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Employers and companies will have to meet a set of conditions before being issued with the employment equity (EE) compliance certificate as a prerequisite for access to contracts with the State and any of its organs.

Speaking during the joint EE virtual workshops held on Tuesday for KwaZulu-Natal, the Department of Employment and Labour’s Deputy Director for Employment Equity, Masilo Lefika, said the certificate will be applicable for a year from the date of issue, and is one of the reasons for the amendment of the of section 53 of the EE Act.

In terms of proposed EE amendments, the criteria for non-designated employers (those employing 0-49 employees) is to comply with the National Minimum Wage (NMW) or prove that they have been granted exemption, and have no Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) unfair discrimination award against employers in the previous 12 months.

Meanwhile, the criteria for designated employers (those employing 50 or more employees) is submitting annual EE Report (EEA2 & EEA4 forms); complying with the NMW or proving to have been granted exemption not to pay NMW; complying with own annual EE targets towards the five-year Sector EE Target, and have no CCMA unfair discrimination award against employers in the previous 12 months.

“The intention is not to bottleneck employers. The five-year sector targets are not quotas, but we are flexible. We do not want a one size fits all solution,” Lefika said.

According to the proposed amendments, the EE Compliance Certificate exemptions will be granted only when there are justifiable reasons.

“The reasons include insufficient recruitment opportunities; insufficient target individuals from the designated groups with the relevant qualifications, skills and experience; insufficient promotion opportunities, transfer of business or merger, and the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on business,” Lefika said.

The Deputy Director said employers will be subjected to strict audit before the certificate is issued.

The virtual EE workshops will run until 28 September 2021 and have already been held for the provinces of Limpopo and Free State.

South African Airways Technical (SAAT) has appointed former Group CEO of Denel, Riaz Saloojee, as its interim chief executive ahead of SAA’s return to operations later this month.

Saloojee said he is looking forward to being part of the new, refreshed SAA brand.

“I’m looking forward to playing my part in rebuilding SAAT into a powerful and respected local and international MRO [maintenance, repair and operational] services brand. SAA is known the world over for its exemplary safety record and its pedigree of technical excellence. Continuing with and building on that ethos will be one of my primary functions,” Saloojee said.

Part of Saloojee’s work with the rest of the SAA executive team will be to “rebuild the airline’s fleet, with a strong focus on efficiencies and environmental responsibility”.

SAAT board chairperson, Nick Fadugba, expressed confidence in Saloojee’s abilities in the sector.

“We are delighted that [Saloojee] comes on board at a crucial time as we prepare for SAA’s return to the skies. He has a respected track record in the aerospace industry and his leadership experience in this field makes him the ideal person to steer SAAT through its current challenges, and help transform it into a commercially successful enterprise,” Fadugba said.

SAAT is a subsidiary of SAA and provides aircraft maintenance services to commercial airlines.

Gauteng crime fighting efforts have received a major boost with the appointment of seven senior managers.

In a statement, provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant, Colonel Mavela Masondo, said Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant, General Elias Mawela, had since 1 September been joined by two new Deputy Provincial Commissioners and five District Commissioners.

The new senior managers are:

• Provincial Head: Corporate Communication and Liaison – Brigadier B Muridili
• Provincial Head: Supply Chain Management – Brigadier M Mashele
• Station Commander: Evaton – Brigadier D Sibuyi
• Station Commander: Jeppe – Brigadier MI Maota
• Station Commander: Soshanguve – Brigadier M Toohey
• Station Commander: Kempton Park – Brigadier CL Ndlovu
• Station Commander: Rietgat – Brigadier MA Maphota

Mawela congratulated the new managers on their appointments.

He also outlined his expectations when he gave the Brigadiers clear marching orders during the conferment of the rank insignias.

“I warmly welcome you to Gauteng Province. I believe that you are all a much needed and awaited addition to our ranks as I know that you are strategic, vibrant and energetic individuals,” said Lt Gen Mawela.

“We are today, stronger with your appointments, more fierce and ever determined to continue with our fight against crime in Gauteng,” added Lt Gen Mawela, who went on to encourage the Brigadiers to be the forces of change in their endeavours to enhance service delivery in their areas of specialization for the betterment of Gauteng.

All the appointments were with effect from 1 September 2021.

South Africa has recorded at least 5 372 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24-hour reporting cycle, with a further 282 COVID-19 related deaths recorded.

According to the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD), this brings the total number of laboratory confirmed COVID-19 cases to 2 829 435, with 83 899 fatalities reported to date.

The NICD said 43 632 tests were conducted over the past 24 hours, which indicates a positivity rate of about 12.3%.

The provincial breakdown of new cases is as follows: KwaZulu-Natal has the majority of new cases at 1 348; Eastern Cape 1 287; Western Cape 948; Free State 581; Gauteng 457; Mpumalanga 250; North West 268; Northern Cape 154 and Limpopo 79.

The institute said 302 more people were hospitalised – bringing the total number of current hospitalisations to 11 429.

Meanwhile, the Health Department has reported that 202 637 COVID-19 vaccines were administered in the last 24-hour reporting cycle.

This brings the cumulative number of vaccines administered to 13 892 301.

The speedy finalisation of disciplinary cases and implementation of consequence management remain central in instituting a culture of intolerance to corruption and fraud within the Home Affairs Department, Parliament says.

“While we welcome the implementation of the Counter Corruption and Fraud Prevention Strategy, the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs underscored that it is only through effective consequence management that the department will successfully win the war against malfeasance,” committee chairperson, Mosa Chabane said.

The committee received an update on the department’s initiatives to counter fraud and corruption.

Chabane commended the suspension of five officials as a result of a Public Protector report, as well as the 215 arrests that have been effected since the inception of Operation Bvisa Masina in 2015. The arrests included 123 Home Affairs officials, 84 syndicate members and eight South African Police Service members.

While acknowledging that the justice processes can be arduous due to various reasons, the committee said there is a need to conclude internal disciplinary processes quicker to ensure consequence management.

The committee also expressed its appreciation to Home Affairs Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, who reported that he is engaging with Sport, Arts and Culture Minister, Nathi Mthethwa, with the aim of enabling him to charge an official that left Home Affairs for the Sport, Arts and Culture Department.

“We commend the action by the Minister, especially in the context of the worrying trend of officials that resign from one department when facing disciplinary cases, only to reappear in another department. The actions by the Minister will ensure that any official accused of wrongdoing is taken through the necessary process.

“The cooperation with law enforcement agencies is welcomed but must be strengthened at all times to close any gaps that might be exploited by criminals working together with officials of the department,” Chabane said.

The committee welcomed news that the department is performing at an average of above 70% in relation to investigating reported cases of fraud and corruption within 90 days, which will ensure the speedy resolution of cases.

“The committee has also committed, from time-to-time, to request updates on the disciplinary cases within the department,” Chabane said.

Despite this, the committee raised concerns regarding the slow turnaround times in vetting officials, as per the security requirements.

The committee called on the State Security Agency to increase its capability to ensure that vetting is done adequately within a reasonable time to prevent any unwanted elements from accessing the department’s service points.

Regarding security at Home Affairs offices, the committee said the lack of cameras and electronic monitoring systems is a longstanding concern, which affects the department’s ability to safeguard its systems.

The committee noted the financial challenges faced by the department and the entire public service in ensuring effective funding for programmes. The committee has urged the department to find workable solutions in order to meets its objectives.

Review process of visas and permits

Regarding the review process of visas and permits, the committee called on Motsoaledi to table a report whenever it is available to enable the committee to appraise itself on its findings and recommendations aimed at improving the permit system.

The Electoral Commission says it has already taken measures to ensure that it complies with the orders of the Constitutional Court relating to the conduct of municipal elections by 1 November 2021.

The Constitutional Court last week ruled that the elections must take place between 27 October and 1 November this year.

Addressing the media in Pretoria on Monday, the Commission’s Chairperson Glen Mashinini assured South Africans that it will spare no effort to deliver a credible process guided by prescripts and electoral jurisprudence arising from the courts.

The Commission calls on all role-players, especially political parties, to cooperate to ensure that the election proceeds within a calm environment where voters can exercise their right to vote and make their choices without undue impediments.

“In order to give impetus to the preparations of the elections, the Commission met over the weekend to assess whether a registration weekend can be practical before the elections.

“Commission is of the view that it must take all necessary measures to ensure an electoral process that is free and fair, striving for safety within the constraints occasioned by the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic.

Registration weekend

“Having considered and deliberated on the matter, the Commission has made a determination that a registration weekend is a necessity ahead of this general election,” said Mashinini.

Mashinini said a registration weekend is now scheduled for the weekend of 18 and 19 September 2021.

According to Mashinini, all the 23 151 voting stations will open at 08h00 until 17h00 on both days.

“This registration weekend will offer all eligible citizens an opportunity to register or update their registration details,” he said.

Mashinini urged all the young people to take advantage of the registration weekend to register and eventually vote.

Mashinini said the Commission has advised the Cogta Minister that it will be proceeding with a registration weekend on 18 and 19 September 2021.

“This means that the Minister will on 20 September 2021 proclaim the date of the election. This proclamation of the election date will cause the voters’ roll to be closed for purposes of the 2021 municipal elections,” Mashinini said.

Mashinini said the Commission has indicated its preference of the election date to the Minister who is now considering the matter.

“It is the Commission’s wish that the election date is announced sooner to allow electoral stakeholders to prepare within the short time to 1 November.

“In view of the fact that the voter registration process has been reopened by the order of the Court, a number of amendments to the electoral timetable are necessary,” he said.

According to the Commission, there are currently 77 970 candidates of which 911 are independent.

The Commission says it has acquired 40 000 Voter Management Devices which will be used for the first time over the registration weekend.

These devices will, in most registration stations, be functioning online. This will facilitate the process of voter verification almost instantaneously.

South Africa’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased by 1.2% in the second quarter of 2021, Statistician-General Risenga Maluleke said.

Maluleke was releasing results of the 2021 second quarter GDP during a press briefing on Tuesday.

During this period – the months of April, May and June – transport, storage and the communication industry increased by 6.9%, making the largest contribution to GDP growth – 0.5 percentage points.

The statistics agency said increased economic activity was reported for land transport and communication services.

“The personal services industry increased by 2.5% and contributed 0.4 of a percentage point to GDP growth. Increases were reported for community services and other producers.

“The trade, catering and accommodation industry increased by 2.2% and contributed 0.3 of a percentage point to GDP growth. Increased economic activity was reported in wholesale, retail and motor trade, and there was increased spending on catering and accommodation services,” said Statistics South Africa (Stats SA).

During the three months, the agriculture, forestry and fishing industry increased by 6.2% and contributed 0.2 of a percentage point to GDP growth.

Maluleke said the increase was mainly due to increased production of field crops, horticulture and animal products.

“The mining and quarrying industry increased by 1.9% and contributed 0.1 of a percentage point to GDP growth. Increased production was reported for platinum group metals (PGMs), gold and coal. Unadjusted real GDP for the first six months of 2021 increased by 7.5% compared with the first six months of 2020.”

In the second quarter of the year, Maluleke revealed that expenditure on real GDP increased by 1.2%.

“Household final consumption expenditure increased by 0.5% in the second quarter, contributing 0.3 of a percentage point to total growth.

The highest growth rates and largest contributors were seen in durable and non-durable goods.

“The main positive contributors to growth in household final consumption expenditure (HFCE) were expenditures on transport (2.7% and contributing 0.4 of a percentage point); health (2.5% and contributing 0.2 of a percentage point); food and non-alcoholic beverages (1.7% and contributing 0.2 of a percentage point); restaurants (2.4% and contributing 0.1 of a percentage point); communication (1.6% and contributing 0.1 of a percentage point); and clothing and footwear (1.1% and contributing 0.1 of a percentage point).”

“A negative contribution to growth in HFCE was reported for expenditures in the ‘other’ category, decreasing by 3.8% and contributing -0.5 of a percentage point, mainly because of lower spending on insurance services in the second quarter.”

Stats SA said final consumption expenditure by general government decreased by 0.1% in the quarter.

Decreases in compensation of employees and spending on goods and services were reported in the second quarter. Gross fixed capital formation increased by 0.9%.

The agency said the main contributors to the increase were machinery and equipment (1.8% and contributing 0.7 of a percentage point), ‘other’ assets5 (6.4% and contributing 0.7 of a percentage point) and transport equipment (1.1% and contributing 0.1 of a percentage point). “There was a R21.7 billion drawdown of inventories in the second quarter of 2021 (seasonally adjusted and annualised).

“Large decreases in electricity and mining contributed to the inventory drawdowns experienced in the second quarter of 2021,” said the agency.

It added that net exports contributed positively to growth in expenditure on GDP in the second quarter, with the exports of goods and services having increased by 4.0%.

This, said the agency, was largely influenced by increased trade in mineral products; pearls, precious and semi-precious stones; precious metals; and vehicles and other transport equipment.

“Imports of goods and services increased by 0.4%, driven largely by increases in mineral products; base metals and articles of base metals; and animal and vegetable fats and oils,” it said.

The South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced the postponement of its free access week, which is held annually in September.

“SANParks is postponing the free access week which is traditionally held in September, to November, due to concerns regarding the number of COVID-19 cases across the country.”

SANParks General Manager: Media, PR & Stakeholder Relations, Rey Thakhuli, said the safety of guests and staff is of utmost priority “and we therefore have to ensure that we are in a position to effectively implement the COVID-19 visitor management procedures in all our parks at all times.”

SA National Parks Week is an annual weeklong campaign that provides all South African citizens the opportunity to visit national parks for free.

“The exact dates will be announced shortly. Visit a national park this year for free during SA National Parks Week, to see what it has to offer and do your part by getting to know your national parks #SANationalParksWeek and #LiveYourWild,” said Thakhuli.

SANParks together with Total Energies and FNB will host the 16th annual SA National Parks Week.

A total of 203 825 COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in South Africa, with Gauteng leading with 62 040, followed by the Western Cape with 36 650 vaccines administered as of Monday.

According to the latest vaccine statistics released by the Department of Health, a total of 13 673 651 vaccines have been administered as at 6 September 2021.

The statistics also showed that a total of 122 385 individuals have been fully vaccinated in the last 24 hours. These include 90 207 people vaccinated with Pfizer and 32 178 people vaccinated with Johnson and Johnson.

The department reported that the cumulative number of recoveries now stand at 2 599 667, with a recovery rate of 92,1%.

“As of today [Monday], the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases identified in South Africa is 2 824 063, with 4 118 new cases reported. One hundred and ninety-eight deaths have been reported, bringing the total to 83 617 deaths,” the department said.

Finding ways to improve productivity and sustainability in the clothing manufacturing industry will come under the spotlight this week.

The entity tasked with promoting productivity and employment growth in South Africa, Productivity SA, the National Bargaining Council for the Clothing Manufacturing Industry (NBCCMI)’s Productivity and Training Institute (PTI) will host a knowledge sharing session that will bring union members and business owners together on Wednesday.

In a statement, the Department of Employment and Labour said that the webinar is organised through Productivity SA’s business Turnaround and Recovery Programme (BT&R) which is aimed at preventing job losses, in this instance focusing on the backdrop of COVID-19 business distress and the recent unrest, which affected several sector businesses.

“The BT&R programme implements turnaround strategies to support distressed companies facing operational difficulties which may result in them contemplating retrenchments. The programme is funded by the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF)”, the department said.

Productivity SA has run the programme for almost two decades and in the process has facilitated the prevention of jobs losses in South African companies.