President Cyril Ramaphosa said Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana will keep his job amid calls for him to resign. President Cyril Ramaphosa said they have learned many lessons from the budget impasse but stated that this does amount to Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana leaving office. Speaking on the sidelines of the Workers Day rally in Mpumalanga on Thursday, Ramaphosa defended Godongwana and indicated that he will keep his job. Last week, Godongwana reversed the 0.5% value-added-tax (VAT) hike, meaning it will remain at 15%. However, he will table a new 2025 budget together on May 21. Godongwana confirmed this in a media briefing on Wednesday. He also mentioned that he would not resign unless Ramaphosa called the shots. 'That is not my intention [to resign] … That decision does not lie with me it lies with the president. The president understands the nature of the challenges in dealing with this problem,' the minister said. Ramaphosa's comments come as political parties like the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party have called for Godongwana to resign, saying he has failed citizens. "We have drawn a lot of lessons from all this… This is something that we need to take on board and it doesn't need to lead to a minister of finance resigning or stepping down, no. 'It should be on all of us to say: 'What are we learning from all of this?' and what is it that we can do to strengthen the budgetary process,' he said. Godongwana is anticipated to start fresh budget consultations soon in light of persistent issues like declining revenue, rising expenses, expensive debt, and growing political pressure. IOL Politics
