Jaargang 4 Volume 9 - Solidariteit Navorsing

Bemagtiging deur kennis
Jaargang 4 Volume 9
2 November 2010
Inhoudsopgawe: Bladsy
1. Nasionale perspektief
(a) Damning corruption report 3 - 5
(b) Koop of SA gaan loop 6
(c) SA‘s global rank falling – De Klerk foundation 7
(d) High crime levels drag SA down in governance rating 8 - 9
(e) Dorpe klou aan miljarde 10 - 11
2. Arbeidsreg en wetgewing
(a) Probation is not the easy way out for employers 12 - 13
(b) Can an employer dismiss for derivative or team misconduct 14 - 15
(c) Retrenchments and misconduct dismissals don‘t mix 16 - 17
(d) Courts getting stricter on retrenchments 18 - 19
3. Ekonomie
(a) Rising demand for credit suggest recovery 20
(b) SA manufacturing conditions improve, but sector still lags rest of world 21
(c) Trade balance records surprice surplus 22
(d) Producer inflation slows unexpectedly 23
(e) Gordhan slashes deficit as R30bn revenue overrun 24 - 25
(f) Lae inflasie kan nog jare heers 26
(g) Reserve Bank sees slow leading economic indicators growth 27 - 28
(h) Slowing retail sales dash hopes for strong recovery 29 - 30
(i) Trade activity index enters positive territory 31
(j) Slowing factory output spells trouble 32
(k) Stark warning on ANC threat to investment 33
4. Arbeidsmark aktueel
(a) Werk: SA vaar vrotste 34
(b) Fitch: SA construction sector recovery to lag into 2012 35
(c) Regus survey paints bright picture for jobs 36
Saamgestel deur: Francois Calldo (Navorser)
Solidariteit Navorsingsinstituut
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4. Arbeidsmark aktueel: vervolg
(d) Jaag belastingontduikers uit hul skadugate 37 - 38
(e) Unemployment SA‘s biggest challenge, says Marcus 39
(f) Werkskaarste laat talle hul eie onderneming begin 40 - 41
(g) Training is solution to productivity problem 42 - 43
(h) Werkers speel speletjies 44
(i) Mining records highest absenteeism rate 45 - 46
(j) New CEOs being appointed at lower gaurenteed packages, study finds 47
(k) SA slips six places on gender gap index 48
(l) Die ‗armes‘ van die topverdieners in SA 49 - 50
(m) Adcorp: Employment figures take a knock 51
5. Vaardighede en opleiding
(a) Al minder studeer in die rigtings 52
(b) Sakesektor moet onderwys help 53
(c) Shortage of artisans ‗ playing a key role in poor service delivery‘ 54
(d) Equip more brains with PhDs – study 55
6. Regstellende aksie & swart ekonomiese bemagtiging
(a) Opleiding word ‗n gewilder SEB-alernatief 56
(b) Wit, bruin en Indiër deur DKD benadeel 57
(c) Many companies unaware of employment reporting 58
7. Medies
(a) SA needs R11bn more for NHI 59
(b) ANC figures on number of doctors for NHI ‗distorted‘ 60 - 61
8. Politieke ontwikkelings
(a) Zille bedank dalk in 2012 as DA-leier 62
(b) G‘n heilige opstandelinge 63 - 64
(c) Zuma gee die patat aan 65 - 66
(d) ‗Cheeky‘ SA dra swaar aan die las 67 - 69
(e) A new Zimbabwe crisis is threatening SA, like it or not 70 - 72
2

Damning corruption report
NIREN TOLSI - Oct 29 2010 14:00
State departments failed to respond to 90% of government corruption cases reported by the public on
hotlines during the past financial year, according to the Public Service Commission's (PSC) 2010
report on the state of the public service.
The report, released on Thursday, also points to a twelvefold rise in fruitless and wasteful expenditure
by the government in 2008/09 compared with the previous year - from R2,8-million to R35,2-million.
Noting a "sharp decline" in the government's responsiveness to corruption cases, the commission
said that 1 430 cases were reported in 2009/10 but there was feedback on only 150, compared with
507 responses (25%) to 1 857 cases in 2008/09.
The commission evaluated the government and public service on a range of issues, including
transparency, service delivery and the creation of a more egalitarian society, according to the
implementation of policies and programmes.
The report also evaluated the average feedback from the government on reported corruption cases
from the 2004/05 financial year to 2009/10, finding that of every 100 cases reported, whistle-blowers
or the commission received no feedback to 64.
Corruption is an increasingly insidious problem in South Africa, as reflected in the latest Transparency
International corruption perception index report, also released this week. South Africa scored 4,5 out
of 10 on the index and was placed 54 out of 146 countries.
In 2007 it was placed 43 out of 170 countries, with a score of 5,1. It scored 4,9 in 2008 and 4,7 in
2009.
The commission's report found that "capacity to follow up on these cases and investigate them is
lacking" in departments.
Bleak picture
It painted a bleak picture of the effectiveness of structures created to fight corruption
It said the Anti-Corruption Coordinating Committee (ACCC), formed in 2002 and convened by the
public service department with representatives from 18 key departments and agencies, including the
National Intelligence Agency, National Treasury and revenue service, still had to prioritise the
coordination of "measures to build the minimum anti-corruption capacity of departments. This is a
pressing priority for the government, which will undoubtedly require resources and close monitoring."
The report found that the "synergy" between structures such as the ACCC and the National Anti-
Corruption Forum (NACF) "needs improvement".
The NACF, established in 2001 to facilitate a national consensus on combating corruption, had been
debilitated by "not always having its own budget and capacity", low levels of attendance and
participation by government representatives and departments and poor recording of meetings.
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The commission said 1 024 cases of financial misconduct were reported to it in 2008/09, compared
with 868 in 2007/08.
A "key challenge", it said, is "that some public servants … implicated in acts of financial misconduct
resign before disciplinary hearings can be concluded and then accept appointments in other
departments". The report found that this was often difficult to detect because departments operated
"in silos".
It said that of the 868 officials reported to the commission in 2007/08, 50 (or 6%) left the public service
before disciplinary hearings could be held. In 2008/09, 17 implicated employees resigned after
charges of misconduct were levelled against them.
The report blamed "highly unsatisfactory" evaluation of the performances of government heads of
departments for the sharp rise in wasteful and fruitless government expenditure. As of March this year
just half (51%) of these had undergone performance evaluation, a drop from 56% in the previous
year.
"In financial terms this means that roughly half of the national budget [including transfers to provinces
and municipalities], which was in the order of R500-billion [excluding state debt costs] in the 2007/08
financial year, was controlled by accounting officers who were not subjected to a proper evaluation,"
the report said.
No holistic planning
The report is forthright on what the government needs to do to improve service delivery --
communicate with itself. It called for greater coherence within the government and between
departments and spheres of government in the planning and implementation of projects and policies.
"Planning at departmental level is on its own challenging and to integrate plans across departments or
spheres of government exacerbates the challenge even further," it said.
National planning at the departmental cluster level is a "collection of special projects pursuing the joint
objectives of a cluster" rather an integrated process, it said. Only 32% of directors general attended
cluster meetings, no planning decisions were taken there and there was no holistic planning around
outcomes.
At provincial level "there is very limited evidence of actual implementation of projects and budget
items directly flowing out of the provincial growth and development strategies".
The report also found that integrated development plans (IDPs) in municipalities were "drawn up for
compliance reasons and municipal activities carried on in spite of, and not on the basis of, the IDP".
Forty-five percent of the municipal IDPs "lacked financial strategies" and "most lacked budgets".
Transparency is an issue
The PSC's report rates the state sector "relatively low" with regard to transparency and says that its
response to applications for government information under the Promotion of Access to Information Act
(PAIA) is "generally not adequate".
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The Constitution mandates the commission to evaluate government transparency, especially with
regard to the Act, which allows any citizen to request government information.
The PSC found that compliance with the Act was "generally not adequate in the public service".
Public opposition to proposed legislation that could limit the access of the media and ordinary citizens
to state information has gathered momentum in recent weeks, especially with regard to the Protection
of Information Bill.
The report also noted that government departments are required by law to report to the South African
Human Rights Commission (HRC) on the number of requests for information it receives from the
public through PAIA and how these requests are handled.
According to the 2008/09 HRC report, 10 national departments and 71 provincial departments did not
submit reports as required.
The PSC noted that the manner in which these requests were handled requires "serious attention".
http://www.mg.co.za/article/2010-10-29-damning-corruption-report
5

‘Koop of SA gaan loop’
2010-10-21 23:30
Rajaa Azzakani
Kaapstad. – Suid-Afrika sal binne drie jaar sy eerste nuwe treine moet aankoop, anders gaan die land
‘n vervoerkrisis ondervind.
Só het mnr. Lucky Montana, uitvoerende hoof van die Passasierspooragentskap van Suid-Afrika
(Prasa), gister gewaarsku. ―Ek wil nie hê dieselfde moet gebeur as wat met Eskom die geval was nie.
Toe daar skielik nie elektrisiteit was nie, is daar gou vinger na die bestuur gewys. Ons (Prasa) betree
nou ‘n kritieke fase.‖
Montana het tydens ‘n voorlegging oor Prasa se 2009-‘10-jaarverslag aan die portefeuljekomitee oor
vervoer gesê as daar teen 2013 nie nuwe treine aangekoop is nie, gaan die stelsel onder groot druk
wees. ―Baie mense gaan uitgesluit word van deelname aan ons ekonomie. Ons het die punt bereik
waar die regering nuwe treine móét aankoop, treine wat lig, effektief en veilig is.
―‘n Derde van die huidige treine sal teen 2013-‘14 geskrap moet word. Wat ons gedoen het, is om
R25?miljard te bestee om die stelsel op te knap. Oor drie jaar gaan ons nie meer die voordeel van dié
belegging hê nie.‖
Hy het gesê daar is geen rede waarom R6,8 miljoen bestee moet word om ‘n treinwa plaaslik op te
knap wanneer jy in China vir net meer as R7 miljoen ‘n nuwe treinwa kan koop nie.
Montana het ná die vergadering aan Beeld gesê ‘n heksejag word deur die kantoor van die ouditeurgeneraal
(OG) op swart beroepskundiges gedoen. Dié kantoor raak onmiddellik agterdogtig wanneer
staatsinstellings deur swart kundiges bestuur word en behandel hul wit eweknieë heeltemal anders,
meen hy. ―Die indruk onder swart beroepslui is dat hulle anders as hul wit kollegas in staatsentiteite
behandel word. Daar word geglo dat hulle nie regverdig behandel word nie en dat hulle nie ‘n
regverdige kans gegun word nie.
―Hulle word met agterdog behandel. Die meeste van hulle het die laaste oudit as ‘n soort heksejag
ondervind.‖
Hy het gesê entiteite moet op die basis van bewyse in ‘n oudit geëvalueer word en nie op grond van
ander kwessies wat niks met die oudit te make het nie. ―Ek voel ons is in dié oudit op sulke ander
kwessies geëvalueer. Ons is bly dat ons ‘n ongekwalifiseerde oudit gekry het, maar ek glo dat Prasa
dit verdien. Ek is glad nie tevrede met die proses waardeur ons is nie en het dit reeds direk by die OG
se kantoor aangemeld.‖
Montana het gesê hy respekteer dié kantoor en hul onafhanklikheid om hul werk te verrig. ―Maar ons
het sekere gevolgtrekkings gesien wat niks met die oudit uit te waai het nie. Vir bevindings moet daar
bewyse wees.‖
Nie adv. Terence Nombembe, OG, of sy woordvoerder, mnr. Africa Boso, kon ná vele probeerslae vir
kommentaar bereik word nie.
http://www.beeld.com/Suid-Afrika/Nuus/Koop-of-SA-gaan-loop-20101021
6

SA’s global rank falling - De Klerk Foundation
SAM MKOKELI
Published: 2010/10/13 06:22:24 AM
While the African National Congress (ANC) was engrossed in an onslaught on liberal policies, SA was
sliding in all the major international performance indicators, the FW de Klerk Foundation said
yesterday.
The foundation‘s executive director, Dave Steward, said the assault on liberal policies, waged by the
ANC and its allies, had measurable consequences for the country.
According to the latest Economic Freedom of the World Report, SA has slumped from its position as
the 42nd-freest economy in the world in 2000 to the 82nd position in 2008.
―Not only has the South African economy become less free in absolute terms, it has also been
overtaken by a number of competitor countries that have embraced free markets and free
institutions,‖ Mr Steward said.
ANC spokesman Brian Sokutu said that since 1994, ANC policies had always been geared to redress
decades of racial economic imbalances . ― It is therefore totally untrue to claim that there has been a
slide, as incorrectly stated by the FW de Klerk Foundation.‖
Mr Steward said: ―On the battlefield of ideas, the ANC has arrayed its forces against neoliberalism;
against a weak and passive state; and against overemphasis on individual rights and market
fundamentalism.‖
He said SA had done well wherever it implemented policies based on freedom and pragmatism. ―The
Gear-based macroeconomic policies — that are now so widely denigrated — helped to ensure 17
years of uninterrupted economic growth until the global downturn in 2008.
―They also enabled the ANC government to achieve singular success in fighting inflation and in
slashing our national debt from 47% of gross domestic product in 1994 to only 22% in 2008.
―We have done badly wherever we have followed restrictive ideological approaches, particularly in the
labour market; in land reform; and in the deployment of under- qualified cadres to key posts in
government departments, municipalities and parastatals.‖
mkokelis@bdfm.co.za
http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/Content.aspx?id=123570
7

High crime levels drag SA down in governance rating
October 5, 2010
By Sapa
High crime levels dragged South Africa's ranking down to fifth place out of 53 African countries in a
report on good governance released yesterday.
"South Africa scored highest in public management and lowest in the area of personal safety," Mo
Ibrahim Foundation board director Mamphela Ramphele said. .
"We are not doing so well when it comes to personal safety issues, crime, and so on," she said at the
annual release of the Ibrahim Index of African Governance report in Johannesburg.
"South Africa is in the Top 10 in every other category? but (with crime) we are lounging down there
with the Somalians of this day and Zimbabweans. It's not a pretty place."
Ramphele said South Africa had achieved an overall score of 70 for governance quality - which put it
in fifth place - but, in the personal safety sub-category, the country was ranked in 44th place.
The countries that scored even worse than South Africa on personal safety were Cameroon, Nigeria,
Chad, Mauritania, Zimbabwe, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia.
Mauritius, the Seychelles and Cape Verde were ranked as the safest countries in Africa, with
Botswana at number six and Namibia at number eight.
The report measures personal safety by looking at the levels of criminality in a country and the
prevalence of violent crime and violent social unrest, among other things.
A total of 35 African countries did worse in the Safety and Rule of Law categories than the year
before.
Ramphele said she believed that the root of the problem was in the "political culture" of some African
countries.
"Governments get tempted to start wanting to regulate the things they shouldn't be regulating," she
said.
She cited the ANC proposal to set up a media appeals tribunal as an example, but said that the data
used in this report were for the year 2008/2009 and did not include the latest information on the media
tribunal.
Ramphele added that South Africa did well in some areas and was ranked the third-best country in
southern Africa.
However, there was still much room for improvement. "In our country, South Africa, we have fantastic
policies but the performance doesn't always match the policies," she said.
She said the aim of a report like this was to keep close tabs on governments, arguing that the only
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solution to better governance was citizens' involvement. Asked if Africa's traditional high voter
turnouts did not show that citizens were involved, she said this was not enough.
"There are numerous examples of abuse of citizens at polls," said Ramphele, saying often voters
were bussed in to polling stations or were given blankets to vote for specific candidates.
According to Ramphele, citizens should act like shareholders in companies and "engage" when they
are not happy with delivery.
"You write letters, you call the chair(man), that's engagement. You don't only go to meetings. Voter
turnout is no helpful measure; it does not give quality participation.
Ramphele said African governments needed to move away from "harping" on about their liberation
efforts of the past, and instead should start looking toward the future and focus on delivery.
She said for the second consecutive year, the Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership
was not awarded.
The foundation's prize committee decided that it would undermine its cause, which is to promote
excellence, by handing out the award this year.
"It is for exceptional leadership. We are not going to say because someone did a reasonable job we
are going to award," Ramphele said.
The accolade was not awarded in 2009 either, for the same reason.
Previous laureates included former Mozambican president Joaquim Chissano, former Botswana
president Festus Mogae and former South African president Nelson Mandela
http://www.busrep.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=561&fArticleId=5673855
9

Dorpe klou aan miljarde
2010-10-05 00:23
Lizel Steenkamp
Kaapstad. – Munisipaliteite het die afgelope boekjaar nagelaat om byna R2,2 miljard te bestee aan
noodsaaklike infrastruktuur om basiese dienste aan inwoners te lewer.
Dít terwyl woedende betogers in dieselfde tydperk miljoene rande se skade aangerig het tydens 52
gewelddadige optogte teen swak dienslewering.
Luidens die departement van samewerkende regering en tradisionele sake se verslag vir die 2009-
‘10-boekjaar het munisipaliteite ‘n subsidie van R8,7 miljard van die nasionale tesourie vir
infrastruktuurontwikkeling (MIG) ontvang. Net R6,6 miljard, of 75%, van dié subsidie is bestee. Veral
munisipaliteite in landelike gebiede het die swakste presteer omdat hulle ‘n vaardigheidstekort het en
sukkel om professionele bestuurslui te lok en te behou.
Munisipaliteite in die volgende provinsies het die slegste gevaar en soveel van hul subsidie nie bestee
nie:
Noordwes: R352 miljoen, of 39%;
Mpumalanga: R354 miljoen, of 38%;
Gauteng: R104 miljoen, of 37%;
Vrystaat: R267 miljoen, of 34%;
Oos-Kaap: R593 miljoen, of 31%; en
Noord-Kaap: R144 miljoen, of 43%.
Daarenteen het munisipaliteite in die Wes-Kaap hul hele subsidie bestee, dié in KwaZulu-Natal 95%
daarvan en dié in Limpopo 83% daarvan.
Daar is selfs sewe munisipaliteite in die land wat nie ‘n enkele sent van hul infrastruktuurbegroting
bestee het nie en 37 het minder as die helfte bestee.
Weens onderbesteding is geld ingevolge die Wet op die Verdeling van Inkomste (tussen drie
regeringsvlakke) van onder meer die volgende munisipaliteite weerhou:
Gauteng: Emfuleni (Vanderbijlpark en Vereeniging) en Westonaria;
Limpopo: Polokwane (Pietersburg) en Modimolle (Nylstroom);
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Mpumalanga: Mbombela (Nelspruit), Delmas en Mkhondo (Piet Retief);
Noordwes: Madibeng (Brits en Hartbeespoort), Tswaing (Sannieshof, Delareyville, Ottosdal),
Mafikeng, Lekwa (Standerton), Ventersdorp, Maquassi Hills (Wolmaransstad, Leeudoringstad
en Makwassie) enTlokwe (Potchefstroom); en
Vrystaat: Metsimaholo (Sasolburg); Tswelopele (Hoopstad en Bultfontein), Naledi (Vryburg)
en Letsemeng (Koffiefontein).
―Ten spyte daarvan dat geld in Augustus, Desember en Februarie 2010 weerhou is, het (sekere)
munisipaliteite hul MIG steeds onderbestee,‖ lui die verslag.
Die nasionale departement het gevolglik provinsiale taakspanne aangestel om
probleemmunisipaliteite in Mei en September verlede jaar te besoek en ingenieurs en finansiële
kenners is ook ontplooi.
Volgens mnr. Elroy Africa, direkteur-generaal, het die departement goed gevorder ―en sal die impak
eers in die huidige boekjaar gesien word tydens die inwerkingstelling van verskeie wetgewende en
beleidshervormings‖.
Mnr. Yunus Carrim, adjunkminister van samewerkende regering en tradisionele sake, het inwoners
gister daarvan beskuldig dat hulle nie betrokke genoeg is en seker maak dat munisipaliteite hul werk
doen nie.
―Die regering kan nie alleen die skuld dra vir swak dienslewering nie.‖
http://www.beeld.com/Suid-Afrika/Nuus/Dorpe-klou-aan-miljarde-20101004
11

Probation is not the easy way out for employers
01 November 2010
Ivan Israelstam
Contrary to popular belief a probation clause is not a licence to fire the employee at will. Despite this
fact employers frequently misuse the probationary status of the employee to get rid of the employee
because:
the employee has committed misconduct
the employer wants to make space for a brother, friend or cousin of the owner
the employee ‗does not fit in‘
a manager ‗does not like the employee‘s face‘
In fact the labour law meaning of ‗probation‘ is ‗testing the employee‘s work performance‘. That is, the
only legitimate purpose of a probationary period is for the employer to assess the suitability of the
employee in terms of his/her work performance.
A probationary employee is one who has a conditional employment contract (written or unwritten).
That is, the continuation of the contract is conditional on whether the employee‘s work performance
during the probationary period shows that he/she is or is not able to carry out the work properly. While
this describes the purpose of the probationary period it does not mean that the employer has a free
licence to fire the probationer if the employer believes his/her performance to be unsatisfactory.
The employer is allowed to extend the employee‘s probation period in order to further assess the
employee‘s performance. This might occur, for example, where the employee shows promise but has
made some errors or the opportunity for evaluation has been reduced during the initial probation
period.
However, before extending the probation period the employer is required to give the employee the
opportunity to make representations as regards the proposed extension.
The biggest mistake that employers frequently make is believing that the conditional nature of the
probationary employment reduces the probationer‘s labour law rights.
On the contrary, the employer that places an employee on probation has a number of legal
obligations including:
Making it clear that the employee is on probation
Clarifying the length of the probation period
Setting reasonable performance standards
specifying for and explaining to the employee the performance standards required
evaluating and monitoring the employee‘s performance against the set performance
standards
informing the employee of performance shortcomings
issuing warnings to the employee where he/she is failing to meet the required standards
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assisting, guiding, counselling, training the employee where necessary
before dismissing the probationer, giving him/her an opportunity to state his/her case.
For example, in the case of Fraser vs Caxton Publishers (2005, 3 BALR 323) the employee was fired
for falsifying her CV and for incompatibility. She took the matter to the CCMA where the arbitrator
agreed that she was indeed guilty of the conduct for which she had been fired. The arbitrator also
agreed that this misconduct was serious enough to merit dismissal. Despite this the arbitrator found
the dismissal to be unfair because the employer had not given the employee a chance to defend
herself against the charges. The employer was therefore ordered to pay the employee compensation
equal to four months‘ remuneration.
In the case of Tharratt vs Volume Injection Products (Pty) Ltd (2005, 6 BALR 652) the employee was
dismissed during his probation period for poor performance. As the employer had failed to investigate
the cause of the poor performance the CCMA found the dismissal to be unfair. The employer was
therefore ordered to pay the employee compensation equal to three months‘ remuneration.
These cases highlight the fact that probationary employees are strongly protected by labour law. At
the same time, probationary employees often do not work out as well as was hoped. While the law
allows the employer to dismiss such failures they must follow strict procedures first.
Probation can be a very useful tool for the employer but must only be used after the employer has
utilised labour law expertise in:
Designing a probationary policy and procedure
Setting realistic performance standards
Designing measures for monitoring and evaluating work performance
Training management in probation law and in the implementation of the probation policy and
procedure.
lvan lsraelstam is the Chief Executive of Labour Law Management Consulting.
Our appreciation to Ivan and The Star newspaper for permission to publish this article...
http://www.labourguide.co.za/most-recent-publications/probation-is-not-the-easy-way-out-foremployers?utm_source=MailingList&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Probation
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Can an employer dismiss for derivative or team misconduct?
27 October 2010
Johanette Rheeder
Employers are sometimes faced with misconduct but no evidence to prove it as the witnesses refuse
to come forward or to testify. The common law duty to act in good faith towards the employer flies out
the window and the employer is faced with the difficult decision as to whether it is going to start
charging witnesses for failing to report misconduct or to come forward with information and evidence.
Employers in the retail industry faces huge losses to theft or industrial espionage and the guilty party
or parties are never identified although many are aware of the misconduct, but they are either sharing
in the proceeds or are just not prepared to come forward with information to assist the employer in
identifying the thieves.
In Foschini Group v Maidi & others (2009) 18 LAC 1.25.2; [2010] 7 BLLR 689 (LAC) five employees
(the full staff compliment in that store) were charged with ―failure to secure assets of the company‖
after substantial stock losses were detected at the clothing store where they had been employed. The
employer could not prove that they were in fact stealing the stock, however they were dismissed in
their absence for ―Gross negligence by failing to take proper care of company property under their
control resulting in a financial loss of R 207 000 as well as an irretrievable breakdown in the trust
relationship. The stock losses reached a level in excess of 28% (some 1 553 items over a period of
six months) which was contributed to their lack of commitment towards the company. The company
conducted a thorough investigation by sending a manager to the store in question, who conducted the
investigation himself, which preceded and founded his report.
The Commissioner in the arbitration proceedings (and as confirmed by the LAC) looked at various
cases where the question of collective misconduct or sanction was considered. Grogan is of the view
that, in the context of employees in a small store, who are unable to point to some cause for the stock
loss, the species of misconduct upon which the company relies when it calls members of an entire
staff to book for stock loss, although collective in nature, would be better described as ‘team
misconduct. The team is responsible for maintaining the stock and in the case of ‗team misconduct‘
the employer dismisses a group of workers because responsibility for the collective conduct of the
group is indivisible. It should be noted therefore that the principle is not that some (the innocent) must
suffer because the employer cannot pin point the guilty. In this case, all are held responsible for not
complying with the rule and not acting in good faith in executing their duties. It therefore lies in each
employee‘s individual culpability for the failure of the group to attain the performance standard set by
the employer.
In Chauke & others v Lee Service Centre CC t/a Leeson Motors (1998) 19 ILJ 1441 (LAC) [also
reported at [1998] JOL 3076 (LAC), the Labour Appeal Court held that an employer, who suffered
continuously under industrial sabotage perpetrated by unidentified employees, was entitled to dismiss
all the employees on the shop floor where the damages occurred, on the basis that the employees
must have known who the perpetrators were and failed to come forward and identify them. Again, the
employees made them guilty of a special misconduct – breach of trust and duty of care towards the
employer.
Although the principle in question causes problems in light of the principle of fairness in our law,
Cameron JA in the Chauke case formulated two lines of justification for a fair dismissal in such
circumstances. The first is where an employee, who is part of the group of perpetrators, is under a
duty to assist the employer in bringing the guilty to book. The second is where an employee has or
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may reasonably be supposed to have information concerning the guilty but fails or refuse to disclose
same. His or her failure to come forward with the information may itself amount to misconduct as the
relationship between employer and employee is in its essentials one of trust and confidence, and,
even at common law, conduct clearly inconsistent with that essential warranted termination of
employment. The LAC found failure to assist an employer in bringing the guilty to book violates this
duty and may itself justify dismissal.‖
The learned Judge of Appeal further held that this derived justification is wide enough ―to encompass
those innocent of the main misconduct, but who through their silence make themselves guilty of a
derivative violation of trust and confidence.
www.glmi.co.za
http://www.labourguide.co.za/most-recent-publications/can-an-employer-dismiss-for-derivative-orteam-
misconduct?utm_source=MailingList&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=team+misconduct
15

Retrenchments and misconduct dismissals don’t mix
26 October 2010
Ivan Israelstam
When companies suffer financial losses the ripple effect can be tsunami-like. Investors can be ruined,
employees can lose jobs and heads can roll. It is normal for employers to retrench employees after
serious losses have been incurred because the employer cannot afford to pay their salaries. It can
also happen that those executives responsible for managing the company are disciplined for allowing
the financial losses to occur. However, employers must be careful not to mix up the retrenchment of
an executive with his/her dismissal for misconduct such as, for example, dereliction of duty.
Employers must be equally careful not to discipline executives for ulterior motives. For example,
where the board of directors is under pressure from shareholders to explain the company‘s losses
they may look for scapegoats in order to relieve this pressure.
Often therefore, the CEO or MD lands on the carpet in front of the board of directors. Sometimes the
accusing finger is in fact pointed in the right direction but just as often the wrong head rolls because
the culprits have conspired to scapegoat an easy target or someone outside the main clique.
Very frequently, by the time the scapegoat has been able to recover from the shock of the false
allegations and has perhaps even been able to throw some doubt on the allegations against him/her,
the damage has been done. That is:
the culprits have closed ranks and testimony is hard to come by
important documentary evidence has been doctored or destroyed
the powers that be have decided that the real culprit is not expendable
it has been agreed who will have to be sacrificed
acrimony and backstabbing have destroyed the working relationship and the scapegoat no
longer wants to stay with the company or other organisation.
Scapegoating can result not only in the unnecessary loss for the employer of key skills but can also
tarnish the reputation of the employer. From the employee‘s point of view his/her name will have been
muddied and his/her career prospects may have been damaged. However, in certain circumstances
employees can block attempts at scapegoating.
For example, in the case of Van As vs African Bank Ltd (2005, 3 BLLR 304) the employer suffered
serious financial losses and hence instituted disciplinary proceedings against its Chief Executive
Officer who was suspended pending a hearing. Before the hearing was convened the employer and
the CEO signed a retrenchment agreement in which it was agreed that the CEO would leave the
16

company for reasons of operational requirements. Despite this the employer decided to proceed with
the disciplinary hearing.
The CEO applied to court for an order interdicting the employer from dismissing him for misconduct.
He contended that:
The employer could not discipline him after a retrenchment agreement had been concluded
The employer was merely trying to scapegoat him for the losses incurred by the bank.
The Court found that, by entering into the retrenchment agreement the employer had waived its right
to dismiss the CEO for misconduct. It ordered the employer to desist from such dismissal and to
adhere to the terms of the retrenchment agreement. It also awarded costs against the employer.
The cost of this matter to the employer must have been high because not only did it have to bear its
own legal costs it also had to pay those of the employee and waste the valuable time on the court
case.
This could have been avoided had the employer made proper use of the appropriate experts to:
assess the matter holistically
investigate whether the CEO could really be blamed for the losses and whether there was
sufficient proof of this
decide whether discipline or retrenchment was most appropriate in practical terms and from a
legal point of view
help decide on a strategy that would satisfy the employer‘s practical needs but at the same
time avoid infringing the law.
lvan lsraelstam is the Chief Executive of Labour Law Management Consulting. He may be
contacted on (011) 888-7944 or 0828522973 or on e-mail address: labourlaw@absamail.co.za .
Our appreciation to Ivan and The Star newspaper for permission to publish this article.
17

Courts getting stricter on retrenchments
21 October 2010
Ivan Israelstam
When presiding over unfair retrenchment cases our courts have started to look much more closely
than before at:
the circumstances of each case and
whether there could have been some way of saving jobs
whether the employer tried hard enough to save jobs.
For example, in the case of FAWU vs SA Breweries Ltd (Contemporary Labour Law Vol 14 No. 2
September 2004) the employer retrenched employees after a major reorganisation in the way that
work was done. This change required that production employees would need to be able to perform a
much wider variety of work than previously. In order to establish whether these employees had the
required skills to work in the changed jobs the employer applied, amongst others, the ‗ABET test‘.
That is, in the absence of other suitable educational qualifications, the employer tested the employees
to assess their levels of at Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET). Certain employees who failed
these tests were selected for retrenchment.
The Labour Court found that:
Retrenchment has a ―.. deleterious impact on the life of workers and their families …‖ and can
be seen as a ―death penalty‖
Therefore an employer contemplating retrenchments must be able to prove that such
dismissals were implemented as ―a last resort‖
And if there was a viable alternative to retrenchments the employer is obliged to implement it
SAB acted unilaterally in applying the ABET levels
These ABET levels were not a valid test of the retrenchees‘ ability to work in the newly
created jobs. This is because ABET measures more general abilities rather than the specific
skills required for the specific jobs in question. The employees‘ experience should also be
taken into account in assessing their suitability for the jobs.
SAB did not argue that it did not have the funds to devise a valid and appropriate test to
assess the suitability of the employees for the newly created positions. The employer
therefore could have and should have had such appropriate tests designed.
The retrenchees had long service
Due to apartheid the employees‘ only schooling option had been ―Bantu education‖
SAB had not taken adequate steps to assist the employees to obtain the desired ABET skills
levels
SAB had been inflexible as regards the consultation process.
The retrenchments of these employees was unfair both procedurally and substantively (i.e.
was for unfair reasons).
In the case of CWIU and Others vs Latex Surgical Products (Pty) Ltd (2006, 2 BLLR 142) the
employer gave notice to the trade union that it proposed the possible retrenchment of 33 employees.
18

After consultation the employer implemented retrenchments for reason of its financial circumstances.
In deciding on which employees were to be retrenched the employer rated all the employees on six
criteria and chose those whose ratings were the lowest. The employees who were retrenched lodged
a dispute with the Labour Court which found that the retrenchments were fair. The union went to the
Labour Appeal Court which found that:
After the retrenchments the employer had hired a large number of casual workers. This
persuaded the Court that there had not been a good reason to retrench the employees as
there was clearly work for them to do.
The employer had neither shown how it had applied the criteria for choosing who to retrench
nor that it had applied these criteria objectively.
The retrenchments were therefore declared to be unfair and those employees who had not found
other jobs were reinstated with 12 months back pay.
Employers need to learn form the above cases that:
The law keeps changing and all employers need to keep up with these changes
Retrenching employees and replacing them with others is unacceptable
Employers must use retrenchment criteria that can be measured objectively and must be able
to show that such objective measurements were in fact made and properly used
Retrenching employees is becoming harder and harder
The biggest, most powerful and most experienced of employers can lose in the Labour Court.
Therefore, no effort must be spared in ensuring legal compliance
The need to apply labour law expertise is not a luxury but a basic necessity
Such expertise must be applied before a retrenchment decision is made.
lvan lsraelstam is the Chief Executive of Labour Law Management Consulting. He may be
contacted on (011) 888-7944 or 0828522973 or on e-mail address: labourlaw@absamail.co.za
Our appreciation to Ivan and The Star newspaper for permission to publish this article.
19

Rising demand for credit suggests recovery
ALISTAIR ANDERSON and MARIAM ISA, Published: 2010/11/01 06:39:57 AM
Credit extended to the private sector accelerated more than expected last month, with corporate
borrowing rising for the first time in one-and-a-half years, providing rare good news on the economic
recovery. Borrowing by households and companies rose 4,4% compared with the corresponding
month last year, up from 3% in August, data from the Reserve Bank showed on Friday.
Overall credit has now expanded for five months in a row.At the same time, SA‘s trade balance
returned to the black with a surprise surplus of R3,6bn last month, the South African Revenue Service
(SARS) said on Friday.
Consensus forecasts had predicted a R2,3bn deficit, after a R4,7bn shortfall in August, but the figures
are highly volatile.The Bank said that credit extended to households rose 6,3%, up from 5,6% in
August and reinforcing evidence that consumer spending, the economy‘s main engine, is gathering
momentum.
But the surprise was in corporate borrowing, which rose 1,4% year on year last month after a
contraction of 1% in August. It was the first rise in business borrowing since May last year, when it
rose 2,2%. ―I think the data are starting to show that the business environment in SA is starting to
improve a bit but it‘s off a low base and still a pretty subdued number,‖ said Absa Capital economist
Jeffrey Schultz.
But he did not think the figures would dissuade the Bank from cutting interest rates by January .
―There‘s probably scope for one more rate cut but we‘re looking at this stage at a January rate cut as
it will take a bit of time for them to factor in a much stronger exchange rate into their inflation forecast.‖
The Bank trimmed its repo rate by half a percentage point to 6% at its last policy meeting last month.
Mortgage advances, which make up 73% of household credit, were a key driver of the credit
extension, rising 4,8% last month compared with the same month last year. ―But growth is still
subdued compared to high growth rates seen before the crisis,‖ said Investec economist Kgotso
Radira. Over the past few months, growth in mortgages has been driven by individuals while
companies are cautious. SARS said exports rose 9,6% last month, boosted by a sharp climb in
mineral products . Imports fell 6,9%, mainly due to a 35% plunge in the vehicles, aircraft and vessels
category.
In the first nine months of this year, SA had a cumulative trade surplus of R9,5bn, versus R18,5bn
deficit in the same period last year, the SARS data showed. These figures were surprisingly good
news as sustained strength in the rand erodes the competitiveness of local exports.
The rand has risen nearly 7% against the dollar in the year to date, and more than 4% on a
tradeweighted basis.
Analysts expect the trade balance to deteriorate in the months ahead, as the strong rand and
domestic demand boost imports.
http://www.businessday.co.za/Articles/Content.aspx?id=125403
20

SA manufacturing conditions improve, but sector still lags
rest of world
November 2, 2010, By Ethel Hazelhurst
South Africa is one of a number of countries that yesterday reported improved conditions in the
manufacturing sector.
However, South Africa continues to lag the rest of the world, with the Kagiso purchasing managers
index (PMI) remaining below the key 50-point level. The PMI, an indicator of the health of the
manufacturing sector, edged back towards neutral territory last month, reaching 49.8 points from 48.6
in September. A figure below 50 is a sign of contraction in the manufacturing sector.
News from the rest of the world was more upbeat, with PMIs in positive territory. Reuters reported that
in China, the official PMI rose to a six-month high of 54.7 index points last month from 53.8 in
September, easily beating market forecasts of 52.9; and the HSBC Markit PMI for India rose to 57.2 in
October from 55.1 in September. Later in the day the UK reported its PMI rose to 54.9 points from
53.5. In the US the Institute for Supply Management's factory index rose to 56.9 in October from 54.4
a month earlier.The unexpectedly strong data from China and India helped boost markets early in the
global trading day. The JSE all share index responded with an intraday high of 30 646 points at
9.24am.
The improvement in South Africa's manufacturing sector made little impact when reported in midmorning
- an indication that local financial markets are more vulnerable to global than domestic
events.South Africa's manufacturing sector has been out of step with the rest of the world in the past
few months due to strikes in the automotive sector in August. This is according to economist Hugo
Pienaar, a senior economist at the Bureau for Economic Research. Pienaar said the Kagiso PMI
usually correlated closely with the global PMI, though lagging by a few months, but recently the
pattern had been disrupted. However, he said the latest PMI showed the sector could be resuming its
former growth path. And he forecast some recovery in factory production in the fourth quarter.
He based his view on the performance of "demand-related" components of the PMI. "New sales
orders rose back above the key 50 point mark with purchasing commitments remaining in
expansionary territory. Furthermore, October saw a nice bounce (+5.5 index points) in the inventory
index." He described the 2.8 percent increase in the business activity index (volumes of production) to
48.7 points as "the most encouraging development" from a factory perspective. "While still below 50,
the gain in October suggests that the weak readings during August and September may at least
partially have been the result of temporary factors."
Absa Capital said the figure at below 50 supported its expectation of a further half percentage point
rate cut by the Reserve Bank's monetary policy committee in January next year.Standard Bank said:
"The October PMI indicates that growth momentum in the manufacturing sector remains weak. The
slow recovery in this sector, coupled with continued job-shedding and the benign inflation outlook,
reinforces Standard Bank's expectation of a 50 basis point interest rate cut this month."
http://www.busrep.co.za/?fArticleId=5712143
21

Trade balance records surprise surplus
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA Oct 29 2010 15:01
In a statement on Friday, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) said a trade surplus of R3,6-
billion had been recorded, compared with a deficit of R4,7-billion in August.
The market had been expecting a deficit of R2,1-billion in September.
"The R3,6-billion surplus for September 2010 was due to an increase in exports of 9,6% and a
decrease in imports of 6,9%.
Exports of R53,16-billion for September 2010 and imports of R49,54-billion resulted in the surplus of
R3,62-billion.
"The rise in exports is encouraging, but the strong trend is unlikely to be maintained against the
backdrop of a faltering global economy," Nedbank Group's economic unit said.
Imports, on the other hand, were likely to benefit from improving consumer incomes, low interest rates
and a strong rand in the coming months.
"These figures have little implications for monetary policy and we still expect the Reserve Bank to
leave interest rates unchanged at its meeting in November before easing in the new year," Nedbank
said. – Sapa
http://www.mg.co.za/article/2010-10-29-trade-balance-records-surprise-surplus
22

Producer inflation slows unexpectedly
ALISTAIR ANDERSON
Published: 2010/10/29 07:11:27 AM
THE rate of price increases at factories, farms
and mines slowed last month despite
expectations that they would rise,
strengthening the case for an interest rate cut
next month.
The producer price index (PPI) rose by a
surprising 6,8% last month compared with the
corresponding month last year, dipping from
7,8% in August, data from Statistics SA
showed yesterday .
A Reuters survey of economists had predicted
an 8% increase.
The figures followed the news that last month
consumer inflation slowed to its lowest level in
more than five years.
This — along with lacklustre retail sales and
manufacturing figures — means the Reserve
Bank may cut interest rates by another half a
percentage point at its monetary p olicy m
eeting next month .
―We have argued that the cutting cycle may
not be at an end, although the rate call is quite
data dependent as it is usual towards the end
of a cycle,‖ Cadiz Asset Management‘s
Adenaan Hardien said yesterday.
The switchover to summer electricity tariffs
had a greater effect on electricity prices than
predicted by various analysts, causing a drop
of 32,8% in electricity costs.
Electricity prices carry a significant 6,86%
weight in the PPI.
Fruits and vegetables, meat and petroleum
products also saw price falls. In contrast,
manufactured goods inflation was slightly up
from August, at 2,6% year on year.
The imports component of the PPI also
moderated, increasing marginally by 0,7%
year on year, after August‘s strong 2,1% rise.
This was possibly due to the strong rand and
its effect on imports .
But producer price inflation for exported goods
continued to climb, rising 7,6% year on year,
compared with 7,2% in August.
Absa Capital said that even though the PPI
was a relatively weak proxy for consumer
prices, given its substantial commodity
weighting, there was evidence that it would
help keep inflation low.
―The components within the PPI which have
more feed-through into consumer prices
remained well contained and, together with a
stronger currency, in our view, supports our
expectation for price pressures to remain
relatively well contained over the medium
term.‖
Absa Capital said yesterday that it expected
the Bank to hold off cutting interest rates at its
policy meeting next month.
However, it said it was possible that the
Reserve Bank would curb the repo rate at its
meeting in January , when it had had enough
time to change its inflation outlook and had
reviewed all the relevant data releases .
The Bank has cut its key repo rate by six
percentage points since December 2008,
taking it to 6%, a 30-year low.
andersona@bdfm.co.za
http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/Content.
aspx?id=125262
23

Gordhan slashes deficit as R30bn revenue overrun
October 28, 2010
Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan announced bold steps to stem the appreciation of the rand
yesterday, and forecast a series of smaller than expected budget deficits despite political pressure for
higher spending.
Part of an almost R30bn tax revenue overrun this year would be used to build foreign exchange
reserves while exchange controls were eased, both for individuals and companies, he said.
The news knocked the rand 1,7 percent weaker to R7,07 against the dollar, erasing some of the hefty
gains over the past year which threaten the economy‘s recovery.
Mr Gordhan‘s medium-term budget policy statement made clear a tight rein would be kept on official
purse-strings in the next three years, despite faster growth and higher tax revenue.
"Over the next three years, as the economy grows, the pace of government spending growth will
moderate in a countercyclical fashion,‖ the Treasury said.
Without a slowdown in official spending, budgets would continue to be financed through borrowing
instead of tax revenue.
This would eventually curb growth of new spending and create a rising debt burden for South Africans
in the future, it warned.
Mr Gordhan‘s statement will disappoint the left-wing allies of the African National Congress, which
have demanded a more expansionist approach to boost growth and job creation.
The Treasury revised its growth forecasts for the economy up more than expected, predicting
expansion of 3 percent this year and an acceleration to 4,4 percent in 2013.
But Mr Gordhan said growth would have to rise by more than 6 percent a year for a decade to
achieve a goal of creating 5-million jobs.
"SA is doing well compared with the rest of the world, but we need to be very aware that we live in
very uncertain times,‖ he said.
The economy shrank 1,8 percent last year, which marked its first recession since 1992, in step with
the global downturn.
The highlight of the policy statement was measures to curb gains in the rand, which the Treasury said
was about 12 percent above its average for the past decade.
The Reserve Bank said qualifying international companies with headquarters in SA would be able to
raise and deploy capital offshore without the need for prior approval from January 1 2011 .
The limits on offshore portfolio investments by resident individual and pension fund investors will be
raised, and the requirement that emigrants pay a 10 percent exit levy on blocked assets will be lifted.
24

There may be more steps taken, after assessing the rand‘s reaction to current measures.
"Further steps to moderate the impact of capital flows on the economy will be considered, drawing on
both international experience and assessment of the likely local impact,‖ Mr Gordhan said in a speech
to Parliament.
SA‘s authorities have so far said they are not in favour of taxing capital inflows, a measure deployed
by other developing economies in a bid to stem gains in their currencies — a trend which erodes the
competitiveness of their exports.
The Treasury also made clear that it would keep public sector wage hikes in check, budgeting for a
6,3 percent compensation increase over the next three years. That includes money for new jobs. But
this year, a provision of R6,2bn had to be made for higher than expected pay costs for public sector
workers.
"Disproportionate‖ wage increases unrelated to productivity trends in the economy would reduce
capital and investment spending and ―retard‖ growth and job creation, the Treasury said. A balance
would have to be struck between providing a stimulus to the economy and reducing debt with the
average real growth in noninterest government expenditure being kept to a moderate 2,7 percent a
year over the next three years.
"As the economy recovers, government will tighten its stance to avoid pushing up interest rates and
crowding private sector investment,‖ the policy statement read.
The Treasury revised its budget deficit for the current fiscal year down to 5,3 percent of gross
domestic product compared with the 6,2 percent forecast at its February budget.
It has projected further falls to 4,6 percent (5 percent), 3,9 percent (4,1 percent) and 3,2 percent over
the next three years.
The borrowing requirement for the 2010-11 fiscal year has been slashed to R140bn from the budget‘s
R175bn estimate. - I-Net Bridge.
http://www.busrep.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=5706559
25

Lae inflasie kan nog jare heers
Okt 28 2010 08:00 René Vollgraaff
Pretoria. - Inflasie kan vir minstens die volgende drie jaar binne die Reserwebank se teikenband van
3% tot 6% bly, maar daar is in dié stadium geen duidelikheid oor of dit verdere rentekoersdalings sal
beteken nie.
Mnr. Pravin Gordhan, minister van finansies, het gister in sy mediumtermyn-begrotingsraamwerk in
die parlement in Kaapstad gesê die tesourie verwag dat inflasie volgens die verbruikersprysindeks
(VPI) vanjaar gemiddeld 4,4% sal wees, volgende jaar 4,7% en in 2012 net 5%.
Dit is heelwat laer as die verwagte inflasiekoerse vir SubSahara-Afrika. Die lae inflasieverwagtinge is
danksy klein stygings in kospryse en ‘n relatief gunstige wisselkoers, lui die begrotingsraamwerk.
Gordhan waarsku egter in dieselfde asem dat daar ten spyte van lae inflasie steeds onderliggende
inflasiedruk is. ―Ten einde te keer dat (hoë) inflasie weer sy kop uitsteek moet monetêre beleid steeds
daarop fokus om inflasieverwagtinge te anker en finansiële stabiliteit te ondersteun om groei en
indiensneming te bevorder,‖ lui die raamwerk.
Verskeie ekonome het in die afgelope tyd bespiegel dat rentekoerse verder kan daal in die lig van
brose ekonomiese groei, laer as verwagte inflasie en die rand se versterking teenoor veral die
Amerikaanse dollar, wat ‘n groot bydraende faktor tot laer inflasie is. ‘n Laer rentekoers kan volgens
sommige groepe ook help om die land minder aantreklik vir buitelandse beleggers in drahandelprodukte
te maak, maar die meeste ekonome stem saam dat rentekoerse tot dieselfde vlak as dié van
die VSA, dit wil sê sowat 0,1%, sal moet daal om dié soort beleggers af te skrik.
Die repokoers is ná verlede maand se verlaging van ‘n halwe persentasiepunt 6% en die prima
uitleenkoers 9,5%, die laagste vlak in 30 jaar.
VPI-inflasie was in Augustus 3,5% op ‘n jaargrondslag en het in September tot 3,2% gedaal. Dit is
nou die agtste agtereenvolgende maand dat inflasie binne die Reserwebank se teikenband is.
Die Reserwebank se monetêrebeleidskomitee (MBK) vergader volgende maand weer oor
rentekoerse.
Nedbank se groep- ekonomiese eenheid sê aangesien die bank in die verlede huiwerig was om rente
aggressief te verlaag, verwag hulle dat rente volgende maand en in Januarie volgende jaar
onveranderd sal bly, met ‘n moontlike daling van ‘n halwe persentasiepunt in Maart volgende jaar.
Me. Annabel Bishop, ekonoom van Investec, verwag egter dat rente volgende maand al sal daal en
sê ‘n daling van ‘n volle persentasiepunt is eintlik nodig.
Sy verwag ‘n verdere daling in Januarie volgende jaar.
Me. Gill Marcus, president van die bank, het al telkemale gewaarsku dat faktore soos loonverhogings
bo die inflasiekoers die risiko van opwaartse druk op inflasie skep.
Volgens die begrotingsraamwerk het gemiddelde loonverhogings in die eerste nege maande van die
jaar 8,3% beloop teenoor gemiddelde VPI-inflasiekoers van 4,7% in die eerste agt maande van die
jaar.
http://www.sake24.com/Ekonomie/Lae-inflasie-kan-nog-jare-heers-20101028
26

Reserve Bank sees slow leading economic indicators growth
October 25, 2010
The rate of growth in the SA Reserve Bank's (SARB) leading economic indicator slowed to 19.2
percent year-on-year (y/y) in August from 20.4 percent the previous month, data released by the bank
on Monday showed.
The leading economic indicator provides a guideline for economic growth for at least six months
ahead.
The latest increase takes the indicator to an index level of 130.9, which on a trend basis, is higher
than the 120.9 index level recorded in December 2009.
The slowdown in the y/y growth suggests that although the South African economy is likely to slow in
the months ahead, the slowdown might not be as severe as expected given the strong rand, Stanlib
economist Kevin Lings said.
Month-on-month (m/m) growth of the indicator went back to negative territory and recorded a 0.1
percent decline from a revised 1.3 percent (1.1 percent) increase in July.
July's index was revised slightly downwards to 131.0 from 130.7.
"The annual rate of change in the leading indicator is still expected to moderate in the months ahead,"
Lings said, adding that this would be due to the high base established during the past few months.
The SARB uses more than 200 economic time series to determine the turning points of the local
business cycle.
Using these indicators, the leading, coincident and lagging composite business cycle indicators are
produced.
They indicate the direction of the change in economic activity rather than the level of economic
activity.
The leading economic indicator consists of 13 sub-indicators including volume of orders in
manufacturing and business confidence.
According to the latest data, improved manufacturing order volumes, higher business confidence and
higher equity market valuations are some of the sub-indicators that contributed positively to the
August leading economic indicator.
Sub-indicators such as lower productivity in the country's manufacturing sector and lower real M1
money supply contributed negatively.
Macro strategist at Absa Capital Jeff Schultz suggested that despite the loss in momentum growth in
the leading economic indicator in recent months, in level terms the indicator remained well above the
trough of 104.9 in April 2009 and is 0.6 points below its previous cyclical peak of 131.5 in April 2010.
"Although we continue to attach some downside risk to Q3 10 GDP growth figures owing to the
significant amount of industrial strike activity throughout this period, our forecast for the economy to
grow 3.0 percent in 2010 remains intact," said Schultz.
27

The SARB data also showed that the coincident indicator, which moves in line with the economy, for
July was reported at 145.9 from a revised 144.9 (145.0) a month before.
The lagging indicator was reported at 104.5 from a revised 103.3 (102.2).
The coincident indicator is an economic factor that varies directly and simultaneously with the
business cycle, thus indicating the current state of the economy.
The lagging indicator on the other hand changes after the economy has already begun to follow a
particular trend.
Since moving out the recession in the third quarter of 2009, the country has been growing, although in
line with the leading indicator, at a slower rate.
The rate of growth in the local economy slowed between the first and second quarters of 2010, with
the leading indicator already having confirmed the slowing growth. - I-Net Bridge
http://www.busrep.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=552&fArticleId=5701247
28

Slowing retail sales dash hopes for strong recovery
ALISTAIR ANDERSON
Published: 2010/10/14 06:33:35 AM
Retail sales fell sharply in August, surprising markets and adding to evidence that the economy did
not perform well in the third quarter.
During the month itself, retail sales fell 1,4%, after edging up for two months in a row, data from
Statistics SA showed yesterday.
Compared with the corresponding month last year, retail sales growth slowed abruptly to 4,6%, well
below the 8% recorded in July, and disappointing forecasts for growth of 8,5%.
It was the slowest pace since May.
Citigroup economist Jean-Francois Mercier said it would be wrong to read too much into the retail
sales data, which could be distorted by the effects of the World Cup and labour strikes.
―But nonetheless, it appears that the retail and wholesale sectors put together will not provide a major
boost‖ to growth in the third quarter compared with the second, he said.
Part of the slowdown is being blamed on a loss of momentum after strong sales seen during the
World Cup in June and July. The public service strike could also have had an effect.
But coming on the heels of weaker then expected manufacturing data for the same month, the figures
will also reignite the debate on whether interest rates should fall further.
―The recent slowdown in retail sales growth, coupled with a moderation in manufacturing activity,
continued uncertainty about the path of global growth, an improved domestic inflation projection and
the still strong rand will re-energise the debate on the … outlook for domestic interest rates,‖ said
Stanlib economist Kevin Lings.
Retail trade makes up about 12% of the economy‘s output and is the second-biggest employer,
providing 22% of jobs in the formal sector.
A breakdown of the data showed a deterioration in most components of the sales compared with the
year- earlier month.
But furniture and appliance sales rose 21,1%, up from 13,9% in July, while sales in the hardware,
paint and glass category rose 5,8% after a 6,6% decline in July.
Growth in cosmetics and pharmaceutical goods sales fell the most, dropping from 13,4% year on year
in July of this year to 3,9% year on year in August.
Sales of food and beverages also took a knock, contracting by 2,9% in August compared with the
same month last year. Year on year growth in July was 2,4%.
General dealers growth eased from 9,4% year on year in July to 3,7% year on year in August.
29

Separately, wholesale sales data for the month rose 1,3% after a fall of 1,5% in July.
One of the problems is that SA‘s consumers remain heavily burdened by debt, which amounts to 78%
of the disposable income of households.
This has put heavy pressure on consumer spending, the main growth engine in SA‘s economy.
Official data from the Reserve Bank showed that growth in household spending moderated to 4,8% in
the second quarter of the year, from 5,1% in the first quarter.
Not all analysts believed the slowdown in manufacturing and retail activity would prompt the Bank to
cut interest rates again.
―Going further into the year we still believe that retail activity will be the mainstay of the South African
economic recovery,‖ said Monale Ratsoma, an economist at Thebe Securities.
―Trends in household borrowing suggest that retail activity is likely to continue its steady ascent,‖ he
said.
Private sector borrowing increased for the fourth month in a row during August.
andersona@bdfm.co.za
http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/Content.aspx?id=123679
30

Trade activity index enters positive territory
ALISTAIR ANDERSON
Published: 2010/10/13 06:40:33 AM
Current trade conditions moved into positive territory last month, according to the trade activity index
released yesterday by the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI).
The index had been in negative territory since May, implying that most survey respondents had not
been positive about trade conditions for three successive months.
The index showed that current trade conditions jumped to 51 last month from 45 in August, although
this was still one point lower than in September last year.
All the components of physical trade activity enjoyed marked increases last month. This was despite
strikes in the motor sector last month which prevented SA from exporting car parts.
―Sales volumes were boosted from 50 in August to 59 in September. This is a return to the high levels
experienced in February-March this year,‖ SACCI economist Richard Downing said.
The supplier delivery index increased from 44 in August to 52 last month, and stock levels also picked
up from 44 to 52 last month in anticipation of year-end activity.
Foreign sentiment about SA‘s economy may have lifted a bit as the trade expectations index declined
only marginally, from 61 in August to 60 last month.
The indices of expectations on sales volumes and supplier deliveries eased but new orders and
inventories strengthened marginally.
Inflationary expectations relaxed as the index on selling decreased by two points, while the input
prices index dropped by one point.
http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/Content.aspx?id=123583
31

Slowing factory output spells trouble
October 13, 2010
By Ethel Hazelhurst
Figures for manufacturing production in August confirm the economic recovery is stuttering. Growth in
production slowed to 5.3 percent year on year, from 7.2 percent in July, Statistics SA reported
yesterday. On a monthly basis, output shrank 3.6 percent in August.
The figure, which is adjusted for seasonal factors, is a bigger decline than the market expected,
according to Jean-Francois Mercier, an economist at Citi. He said forecasts for the monthly change
had ranged from a drop of 2 percent to a gain of 0.5 percent.
Nedbank's economic unit said the August number was distorted by a strike in the automotive sector,
which experienced a fall in production of nearly 20 percent in the month. In motor car manufacturing
specifically production contracted nearly 40 percent.
Economists.co.za chief economist Mike Schussler pointed out that the strike extended into September
so the damage to the sector's output would have continued.
The iron and steel sector also performed poorly, with output falling 7 percent month on month.
Schussler attributed this to the slow construction activity. Credit insurer Coface said yesterday the
construction sector had declined since the third quarter of last year and showed no sign of recovery.
Mercier said most of the subcomponents of the production index fell, with only glass and non-metallic
minerals showing monthly expansion.
Nedbank economist Carmen Altenkirch said the August manufacturing data confirmed the view that
economic growth would slow for the rest of the year and next year. She said, together with a strong
rand, the manufacturing data made one last rate cut possible.
Last month the Reserve Bank cut its repo rate to 6 percent - the lowest level since October 1980
when the bank rate - which preceded the repo rate - was at 5.5 percent.
Schussler expressed concern because manufacturing, which is the second-biggest sector of the
economy, provides most jobs.
A sign that things will get worse came earlier this month with publication of the Kagiso purchasing
managers' index, which reflects conditions in the manufacturing sector.
The index fell last month to 48.4 from 50.3 in August. A figure lower than 50 signals the sector is
contracting.
Mercier said manufacturing represented about 17 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) and he
expected the sector's poor performance to drag down GDP growth from 3.2 percent in the second
quarter to between 2 percent and 2.5 percent in the third quarter.
He described the data as "bond friendly" because financial markets would read into it the possibility of
a further rate cut. When interest rates fall the value of bonds increases.
32

Stark warning on ANC threat to investment
AGNIESZKA FLAK and SHAPI SHACINDA
Published: 2010/10/06 06:52:13 AM
Investment in South African mines could suffer
from continued talk of nationalisation, despite
reassurances from the government that it is
not official policy, an industry leader said
yesterday.
Sipho Nkosi, the president of the Chamber of
Mines, said his members were delighted by
statements by President Jacob Zuma and the
mining minister that nationalisation was not the
policy of the ruling African National Congress
(ANC).
However, the fact that the issue was being
debated was worrying, Mr Nkosi said.
Mr Zuma has been under pressure on the
issue of nationalisation from union allies and
from the ANC Youth League, but no decision
will be taken before 2012, when the ANC holds
its elective conference .
―There is no certainty in terms of the kind of
investments that you can make because you
don‘t know the outcome of the 2012 report,‖ Mr
Nkosi said in an interview.
―That really causes some concern in people‘s
minds….
―We could never be 100% comfortable simply
because ‗noises‘ keep on coming through from
the (political) system,‖ Mr Nkosi said.
The ruling party agreed to explore greater
state control of the mining sector, but made no
shift in economic policy at its national general
council in Durban last month.
Mine nationalisation would place an enormous
financial burden on SA , the world‘s largest
producer of platinum and fourth-largest
producer of gold.
It has been estimated that the cost of such a
move would be at least 280bn , more than
double the annual national budget.
The chamber welcomed the Department of
Mineral Resources‘ decision to put a six-month
moratorium on new prospecting bids in a move
to review its minerals law after damaging
disputes with ArcelorMittal SA and Kumba Iron
Ore over mining rights.
―There is more urgency, more speed, that
seems to be flowing through the department,
and that gives us some comfort that these six
months, even though it seems an interference
in our processes, may result in us getting our
licences much quicker than we were getting
them,‖ Mr Nkosi said.
He also said the industry was unlikely to meet
its target of having a safety record on par with
that of other major mining hubs in the
industrialised world by 2013. ―I think we will
battle to reach that target,‖ he said.
SA has a dire safety record, with 165 miners
killed last year, and fatalities have led to the
temporary closure of mines and reduced
output, which is already declining due to falling
grades.
Deaths caused by falling rocks remain a
concern. SA has the world‘s deepest gold
mines and is prone to earth tremors. Reuters
http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/Cont
ent.aspx?id=122890
33

Werk: SA vaar vrotste
Okt 27 2010 07:40
Pietman Roos
Pretoria. - Die amptelike werkloosheidsyfer het in die derde kwartaal tot 25,3% of 4,4 miljoen
werkloses gestyg, wys Statistieke Suid-Afrika (SSA) se kwartaallikse opname oor die plaaslike
arbeidsmag.
Hoewel dit net effens hoër is as die tweede kwartaal se syfer van 25,2%, is dit veel hoër as die 24,4%
werkloosheid in die derde kwartaal van verlede jaar. Nog 86 000 werkgeleenthede het in die derde
kwartaal verlore gegaan, die meeste daarvan in die finansiële sektor. Die getal ontmoedigde
werksoekers het op ‘n jaargrondslag met 22,9% toegeneem. Mnr. Mike Schüssler, ekonoom van
Economists.co.za., sê buiten ‘n ―oorlogsone soos Irak of Afganistan, het Suid-Afrika die laagste
indiensnemingsvlak van volwassenes ter wêreld‖. Die nuusdiens Bloomberg sê Suid-Afrika se
werkloosheidsyfer is die hoogste van 62 lande waar hy dié syfer meet.
Volgens Schüssler sal Suid-Afrika 7,5 miljoen meer poste moet skep om gelyk te wees met die Afrikagemiddelde
vir indiensnemingsvlakke. Planne deur die regering om 5 miljoen werkgeleenthede oor
die volgende tien jaar te skep, sal beteken Suid-Afrika sal dan stééds onder die Afrika-gemiddelde
wees, sê hy.
Op bedryfsvlak het finansiële dienste die grootste slagting beleef. Dié bedryf het 110 000 poste in die
12 maande tot einde September verloor, gevolg deur vervaardiging waar 58 000 poste verlore
gegaan het. Schüssler sê poste wat in finansiële dienste verlore gegaan het, is nie beperk tot banke
en versekeraars nie, maar sluit ook prokureurs, eiendomsagente en sake-steundienste in. Dié
ondernemings het uiteraard in die ekonomiese afswaai gesukkel.
Daarteenoor het die handelsektor oor die 12 maande tot einde September 44 000 nuwe poste
geskep, ‘n styging van 1,5% op ‘n jaargrondslag. Nedbank se ekonomiese navorsingseenheid sê in
sy kommentaar hoewel ekonomiese toestande geleidelik sal verbeter oor die volgende 12 tot 18
maande, sal werkskepping onder druk bly en effens verbeter in 2011. Die werkloosheidsyfers wys ook
dat sakevertroue onder druk is en maatskappye steeds kyk waar koste besnoei of doeltreffendheid
verhoog kan word, sê Nedbank.
Die styging in die amptelike werkloosheidskoers is net een deel van die prentjie: Meer as ‘n
halfmiljoen mense het in die 12 maande tot einde September hul werk verloor of opgehou werk soek.
Van dié 534 000 werkloses het 155 000 hul werk verloor en 379 000 het so ontmoedig geraak dat hul
nie meer werk soek nie. Dié twee onderafdelings van werkloses word vir statistiese doeleindes
geskei, maar gesamentlik wys die syfers die ware prentjie van werkloosheid in Suid-Afrika. Die
amptelike werkloosheidsvlak het in die derde kwartaal op sowat 4,4 miljoen gestaan, teenoor die
breër definisie van sowat 6,4 miljoen as ontmoedigde werksoekers bygereken word.
Op provinsiale vlak het KwaZulu-Natal die meeste werkverliese oor die 12 maande tot einde
September getoon, naamlik 125 000 poste, gevolg deur die Wes-Kaap met 36 000 en Limpopo met
31 000.
―In party provinsies werk minder as een uit drie van die volwasse bevolking,‖ het Schüssler gesê.
http://www.sake24.com/Algemene_Sakenuus/Werk-SA-vaar-vrotste-20101027
34

Fitch: SA construction sector recovery to lag into 2012
Fitch Ratings-Johannesburg/London
26 October 2010
Fitch Ratings believes that the South African construction sector is only expected to significantly
improve from 2012 onwards, as the recovery continues to lag a sustained recovery in the broader
economy on the back of continued deferral of government infrastructure spending. This delayed
recovery is expected to add pressure to the already thinly-stretched credit profiles of domestic
construction companies in 2011.
Fitch previously expected significant infrastructure spending by the South African government of more
than ZAR800bn over the next three to five years to relieve the revenue pressure for a number of the
larger construction companies in 2011, e.g Aveng Limited ('A(zaf)'/Stable/'F1(zaf)') and Murray and
Roberts Holdings Limited. However, Fitch notes that continued postponement of planned non-
essential government infrastructure spending may add cash-flow pressure across the sector in 2011,
and push out existing order books beyond three years, which would in turn weaken margins and
leverage 2011.
"The slower-than-expected domestic recovery and continued weak demand conditions will place
pressure on the credit profiles of domestic construction companies in the short to medium-term," says
Roelof Steenekamp, Director in Fitch's South African corporates team. "The current adverse situation
is likely to be exacerbated by the relatively long lead times associated with the planning and execution
of large projects and expected deferral of planned government infrastructure, previously expected to
soften the blow on the construction sector."
Statistics South Africa announced on 20 October 2010 that the value of building plans passed by
larger municipalities during January to August 2010 was 7.8% lower than over the same period in
2009, signalling continued pressure across the sector. The biggest reduction was in the non-
residential buildings segment, at 35.8% yoy, whilst residential buildings and alterations recorded small
increases of 6.2% and 2.8% respectively, at current prices.
The larger domestic construction companies are expected to conserve cash in 2011, whilst
competitive tendering may continue to impact operating margins for the less diversified competitors.
Larger companies, with diversified operations across multiple economic sectors and lower leverage
compared with peers, are however expected to retain adequate financial flexibility to take advantage
of potential merger and acquisition opportunities over the medium-term
http://www.moneyweb.co.za/mw/view/mw/en/page295023?oid=512831&sn=2009+Detail&pid=295043
35

Regus survey paints bright picture for jobs
October 26, 2010
By SAMANTHA ENSLIN-PAYNE
Companies in South Africa are more optimistic
about their prospects next year, which could
result in an increase in employment. But as
businesses are still aiming to cut overheads, it
is likely companies will turn to flexible work
practices to keep costs down.
This is according to the Regus Business
Tracker Survey, which found that 45 percent of
companies globally expect to increase their
head count next year, compared with 9
percent that intend to cut their staff, resulting in
a net 36 percent that plan to employ more
people next year. South Africa is right in line
with the global average, with a net 36 percent
of companies planning to employ more people
next year.
The survey is based on interviews with 10 000
businesses around the world. Joanne Bushell,
the vice-president of Regus Africa and Middle
East, said the intention to increase head count
was a clear indicator that businesses wanted
to be prepared for opportunities that
recovering markets "might throw their way".
Job creation is critical as a recent International
Monetary Fund report noted that
unemployment globally has risen by 30 million
to 210 million since 2007. In South Africa,
more than 1.1 million people lost their jobs in
the 18 months to June 2010. Statistics SA data
show that out of a workforce of just over 17
million people, 4.3 million are unemployed.
Despite their intentions to employ, companies
globally are still cautious, with 41 percent of
those surveyed still planning to cut costs,
through other means than shedding staff.
Bushell said: "As companies look to find
economies in their own operations, we are
likely to see more and more organisations
offering flexible working practices to their
existing or prospective employees" in a bid to
run a leaner organisation.
This could include employing more part-time
and freelance workers, says the survey.
Vicki Marais-Swanepoel, the managing
director of recruitment company Professional
Assignments Group, said companies were
openly cautious, but continued filling scarce
skill gaps to ensure business growth and
continuity. "The recruitment outlook remains
conservative."
Brait economist Colen Garrow said: "In the
next year to three years there will be pockets
of job creation, but it won't be spectacular."
In particular the public sector is increasing
jobs, which is positive. But jobs in the private
sector will depend on a consumer recovery,
which is materialising, but off a low base.
Momentum in infrastructure spending is likely
to pick up in the new year, which could lead to
new jobs in construction.
Garrow said manufacturing was likely to
continue to perform dismally, not only because
of the strong rand, but also due to the global
environment.
The overall Regus Business Optimism index
rose by four points to 98 in the last six months
and in South Africa the index rose three points
to 108.
Companies in the US continue to be among
the most pessimistic and confidence in
western Europe is also relatively low. But in
China businesses are increasingly upbeat.
http://www.busrep.co.za/?fArticleId=5701816
36

Jaag belastingontduikers uit hul skadugate
Okt 26 2010 08:51 Amanda Visser
Iets gaan ingee.
Dít is die ernstige waarskuwing van een van die land se bekendste ekonome, mnr. Mike Schüssler,
oor die swaarder wordende belastinglas op ‘n paar skouers.
Die oënskynlike gebrek aan dringendheid om die ―skadu-ekonomie‖ uit sy donker gate te ruk, maak
mense ergerlik.
Die skadu-ekonomie is in wese die informele sektor waar daar ‘n beduidende aantal belastingbetalers
skuil.
Kleintjies én grotes.
Die Suid-Afrikaanse Inkomstediens (SAID) se jaarverslag toon dat sy belastingregister van die 2008-
‘09-belastingjaar tot die 2009-‘10-belastingjaar met 3,54% gegroei het.
Die getal belastingbetalers in Suid-Afrika is nou 9,65 miljoen. Daarvan is 5,9 miljoen individue, 1,8
miljoen maatskappye en net meer as 685 000 BTW-geregistreerdes. Die ander is trusts, invoerders
en uitvoerders en bydraers tot die lopende betaalstelsel.
Die BTW-geregistreerdes het sedert die vorige belastingjaar met meer as 7% gekrimp. Die insinking
in die ekonomie het ‘n klomp maatskappye diep seergemaak.
Die grootste groei in belastingbetalers was onder individue (6,9%) en uitvoerders (7,9%).
Syfers wat onlangs deur Schüssler bekend gemaak is oor die verhouding tussen dié wat belasting
betaal en dié wat afhanklik is van die staat vir ‘n inkomste laat ‘n mens verstom. Volgens sy syfers is
daar meer as 14 miljoen mense afhanklik van die een of ander vorm van ‘n toelaag van die staat.
Daar is net 12,7 miljoen mense wat werk. As ‘n mens kyk na die syfers van die SAID, dan is dit
duidelik dat nie almal van hulle op die belastingregister is nie.
Schüssler het ook verwys na 1,3 miljoen mense wat ongeskiktheidstoelaes ontvang, en bygevoeg dat
7,9% van die bevolking meen dat hulle die een of ander gebrek het.
Toe weet niemand of hulle moet lag of huil nie.
Daar is al baie gesê oor die swaarder belastinglas op ‘n handjie vol mense en maatskappye.
Dié wat in die net is, ervaar toenemend die druk dat hulle daardie verwagte belastinginkomste móét
lewer.
Maatskappywinste krimp, mense verloor hulle werk, nuwe winkels maak oop en maak weer toe. Maar
die druk om te gee, bly hoog.
Die koste om aan die suidpunt van Afrika sake te doen, word nie minder nie en alle aanduidings is
daar dat dit volgende jaar nog duurder gaan word weens onder meer die Verbruikersbeskermingswet.
37

Volgens Schüssler kry die topverdieners (maatskappye en individue) baie aandag van die SAID. Die
hoofrede daarvoor is dat hulle ―maklike teikens‖ is.
―Daar behoort bloot op grond van regverdigheid net so veel aandag aan dié wat ondergronds (buite
die belastingnet) is, gegee te word.‖
Die antwoord is nie om nou op taxistaanplekke of by informele markte of straathoeke waar vervalste
DVD‘s verkoop word toe te slaan nie.
―Ek dink nie gewone polisiëring deur die SAID of die polisie gaan ‘n groot verskil maak nie. Daar moet
nou bietjie meer intelligent te werk gegaan word.‖
Mnr. Stiaan Klue, uitvoerende hoof van die Instituut vir Belastingpraktisyns, sê die sogenaamde
skadu-ekonomie bly ‘n teer sakie.
Hy sê daar is min navorsing en werklike statistieke beskikbaar. Daar is egter maatskappye wat R600
000 se sigarette per maand verkoop en steeds gemaklik onder die radar bly.
Die Belastingadministrasiewet gaan aan die SAID verskeie magte gee om van derdeparty-inligting
gebruik te maak.
Dit beteken dat die SAID na ‘n groothandelaar kan gaan en vra vir ‘n lys van sy top-duisend
aankopers.
Klue hoop dat dit wel gebruik gaan word om dié in skadugate uit te jaag.
Daar moet nie net inligting van die bootklubs gekry word om te sien wie se bote daar anker gooi nie,
sê Klue.
Hy sê as almal hul regmatige deel betaal, al is dit hoe klein, gaan dit die moreel van belastingbetalers
verhoog en die behoefte aan belastingvermyding verlaag.
―Druppende krane maak uiteindelik ook die emmers vol.‖
Schüssler wys daarop dat die ―roofekonomie‖ of die ―skadu-ekonomie‖ op desperaatheid teer.
Daar is ―gruwelmense‖ wat slim genoeg is om die desperates te gebruik. Dit is hulle wat vasgevat
moet word.
Hy sê ‘n mens moet ook kan verstaan waarom veral kleiner maatskappye nie te graag die
belastingoppervlak wil breek nie.
―Wat kry hulle in ruil vir die belasting wat hulle betaal?‖
Baie maatskappye wat onder die radarskerm beweeg se topprioriteit is om te oorleef.
Daar is min aansporing om belasting te betaal en min in ruil daarvoor te kry, sê Schüssler.
Dít is die werklikheid.
http://www.sake24.com/Rubrieke/Jaag-belastingontduikers-uit-hul-skadugate-20101026
38

Unemployment SA’s biggest challenge, says Marcus
DAVE MARRS
Published: 2010/10/20 07:06:52 AM
CAPE TOWN — SA‘s biggest internal
challenge is unemployment, especially the
higher than 50% rate among the youth,
Reserve Bank governor Gill Marcus said
yesterday.
Speaking at a function hosted by Western
Cape investment and trade promotion agency
Wesgro, Ms Marcus said while youth
unemployment had risen worldwide due to the
post-economic crisis recession, in the
developed world ageing populations meant the
pool of labour would be mopped up relatively
quickly once economies started to grow.
However, in SA joblessness was of a structural
nature and not something that could be
resolved by simple interventions such as
changes to monetary policy or measures to
weaken the rand exchange rate.
The relative youth of the population, with
increasing numbers of young people coming
onto the job market each year, would not make
finding solutions any easier, Ms Marcus said.
―There is no doubt that addressing this must
be the national policy priority.‖
Noting that the domestic economic recovery
remains fragile — ―in essence we have
emerged from the recession but not from the
crisis‖ — she said growth forecasts for the
coming few years were ―not high enough to
have a marked effect on unemployment‖.
―It is incorrect to look at the interest rate or the
exchange rate as the silver bullet that will
solve the country‘s growth problems,‖ she
said.
―The exchange rate is just one element in the
story, and excessive focus on the exchange
rate could result in the neglect of other factors
that would constrain growth even with an
appropriately valued (currency).‖
Ms Marcus said the fact that the economy had
shed about a million jobs in the wake of the
economic crisis, proportiona lly more than
most other countries, showed that the labour
market is relatively flexible, contrary to popular
wisdom .
In addressing the structural causes of
unemployment SA needed to ask why it
―prefers capital‖ and why businesses were
―ready to dispense with labour at the drop of a
hat‖.
―However, if we are looking at job creation as a
priority to address unemployment, then current
labour legislation which extends wage
determination to all firms in a particular sector
needs to be examined regarding its effects on
small and medium enterprises,‖ she said.
Ms Marcus said while there was ―no doubt‖
that the rand was over- valued relative to the
country‘s economic fundamentals, there were
no clear-cut or easy ways to address this.
―Nevertheless, the Bank is engaging with the
National Treasury and we are examining the
effectiveness and appropriateness of what
other countries are doing.‖
SA would continue to accumulate reserves,
even though the costs of intervention in the
currency market ―are not insignificant‖, she
said.
The inflow of funds arising from Didata ‘s
acquisition by Japan‘s NTT had been
absorbed by the Bank in the past few days,
she said.
marrsd@bdfm.co.za
http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/Cont
ent.aspx?id=124263
39

Werkskaarste laat talle hul eie onderneming begin
20 Oktober Sake 24
Hennie Duvenhage,
‘n Gebrek aan werkgeleenthede dwing baie Suid-Afrikaners om ‘n klein onderneming te stig.
Die meeste gebruik hul eie geld om aan die gang te kom, maar dié wat kapitaal nodig het, leen geld
by familie en vriende om die nuwe onderneming te begin.
Statistieke Suid-Afrika (SSA) het gister ‘n navorsingsverslag gepubliseer oor klein ondernemings wat
nie vir BTW geregistreer is nie.
Luidens die verslag was daar in 2001 sowat 2,2 miljoen klein ondernemings wat nie vir BTW
geregistreer was nie. Die getal het afgeneem tot 1,1 miljoen in 2009.
Altesame 8,3% van Suid-Afrikaners in die ouderdomsgroep van mense wat normaalweg werk, besit
klein ondernemings. Meer vroue as mans besit klein ondernemings en 90% van die eienaars is swart.
Die meeste van die eienaars is tussen 35 en 44 jaar oud.
In Mpumalanga, Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal en die Oos-Kaap is die eienaars van klein ondernemings
proporsioneel meer as die gemiddelde vir die hele land.
Dié navorsing het aan die lig gebring dat 85% van die eienaars van klein ondernemings wat nie vir
BTW geregistreer is nie, die ondernemings sonder ‘n permit of lisensie bedryf.
Die gewildste sektor vir kleinondernemings is handel, gevolg deur gemeenskaps- en maatskaplike
dienste.
Landbou is die sektor met die minste van hierdie soort ondernemings. Byna twee derdes van die
mense sê hulle het die klein ondernemings begin omdat hulle werkloos was en geen inkomste gehad
het nie.
Werkloosheid as motivering om ‘n klein onderneming te stig, blyk die afgelope tien jaar aan die
toeneem te wees.
Die meeste eienaars van die klein ondernemings bedryf hul ondernemings uit hul huis. Slegs ‘n klein
persentasie gebruik nie-residensiële eiendom om sake te doen.
Meer as 60% van die eienaars het aangedui dat kapitaal nodig was om hul klein ondernemings aan
die gang te kry. Hiervan kon 74% hul eie geld gebruik om hul onderneming staan te maak, terwyl die
40

meeste van diegene wat kapitaal moes leen, dit nie by die banke gekry het nie maar wel by vriende of
familie.
Dié sektor se omset het die afgelope dekade toegeneem van ‘n totale omset van R2,8 miljard per
maand in 2001 tot R3,2 miljard per maand in 2009. Die netto wins het verlede jaar na raming
R1,6 miljard per maand beloop.
Die sektor is nie net daarop gemik om vir die alleen-eienaar van die onderneming ‘n inkomste te
genereer nie. In 2009 het dit ook werkgeleenthede aan 421 000 mense gebied.
Die gebrek aan vaardighede vir die bemarking van hul ondernemings is deur 38,8% van die eienaars
van klein ondernemings gemeld as hul grootste probleem terwyl 32% aangedui het dat hulle graag
beter toegang tot die verkryging van hulpbronne sou wou hê.
http://152.111.1.88/argief/berigte/beeld/2010/10/20/B1/2/hdKleinsake.html
41

Training is solution to productivity problem
Published: 2010/10/19 07:24:31 AM
I am getting disillusioned with covering SA‘s economy from an ivory tower of facts and figures. I have
been told that in many ways things are not so bad — during the second quarter of this year, gross
domestic product, the broadest measure of output, was at a record quarterly high of R657bn. That is,
of course, setting aside the fact that since the start of last year, the economy shed more than 1-million
jobs.
For the fortunate people who still have jobs, disposable income has risen, spurring consumer
spending, the economy‘s engine.
This positive trend stems partly from lower inflation, as well as the reduced cost of debt, which has
fallen to 8% of disposable income from more than 12% a few years ago, thanks to hefty cuts in
interest rates.
To say that it is also because households are ―de-leveraging‖ their debt, however, is a bit suspect.
Household debt dipped to 78% of disposable income in the second quarter of this year, not that far
below a peak of 82% in the first quarter of 2008.
The key driver of growth in disposable income is high wage hikes for the employed. Unions in
transport, electricity, mining, the public service and manufacturing all managed to negotiate doubledigit
settlements during last year‘s recession.
Pay hikes are not so far off those levels this year, as the economy recovers slowly. Both years‘
increases undoubtedly stymied the scope for employment creation, although this is what normally
happens in a recession.
Oh, and it is highly inflationary if labour costs go up without increases in productivity — the cardinal
sin of any economy.
This brings us to a thorny topic. According to one businessman last week, productivity has almost
become a swear word in SA. Loosely defined as output divided by the number of employed, it fell
during the recession and picked up in the early stages of the recovery, rising to 5% in the first quarter
of this year. When output contracted sharply in the second quarter of last year, it grew by just 0,3%,
according to seasonally adjusted and annualised data.
That is quite typical as, in a normal recession, productivity falls, as businesses take time to adjust
their employment levels, while in the early parts of a recovery it goes up quite a bit because business
delays hiring again. That also means people who have kept their jobs are squeezed to keep output as
close as possible to the previous level.
But there are different ways to measure productivity. Analysts say a better one is to divide output by
the total number of hours worked in the economy. And an institution called Productivity SA has a
more elaborate definition, which in its simplest sense boils down to: the efficiency with which inputs of
capital and labour are used.
42

Much has been said about the need to improve low labour ―productivity‖ in SA to boost its global
competitiveness.
But what does this mean exactly? You can‘t tell me that petrol attendants who work 12 hours a day,
six days a week, for R1500 a month are not being ―productive‖. Or that cashiers at grocery stores who
sit for 10 hours a day six days a week are not being ―productive‖ either. No wonder we don‘t get
service with a smile.
Incidentally, these hours are in breach of labour law but nobody complains.
At a petrol station around the corner from where I live, the attendants can almost double their basic
salary in a month, based on an incentive system for how many customers they serve. No wonder they
leap to attention when a car rolls in.
Do all other petrol stations incentivise their employees? I doubt it, given the difference in service. So
where is the motive to work harder?
Nobody should have to work six days a week, 12 hours a day. (Unless they are highly paid
professionals who choose to do so.)
The rule is especially applicable if workers spend hours each day travelling to work.
Much has been made of minimum wages in SA, which, according to consultants Andrew Levy, have
largely risen in line with inflation over the past few years. But many of the people who work hard are
working too long, for too little.
So where does the lack of productivity lie? Few want to admit it, but it is in the public sector, one of
the economy‘s biggest employers. Municipalities get a special mention. Ironically, most of the workers
in the public sector got a 10% pay rise during last year‘s recession and are getting 7,5% this year —
double the inflation rate.
There is no doubt that labour laws in SA should be loosened to give employers more ease in hiring
and firing — this would lead to more job creation.
But it would be a huge mistake to say that the best way to increase the productivity needed to make
SA more competitive would be to make all employees work harder. The real solution to that problem
is to raise their level of skills so that they can produce more efficiently, as Productivity SA says.
The onus is on both the government and the private sector.
Incentives to train people are lacking, as are the basic skills to learn properly.
- Isa is economics editor.
43

Werkers speel speletjies
Okt 19 2010 09:26 Carin Smith
Kaapstad. - Maatskappye wat gedurende die resessie hul kantoorpersoneel verminder het, moenie
bloot aanvaar dat daar groter druk op hul personeel sal wees as bedrywighede nou uitbrei nie.
Navorsing deur KeyScore, ‘n plaaslike verskaffer van sagteware vir prestasiebestuur aan die
korporatiewe en professionele sektor, toon sommige werknemers bestee tot 79% van die werkdag
aan speletjies en ander aktiwiteite op hul rekenaars.
―Ons sagteware word ingestel na gelang van die soort werk wat iemand verrig en dit toon duidelik as
iets nie klop nie,‖ sê mnr. Jan Laubscher, uitvoerende hoof van KeyScore, wat in Rivonia gesetel is.
Nadat ‘n maatskappy met sowat 600 werknemers KeyScore begin gebruik het, is onder meer ontdek
een van die werknemers het die televisiereeks Heroes nie net in werktyd van die internet afgelaai nie,
maar boonop by die werk daarna gekyk.
In ‘n ander geval is gevind ‘n uitgekontrakteerde werker – wat per uur betaal is en sy ure daagliks op
‘n vorm moes aandui – het een Saterdag vroeg by die werk aangekom, 30 minute op die rekenaar
gewerk, toe weggegaan en eers weer laatmiddag 30 minute op die rekenaar kom werk. Tog het hy
die hele dag se ure geëis.
KeyScore het hom betrap.
Internet-speletjies is een van die grootste nie-werkverwante aktiwiteite waarmee werknemers hul
besig hou.
Nadat bestuurders met diegene wat te veel aan‘t spele was, gepraat het, het dié werknemers se
produktiwiteit weer verhoog.
Facebook is volgens Laubscher verreweg die rekenaar-aktiwiteit wat nie werkverwant is nie wat die
meeste tydens werkure besoek word. KeyScore het vasgestel dat sommige werknemers omtrent die
hele dag aan Facebook bestee. Speletjies soos Spider en Solitaire is ander gewilde tydverdrywe in
werktyd.
―Miskien moet bestuurders eers gaan uitvind waar ‘n groeiende werklading geabsorbeer kan word
voordat hulle net goedsmoeds mense begin aanstel,‖ sê Laubscher.
Projekte wat hy in die toekoms wil bekyk, is die verfyning van e-pos-ontleding en hoe werknemers se
telefoongebruik by die stelsel geïnkorporeer kan word. Na raming maak die ontvang en stuur van
grappige e-posse, veral met prentjies, tot 80% van sommige werknemers se daaglikse e-posaktiwiteit
uit.
Laubscher verduidelik kantoorwerkers wat nie onder werkdruk verkeer nie, verwyl dikwels die tyd met
dinge wat nie met hul werk verband hou nie, maar wat dit nietemin laat lyk of hulle hard aan die werk
is.
Hy wys daarop werknemers besef wel ‘n sekere mate van leeglê is te verstane en selfs noodsaaklik
vir optimale werkverrigting gedurende die werkdag – maar binne perke.
http://www.sake24.com/iT-Sake/Werknemers-speel-tot-79-van-die-dag-speletjies-20101019
44

Mining records highest absenteeism rate
Oct 18, 2010 12:52 PM | By Sapa
The absenteeism rate of employees was highest in the mining industry in the last year, followed by
medical and hospital industries and then local government.
This is according to a report released by software company CAM Solutions on Monday.
The statistics for the report were generated from information on the sick certificates of more than
180,000 employees in 60 local businesses, over a period of one year.
"The absenteeism rate of employees in the mining industry is 3.1 percent, in the medical industry it is
2.8 percent and local government employees have an absenteeism rate of 2.7 percent," CEO Johnny
Johnson said.
In the financial services sector, the absenteeism rate was 1.7 percent, "one of the lowest in the
report."
The absenteeism rate was calculated by dividing the number of days employees were absent by the
number of days they should have been at work.
Johnson said absenteeism in the mining industry was most likely high due to the severe conditions in
mines, as well as strict health and safety regulations which applied to mining employees.
"Miners have to take sick leave if they are too sick to work underground, as conditions below ground
can be gruelling."
Sectors such as financial services usually had lower levels of absenteeism because they employed
more skilled workers, who in turn earned more than their blue collar counterparts.
"The usual trend is the lower the salary, the higher the absenteeism rate," Johnson said.
Over the limit
Sick absenteeism should be about 1.5 percent - which meant that for every 250 working days per
year, the average employee should take 3.75 days off sick.
"Most South African companies have an overall absenteeism rate of between 2.0 percent and 6.0
percent -- way over the acceptable limit."
45

Gillian Lumb, a director in the Employment Law Practice Area at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr business law
firm, said that better management of absenteeism by South African employers was critical.
"Employers need to use the provisions of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, which allow for
unpaid sick leave if employees are absent on more than two occasions in an eight-week period (or for
more than two consecutive days) and if they fail to produce a medical certificate."
She said the employer should also interrogate the medical certificates received from employees and if
necessary take disciplinary action where medical certificates were fraudulent.
According to Lumb, a lesser used provision of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act was section
22(6) which enabled an employer to agree with an employee to reduce the pay which the employee
received for sick leave by up to 25 percent.
"In other words the employee is paid 75 percent for sick leave, if the sick leave entitlement is
extended accordingly.
"If an employer makes use of this provision, this can encourage employees not to take as much sick
leave as they will not be paid in full for the sick days taken."
Lumb said every employer should put in place clear, written procedures relating to absenteeism.
"For example, an employer could require employees to call in by a set time prior to their absence,
contact a named person and inform the person of their absence from work, the reason for the
absence and the likely duration of the absence.
"Disciplinary action should be taken against employees who fail to comply with these provisions,"
Lumb said.
There were also those employers who offered attendance bonuses to incentivise employees to attend
work and in this way reduce absenteeism.
Around 43.5 percent of employees never take sick leave, according to the report.
"This percentage could easily be increased if the right systems are put in place," Lumb said.
http://www.timeslive.co.za/business/article713624.ece/Mining-records-highest-absenteeism-
rate
46

New CEOs being appointed at lower guaranteed packages, study
finds
SANCHIA TEMKIN
Published: 2010/10/14 07:08:48 AM
SA‘s newly appointed CEOs are getting lower guaranteed packages than their outgoing counterparts,
according to a report by executive search and reward solutions firm Mabili Reward released
yesterday.
The remuneration of CEOs and nonexecutive directors is in the spotlight in the wake of the global
downturn, with companies taking steps to realign their remuneration and reward policies with
corporate governance principles. The median guaranteed package for new CEOs last year was
R3,65m, compared to a median R4,29m for exiting CEOs.
Laurence Grubb, MD of Mabili Reward, said: ―Last year we observed the resignation of 23 CEOs from
our sample with a further 18 in the current year under review. This brings to 53 the number of CEO
resignations in the past three years from our JSE-listed companies.‖
The country‘s CEOs were leaving companies in the wake of poor financial performance; when queries
were being made about corporate governance ; or to take on challenges elsewhere.
The study was carried out intensively over a year across a broad spectrum of 199 companies,
including eight state-owned enterprises . The 2010 report showed that all CEOs received a median
total package of R5,38m last year , and a guaranteed package of R3,3m.
One of the highest paid CEOs in SA last year was Whitey Basson of Shoprite, with a guaranteed
package of R24,128m — his total cash and benefits , excluding incentive bonus or variable
remuneration amounts.
The highest paid CEO to resign last year was the SABC‘s Dali Mpofu, with R10,723m .
Variable pay in the case of CEOs amounted to 63% of guaranteed package. Mr Grubb said that ―there
has been an increased emphasis on variable pay recently, in response to the volatile market
conditions. Organisations are realising that variable pay provides a meaningful strategy to manage
costs while still rewarding exceptional performance.‖
The median variable pay component for executives amounted to 54% of the guaranteed package.
The report also noted numerous continuing trends. The financial and basic materials industries were
again the highest paid sectors, with the median total package of R8,2m and R6,3m for CEOs. Basic
materials was the highest paid industry with strong growth in variable pay.
In an about-turn from previous years, the IT sector moved from lowest paying for CEOs to the third-
highest , with a median total package of R5,4m.
temkins@bdfm.co.za
http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/Content.aspx?id=123691
47

SA slips six places on gender gap index
I-NET BRIDGE
Published: 2010/10/12 11:28:54 AM
South Africa slipped six positions on the World Economic Forum's Gender Gap Index to twelfth
position from sixth last year, but still remains one of the top 20 gender equal countries in the world.
"In South Africa, high numbers of women in parliament and ministerial level positions, combined with
narrow gaps in education, contribute to South Africa's top 20 position," said Samantha Tomkin, WEF
Associate Director.
The highest scoring African country is Lesotho at number eight.
"Lesotho has a high level of female participation in the labour force and female literacy, with more
girls than boys enrolled in primary and secondary education," said Tomkin.
However levels of healthy life expectancy remain low for both women and men in Lesotho.
The Global Gender Gap Report index assesses 134 countries on how well they divide resources and
opportunities among male and female populations, regardless of the overall levels of these resources.
There are four main focus areas, economic participation and opportunity, education attainment,
political empowerment and health and survival.
"We have found that gaps are closing between women and men's health and education – in fact,
current data show that in the 134 countries covered, 96% of health gaps and 93% of education gaps
have been closed." said co-author Ricardo Hausmann, Director of the Centre for International
Development at Harvard University, USA.
However, Hausmann added that only 60% of economic participation gaps have been closed.
Hausmann says that progress will be made when countries find a way to make marriage and
motherhood compatible with the economic participation of women.
Iceland, Norway, Finland and Sweden – in that order from first to fourth position - continue to
demonstrate the greatest equality between men and women.
The USA entered the top 20 for the first time this year; it climbed twelve places to nineteenth position.
Ireland (6), Switzerland (10), Spain (11), Germany (13) and the United Kingdom (15) are among the
European countries dominating the top 20.
According to the report's index, the level of gender equality in France (46) has sunk with a fall in the
number of women in ministerial positions over the past 12 months.
http://www.businessday.co.za/Articles/Content.aspx?id=123536
48

Dié ‘armes’ van die topverdieners in SA
Okt 12 2010 08:11
‘n Mens hoor dikwels in Suid-Afrika dat die rykes vir gesondheidsversekering moet betaal, of selfs net
meer belas moet word sodat die regering meer geld beskikbaar het om meer dienste aan die armes
te kan lewer.
Tydens die onlangse staking deur staatsdienswerkers was daar plakkate wat gelui het: ―Ons is arm
en gatvol.‖
Die probleem met sulke stellings is dat dit so gereeld geüiter word dat niemand meer die moeite doen
om ‘n slag na te dink oor wat die terme ―ryk‖ en ―arm‖ beteken nie.
Hoewel dié twee terme relatief is, is dit belangrik om dit tog aan die een of ander syfer te koppel as jy
die rykes wil belas en dienste aan die armes wil lewer.
Hoe anders gaan jy weet wie is die sogenaamde rykes sodat ‘n mens hulle kan belas?
Een deel van die bevolking is gewis ryker as die res en die ryker mense, om in dié kategorie te kan
val, moet ‘n inkomste verdien wat meer is as dié van die persoon in die middel.
Ons praat nie hier van die gemiddelde nie, maar van die mediaan. In die geval van die persoon in die
middel verdien 49,999% meer as hy/sy en 49,999% minder as hy/sy.
Net volwassenes kan ‘n inkomste verdien; selfs welsynbetalings vir kinders word aan volwassenes
gedoen. Vir die doel om te bepaal wie ryk en arm is, gaan ons dus net volwassenes gebruik.
Daar woon tans net minder as 32 miljoen volwassenes in Suid-Afrika, van wie net 12,7 miljoen mense
werk het. Dit beteken dat enigiemand wat werk het, reeds aan die ryk kant van die mediaan is.
Ja, dit is reg. Die tuinier wat aan die lewe bly deur los werkies te doen tel volgens die jongste
kwartaallikse arbeidsmagopname onder die rykes, want hy is deel van die 41% van die volwassenes
wat ‘n werk het.
Hulle moet dus belasting betaal om vir die dienste aan die armes te betaal, al is dit baie min, soos sê
20%.
Die vrou wat as ‘n skoonmaker in die plaaslike openbare hospitaal werk, is deel van die formele
sektor wat uit net 9 miljoen mense bestaan. Sy is dus onder die rykste 28% in Suid-Afrika.
Die mense wat in die openbare sektor werk, verdien egter ‘n premie bo dié in die private sektor en dit
geld veral in die laagste poste, waar die premie selfs groter is.
Volgens my berekening tel die vrou wat die hospitaalvloere skoonmaak dus onder die 22% wat die
meeste verdien.
Sy tel dus onder die rykste volwassenes in Suid-Afrika, want daar is minder as 8 miljoen mense (of ‘n
kwart van die volwassenes) wat meer as sy verdien.
Dit is feite gegrond op ‘n ontleding van belastingdata, data oor die loononderhandelings in die
openbare sektor en ‘n hele klomp ander openbare inligting. Sy meen sy is arm omdat dit al jare vir
49

haar vertel word, maar teen ‘n salaris van R5 000 per maand tel sy in Suid-Afrika onder die boonste
deel van die middelklas.
Cosatu is seker geregtig op sy eie mening, maar nie op sy eie feite nie – in Suid-Afrika is die
skoonmaker in die hospitaal ryk.
Vir die Nasionale Gesondheidsversekeringstelsel (NGV) om te werk, moet sy minstens die
gemiddelde belastingkoers in verhouding met die bruto binnelandse produk betaal, wat tans 29% is,
en wat binne ‘n paar jaar tot 34% gaan styg.
Vir ‘n bestaansorgstelsel moet daar nog 4% tot 8% by haar belasting gevoeg word, anders gaan dit
nie regverdig teenoor die werklik armes wees nie.
Die verpleegster in dieselfde openbare hospitaal wat meer as R9 000 per maand verdien, is onder die
rykste 18% in Suid-Afrika en behoort nou 34% belasting te betaal, en as die NGV ten volle in werking
is, sowat 40%.
‘n Senior onderwyser wat R16 000 per maand verdien, is onder die 10% wat die meeste verdien,
want net 3,2 miljoen mense verdien meer as hy/sy.
Die normale definisie vir superryk is diegene wie se inkomste onder die boonste 10% val.
As die plan is dat die NGV en die bestaansorgstelsel deur die superrykes gefinansier moet word,
moet hul belasting teen ongeveer 45% betaal en dit moet tot 50% verhoog word om regverdig teenoor
die armes te wees.
Die werktuigkundige wat R23 000 per maand verdien, val onder die rykste 5% en die rekenmeester
wat R32 000 per maand verdien, is onder die rykste 2,5%.
In die geval van die direkteur wat R57 000 per maand verdien, is daar minder as 1% wat meer as hy
verdien. As die regering en Cosatu dus sê dat die superrykes belas moet word, praat hulle eintlik van
hulself.
Wat die oefening hierbo illustreer, is dat Suid-Afrika nie genoeg werkgeleenthede het nie. Belasting
skep nie werkgeleenthede nie, maar vernietig dit.
Die persoon in die middel van Suid-Afrika se inkomstelandskap maak op maatskaplike hulp staat.
Altesame 14,2 miljoen mense in Suid-Afrika ontvang maatskaplike toelaes wat aan 9,8 miljoen
volwassenes betaal word – en dit is meer as die mense wat werk het.
Enigiemand wat in die formele sektor werk, en selfs die minimum loon verdien, val onder die 28% wat
die meeste verdien. Dit is die feite en enigiemand wat ‘n werk het, is dus eintlik ryk.
Dit is dus nodig om dit vir die stakers te vertel.
http://www.sake24.com/Rubrieke/Die-armes-van-die-topverdieners-in-SA-20101012
50

Adcorp: Employment figures take a knock
Oct 07 2010 11:57 I-Net Bridge
Johannesburg - After registering a 6.8% increase in August - the first increase in five months -
employment in South Africa declined by an annualised 1.2% in September, the latest Adcorp
Employment Index released on Thursday showed.
The deep-rooted problem of jobless growth remains a key stumbling block in South Africa.
Adcorp said the decrease in employment during September was primarily due to the unwinding of
temporary and contractor workers utilised during the countrywide public service strike in August.
There was a sharp fall in temporary and contract employment in September relative to the previous
month as a result of the end of the public sector strike, according to trends shown by the latest Adcorp
Employment Index.
Many of the temporary and contract workers who replaced striking workers during the 20-day
stoppage were suddenly no longer needed, resulting in a 3.7% month-on-month (m/m) fall in
employment by agencies in September. This led to a total decline of 0.5% m/m in atypical (nonpermanent)
employment.
"This demonstrates the ability of the employment-agency market to respond to unexpected demand,
and its ability to provide skilled workers across many industry sectors at a moment's notice," said
Richard Pike, CEO of Adcorp Holdings.
The index, which is regarded as the most representative barometer of employment trends in South
Africa, decreased by 0.14% relative to the previous month.
On the positive side, the index shows that employment increased sharply in the mining sector in
September. It rose by 2.3% relative to the previous month on buoyant conditions in the international
metal and mineral sector.
Employment also increased among high-skilled occupational groups, namely professionals (+1.8%)
and associate professionals (+1.5%).
Employment rose slightly for domestic workers (+1.4%).
Employment by agencies fell at an annual rate of 19.4% during September, which led to a total
decline of 6.4% in atypical (non-permanent) employment. Permanent employment was essentially
unchanged during September, rising just 0.23%.
Employment increased sharply in the mining sector (+27.6%), reflecting buoyant conditions in the
international metals and minerals sectors. However, employment fell in all other sectors, especially
heavy industry where employment declined by 13.9% (utilities), 8.7% (construction) and 6.6%
(manufacturing).
Except for the Free State, where employment rose by 3.2%, employment slipped in all provinces,
most sharply in the Western Cape (-6.2%), reflecting continued weakness in the manufacturing
sector.
http://www.fin24.com/Economy/Adcorp-Employment-figures-take-a-knock-20101007
51

Ál minder studeer in dié rigtings
2010-10-27 22:06
Alet Rademeyer
Dié studentetal het van 273 000 in 1996 tot 215 000 in 2008 afgeneem ondanks ‘n toename in die
studentegetal van 509 000 tot 799 000 by universiteite landwyd.
Dr. John Pampallis, spesiale raadgewer van dr. Blade Nzimande, minister van hoër onderwys en
opleiding, het gister op ‘n simposium in Pretoria gesê dié studierigtings is onder druk en inisiatiewe is
begin om belangstelling daarin aan te wakker.
Hy het gesê die afname in studente in dié rigtings die afgelope twee tot drie dekades in Suid-Afrika en
ander lande hou onder meer verband daarmee dat universiteite toenemend gedwing is om self geld in
te samel.
Geesteswetenskappe soos die kunste, musiek, letterkunde, geskiedenis en filosofie het nie dieselfde
bykomende geld van die private of openbare sektore gelok as ingenieurswese, natuurwetenskappe
en tegnologie nie.
Studente het hoër onderwys ook toenemend as ‘n manier gesien om hulle vir die kapitalistiese
arbeidsmark voor te berei en dit in gedagte gehou by beroepskeuses.
Pampallis het gesê in Suid-Afrika het die einde van die apartheidstyd ook ‘n demper op die vitaliteit
van die intellektuele navorsingsdebat geplaas.
Die geesteswetenskappe is waarskynlik ook negatief geraak deurdat die regering en ander sektore
van die samelewing meer klem op die studie van natuurwetenskappe, tegnologie en finansies gelê
het.
Swart Suid-Afrikaners is dekades toegang tot opleiding in wiskunde en wetenskap ontsê. Talentvolles
moet steeds aangemoedig word om in dié rigtings te studeer gegewe die vaardigheidstekort in die
land, het hy gesê.
Daar is vanselfsprekend gevare as al die talentvolle studente gedwing word om in wetenskap- en
sakerigtings te studeer.
Dit is noodsaaklik om die agteruitgang in sekere dissiplines te stuit, het Pampallis gesê en verwys na
‘n handves met ingrypings wat Nzimande onlangs aangevra het om die status van
geesteswetenskappe aan universiteite te verhoog.
Prof. Ari Sitas van Kaapstad sal die hoof van dié projek wees.
http://www.beeld.com/Suid-Afrika/Nuus/Al-minder-studeer-in-die-rigtings-20101027
52

Sakesektor moet onderwys help
Okt 27 2010 08:29 Francois Williams
Kaapstad. - Uit die 642 000 matrieks wat pas met hul eindeksamen begin het, sal 320 000
waarskynlik druip, en die meeste van hulle sal seuns wees, het prof. Jonathan Jansen, rektor van die
Universiteit van die Vrystaat (UV), gister gesê.
Hy het op ‘n ontbytgeleentheid van die Bellville-sakekamer gesê al daardie kinders was eens in graad
1, en hy is besorg oor die gebrek aan paniek in owerheidskringe oor die krisis in die onderwysstelsel.
Jansen sê die sakesektor kan betrek word by inisiatiewe om onderwysgehalte in skole te verbeter.
Hy het gewys op die voortreflike universiteite wat vroeër elders in Afrika bestaan het, soos die
Makerere-universiteit in Uganda en die Dar es Salaam-universiteit in Tanzanië.
Vandag is daardie universiteite egter in ‘n swak toestand.
Die UV het doelbewus besluit om sy akademiese standaard te lig, en die universiteit het die hoogste
uitvalsyfer onder die 23 universiteite in Suid-Afrika.
Die paradoks is egter hoe hoër jy die toelatingsvereistes stel, hoe meer en hoe beter studente doen
aansoek.
Volgens Jansen het die UV verlede maand 22,3% meer aansoeke ontvang as ‘n jaar gelede, en
heelparty van hulle is van die Paarl en Stellenbosch.
Die UV het klasbywoning verpligtend gemaak en gebruik vingerafdruk-tegnologie om studente se
klasbywoning te monitor. Binne ses maande vandat die tegnologie by die fakulteit regsgeleerdheid
ingestel is, het die slaagsyfer met 42% verbeter.
Die studente was eers kwaad daaroor, maar is nou bly omdat hulle beter presteer.
Volgens Jansen is grootskaalse verandering in die onderwysstelsel tans moeilik, maar op klein skaal
kan verandering teweeg gebring word wanneer met skole in agtergeblewe gemeenskappe gewerk
word waar daar gewillige leierskap is.
Die UV het kontrakte gesluit met 20 Vrystaatse skole waar die slaagsyfer 10% is om met behulp van
die nuutste navorsing die situasie by dié skole te help omkeer.
http://www.sake24.com/Algemene_Sakenuus/Sakesektor-moet-help-om-onderwys-te-verbeter-
20101027?pageNo=1
53

Shortage of artisans ‘playing a key role in poor service delivery’
SANCHIA TEMKIN
Published: 2010/10/19 06:41:15 AM
The critical shortage of artisans in SA is a major reason why many municipalities suffer from poor
service delivery, and are unable to spend their multimillion-rand infrastructure grants, according to
John Botha of the Production Management Institute.
The institute is a private training company in the Adcorp Holdings stable that trains artisans across
several industry sectors.
Mr Botha‘s comments arise in the wake of recent reports that at least R2bn has been left unspent by
local government, with many municipalities across the country plagued by poor infrastructural
maintenance in areas ranging from roads to water treatment.
―The most important reason for the artisan shortage is the lack of suitably qualified candidates with
the necessary entry qualifications in science and mathematics — the foundation of many artisan
trades,‖ Mr Botha said last week . Compounding the problem, Mr Botha said, were other factors such
as the brain-drain, companies scaling down training because Sector Education and Training Authority
learnerships had replaced company apprenticeships, and the fact that at least half of all artisans were
50 years or older .
It is estimated that SA produces only about 5600 qualified artisans a year, compared to a target of
12500 set by the Department of Higher Education and Training. Estimates of SA‘s artisan
requirements vary, ranging from 50000 to 80000.
Records show that in the early 1980s, there were 30000 registered apprenticeships in SA.
However, by 2005, that number had fallen to 1400. In 1985 alone, 13000 artisans qualified in a single
year, said Mr Botha.
Martin Westcott, MD of P-E Corporate Services, said last week that some companies were taking
notice of the skills crisis and had put more effort into the training and apprenticeship of artisans.
From a career perspective, being an artisan was not necessarily the majority of people‘s first choice ,
he said. Another deterrent, Mr Westcott said, was that artisans undergoing apprenticeships earned
very little money, between R4000 and R7000 a month .
Once they were qualified they could earn between R17000 and R18000 per month, he said.
temkins@bdfm.co.za
http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/Content.aspx?id=124141
54

Equip more brains with PhDs - study
SUE BLAINE
Published: 2010/10/12 06:39:28 AM
It is crucial to increase the number of PhD graduates in SA, the Academy of Sciences of SA (ASSAf )
said at the release of a study on the status of the PhD in SA yesterday.
Experts have for several years said that SA needs to grow its ratio of citizens with postgraduate
qualifications — particularly doctoral degrees — to meet its economic needs, and especially to
improve its competitiveness in the growing global ―knowledge economy‖.
National Research Foundation president Albert van Jaarsveld said SA‘s low PhD production is a
―fundamental weakness‖ preventing the country from competing in a global economy that is
increasingly reliant on knowledge production, and there is a lot of government and private sector
support for the foundation‘s goal of increasing the number of PhD graduates produced in SA five- fold
by 2025. This translates to 6000 PhD graduates a year from a base of about 1200 PhD graduates a
year at present.
Since 2007 the foundation, the main public funder of postgraduate education in SA, has focused a
good part of its energy on this goal.
PhD production has increased worldwide over the past 15 years, with China topping the list with an
817% increase over the 13 years from 1991 to 2004 (from 2556 to 23446) and South Korea, near the
top, having increased production from 2984 to 7946 over the same period. But SA is at the low end of
the scale: it produces about 1200 PhD graduates a year.
In the first comprehensive report on PhD training in SA, the ASSAf found the major constraints on
PhD production are the school system, where only 16% of matriculants qualify for university entrance,
few of them with the maths and science marks required for tertiary study in scientific and technical
fields; the structure of SA‘s undergraduate programmes; the low tertiary education graduation rate;
and the ―anachronism‖ of the honours degree, which is a South African oddity.
The ASSAf recommended that SA escalate PhD production through specific programmes, including
sending South Africans to study towards PhDs at universities abroad.
It also suggested greater funding for PhD study in SA, especially to encourage full-time study,
strengthening the school system ―at its foundations‖, and eliminating ―bureaucratic, administrative,
political, legal and structural barriers‖ to doctoral study.
It recommends that PhD quality levels are strengthened, that public support for doctoral study is
advocated, and that institutional capacity is strengthened in institutions that already have capacity. It
suggests doctoral programmes be tailor-made for specific institutions, and that the relationship
between universities and industry are strengthened.
http://www.businessday.co.za/Articles/Content.aspx?id=123466
55

Opleiding word ’n gewilder SEB-alternatief
Sake 24, Okt 29 2010 07:50
Pietman Roos
Johannesburg. - Die onlangse ekonomiese afswaai het die fokus van swart bemagtiging en swart
besit na opleiding en personeel-behoud geskuif wat ―eintlik ‘n verskuilde seëning was‖, sê mnr. Sandile
Hlophe van KPMG.
Hoewel die meeste maatskappye se voldoening aan die verskeie pilare van swart ekonomiese
bemagtiging (SEB) gedurende die resessie verswak het as gevolg van ‘n afname in bevorderings en
aanstellings, is ondernemings gedwing om op goedkoper SEB-alternatiewe soos opleiding te fokus.
―Ons dink dìt is die regte fokus, want om jou eie werkers op te lei, is meer volhoubaar. Boonop is
indiensopleiding die beste manier om personeellede te behou.‖
Hlophe het gister KPMG se jaarlikse SEB-opname vir 2010 in Johannesburg bekend gestel. Altesame
2 000 maatskappye het op ‘n anonieme en vrywillige grondslag aan KPMG se vyfde SEB-opname
deelgeneem.
Volgens Hlophe sal maatskappye normaalweg ervare kandidate van ander ondernemings steel
eerder as om personeellede op te lei.
―In die verlede was daar enorme groei in personeel-agentskappe omdat daar ‘n groot vraag na ervare
swart werkers is, maar ons wil eintlik ‘n toename hê in ondernemings wat opleiding aanbied.‖
Vanjaar se opname het ‘n wesenlike skuif gemaak om meer klein en middelslag-ondernemings in te
sluit.
In verlede jaar se opname is geen klein-sakeonderneming met ‘n jaarlikse omset van minder as R5
miljoen betrek nie, terwyl 18% van die maatskappye in vanjaar se opname in hierdie kategorie val.
Net so het 98% van verlede jaar se maatskappye ‘n omset van meer as R35 miljoen aangeteken, wat
vir vanjaar se opname tot 49% verminder is.
Die besluit om kleiner maatskappye by die opname in te sluit, is geneem om ook hul benadering tot
SEB te toets, sê Hlophe. Een van die resultate is dat uitvoerende hoofde van kleiner maatskappye
meer betrokke is by die toepassing van SEB-maatreëls.
Dit wys ook dat die SEB-gradering van hul verskaffers die meeste ondernemings nie soveel pla nie.
Altesame 54% van ondernemings sal ‘n kennisgewing aan ‘n verskaffer stuur wat vra dat hy binne ‘n
ooreengekome tydperk sy SEB-status sal verbeter eerder as om na ‘n ander verskaffer te skuif.
Hlophe meen dié persentasie dui op ‘n agteruitgang van voldoening aan SEB-vereistes. ―Ek sal nie
verras wees as die departement van handel en nywerheid na strenger optrede teen nie-voldoening
beweeg nie.‖
Vanjaar se opname het ook bykomende inligting oor SEB-sertifisering in samewerking met Iquad, ‘n
SEB-sertifiseringsagentskap, ingesluit.
Volgens die opname neem 48% van SEB-sertifisering tussen een en drie maande en 19% neem
langer as drie maande.
Mnr. Hennie Uys, bestuurder van Iquad, sê ondernemings verwag dikwels dat sertifisering binne ‘n
week afgehandel word sodat hul ‘n tender-afsnydatum kan haal. ―As ‘n onderneming die nodige
inligting bygewerk en beskikbaar het, neem sertifisering korter.‖
56

Wit, bruin en Indiër deur DKD benadeel
2010-10-24 08:14
Llewellyn Prince
Johannesburg - Beamptes in die departement van korrektiewe dienste (DKD) vrees ‘n rasseherrie in
hul geledere weens ‘n beleid wat bepaal dat 79,3% van alle personeellede swart moet wees.
Ervare wit, bruin en Indiër-beamptes moet nou tot die voordeel van soms minder ervare swart
kollegas vir senior poste terugstaan.
Luidens die beleid moet swart beamptes nou 79,3% van die DKD se werkerskorps én nuwe rekrute
landwyd uitmaak, gevolg deur 9,3% wittes, 8% bruines en 2,5% Indiërs.
Rapport se bron, wat uit vrees vir viktimisasie anoniem wil bly, sê Tom Moyane, nasionale DKDkommissaris,
het ‘n maand gelede ‘n brief aan alle provinsiale DKD-hoofde gestuur waarin met streng
optrede gedreig word teen dié wat nie die beleid toepas nie.
Die Wes-Kaap, waar sowat 60% DKD-personeellede bruin is, word die ergste geraak omdat geen
bruin mens in die huidige boekjaar hier aangestel of bevorder kan word nie.
Luidens die inligting in Rapport se besit moet daar in:
- die Wes-Kaap voorkeur op senior en junior vlak aan swart en Indiër-lede gegee word;
- die Oos-Kaap voorkeur gegee word aan swart vroue en Indiërs in senior poste en swart mans, bruin
vroue en Indiërs in junior poste;
- KwaZulu-Natal voorkeur gegee word aan swart lede in senior posisies en swart, wit en Indiërvroue,
sowel as bruin mans, in junior posisies;
- die Vrystaat en Noord-Kaap voorkeur gegee word aan swart beamptes, bruin vroue en Indiërs in
senior poste, en aan swart en Indiër-beamptes in junior poste;
- Noordwes, Limpopo en Mpumalanga voorkeur gegee word aan swart vroue, bruin mans en Indiërs
in senior poste en swart vroue en wit en bruin mans in junior poste; en
- Gauteng voorkeur gegee word aan swart mans, wit en bruin vroue en Indiërs in senior poste, en aan
swart, wit en bruin vroue, sowel as Indiër-mans, in junior poste.
Ontstoke personeellede het Rapport die afgelope week oor dié ―ontstellende‖ beleid genader omdat
baie vrees dit kan hulle hul werk kos of hulle kan herontplooi word.
Manelisi Wolela, nasionale woordvoerder van die DKD, sê die beleid is onlangs hersien en is nodig
om te verseker dat die werkmag van elke regeringsinstelling in Suid-Afrika die demografie van die
nasionale bevolking weerspieël.
Wolela het die stelling met ―minagting‖ verwerp dat die gehalte van dienslewering in gevaar gestel
word om rassekwotas te bereik.
Volgens hom is die Wes-Kaap nie ‘n aparte republiek nie, maar deel van die nasionale departement
van korrektiewe dienste en sal hy net soos ander provinsies behandel word. ―Niemand sal egter hul
werk weens die teikens verloor nie omdat dit baie sensitief en verantwoordelik gehanteer word. Dit
word ook van niemand verwag om te bedank nie.‖
http://www.nuus24.com/Suid-Afrika/Nuus/Wit-bruin-en-Indier-deur-DKD-benadeel-20101024
57

Many companies unaware of employment equity reporting
October 4, 2010
Many companies are still unaware of their
reporting obligations in terms of the
Employment Equity Act.
Business law firm Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr said
in a statement on Monday that the deadline for
manual reporting to the Department of Labour
was October 1. The deadline for electronic
reporting via the Department of Labour's
website was January 15 2011, said Gillian
Lumb, director in the Employment Practice
Group.
"However, employers should not wait until
January to prepare their report as they have a
lot of work to do between now and then."
In terms of the Act, designated employers
have to submit a report to the Department on
their progress in eliminating unfair
discrimination in the workplace and
implementing affirmative action measures to
address the imbalances in the representation
of black people, women and people with
disabilities in the workplace.
According to Lumb, a designated employer
included any employer that employed 50 or
more employees, or who employed less than
50 employees but had a total annual threshold
equal to or above the applicable turnover
which ranged from R2 million to R25 million
depending on the sector into which the
business fell.
Lumb said both large and small companies
were required to submit their reports this year.
Large companies -- those with more than 150
employees -- had to submit their reports every
year. "What many employers don't realise is
that it is not simply a matter of filling in the
report, but also the work that has to happen
before the form is filled in."
Lumb said employers had to compile an
employment equity plan and conduct a
workplace analysis. Employees had to be
consulted on the analysis, the plan and the
report. "The Department of Labour is carrying
out inspections on employers to ensure
compliance with the Act in particular to ensure
that employees are being consulted in the
process and an employment equity plan has
been compiled."
It was not enough to simply fill in the
employment equity report. "The employment
equity plan and consultation process are
paramount to compliance with the Act both of
which take management time and expertise."
Lumb said the employment equity reports
asked for details such as the profile of the
workforce -- gender, race and disabilities of
employees as well as details of recruitment,
promotion and termination, among other
questions.
The report also asked for details on skills
development and employment equity goals
and targets. Barriers to affirmative action and
measures to overcome this, was another
section dealt with in the report.
"Not knowing about the legislation or the
reporting deadline is not an excuse not to
comply. "At this late stage, companies will
have to report electronically as the deadline for
manual reporting has passed."
Lumb said electronic reporting would give
employers a few more months to consult with
employees, conduct a workplace analysis,
compile an employment equity plan and collate
the information needed for the report. "If they
don't report, inspections may be conducted by
the Department, compliance orders issued and
in the event of ongoing non-compliance there
is a likelihood that they will be fined." – Sapa
http://www.busrep.co.za/index.php?fSectio
nId=552&fArticleId=5672914
58

SA needs R11bn more for NHI
October 11, 2010
By SLINDILE KHANYILE
South Africa would need to raise R11 billion
within the next two years in order to deliver the
first phase of the national health insurance
(NHI), Olive Shisana, the chairwoman of the
NHI ministerial advisory committee, said on
Friday.
Shisana said there was an R11bn funding
shortfall of the R128bn that would be required
by 2012, the first year of implementation. "The
rest of the money is already available. We
need an additional R11bn," said Shisana.
The money that Shisana is referring to is the
public health budget. At present, South Africa's
health-care budget is R105bn for the 2010/11
financial year. In the 2009/10 medium-term
budget health-care expenditure was expected
to rise to R115bn by 2012/13 financial year.
Based on these figures, the gap is actually
R13bn.
According to the NHI plan document presented
by the ANC two weeks ago, the cost of
delivering the NHI would rise to R376bn a year
by 2025.
Shisana would not say how much the funding
gap would be in 2025. She said this would
depend on how the economy grew and
inflation at that time.
Shisana said the NHI committee was exploring
different funding models with the Treasury in
order to come up with one that would be
suitable for the country and its dynamics.
The options included a tax surcharge, payroll
tax, increasing value-added tax, co-|payments
and service rationing. She said co-payments
were an unlikely option.
The NHI seeks to introduce universal cover for
every citizen in order to eliminate the current
system that has resulted in two different
models.
Of the 50 million citizens, just over 8 million
people belong to a medical aid scheme, while
the rest rely on the state for health-care
services.
The NHI plan would be centred on primary
health care.
There will be a single-payer system that will
collect the money and pay service providers,
who would be remunerated on capitation.
Patients will be able to choose a service
provider and those people who would want to
top up their NHI cover would be free to also
belong to a private medical aid fund.
Alex van den Heever, a health economist who
has consistently criticised the NHI, said it was
risky to create a fund that would have billions
of rands because of management
inefficiencies in the public health sector.
He said the fund would be vulnerable to fraud
and corruption. Van den Heaver said the entire
proposal was unrealistic.
"We are proposing a complex management
system assuming that it will be at a much
lower cost. It is easy to promise grand things,
but the reality is probably going to be very
different," said Van den Heever.
Shisana countered by saying even the current
private medical aid funds were battling with
fraud and corruption.
She said the NHI would have a risk engineer
that would monitor transactions to pick up
irregularities. The plan is being discussed by
the interministerial committee. The discussion
document would soon move to the cabinet
before being released for public comment.
http://www.busrep.co.za/?fArticleId=568146
1
59

ANC figures on number of doctors for NHI ‘distorted’
TAMAR KAHN
Published: 2010/10/06 06:26:53 AM
The African National Congress (ANC) got its numbers for the proposed national health insurance
(NHI) scheme wrong when estimating how many doctors and nurses work in the public and private
sectors, say leading health economists.
The figures are vital because they will determine how many more staff should be trained locally and
how many should be brought into the country to meet the ambitious goals of the NHI.
The ANC, in its discussion document on the NHI released last month, proposes importing personnel
as a stopgap measure to cope with an expected increase in demand for state-funded services.
It expects that a significant proportion of the 16% of the population who belong to medical aid
schemes in order to obtain private healthcare will drop their cover and rely instead on services
procured by the state.
It takes on average six to seven years to train a doctor, four years to train a nurse and up to 15 years
to train a specialist.
Stellenbosch-based Econex yesterday published a report detailing problems with the ANC‘s
assessment of the numbers of doctors and specialists working in the private sector.
The ANC took the number of doctors and specialists registered by the Health Professions Council of
SA (HPCSA) and simply subtracted from it the number of doctors and specialists recorded on the
government‘s Persal payroll system.
However, this is wrong, said Econex economist Mariné Erasmus. She noted that the HPCSA‘s
records still include doctors who have emigrated or who have given up medicine.
As a result, the ANC inflated the number of doctors working in the private sector, and effectively
distorted the split between the public and private sector, she said.
The ANC‘s document says 40% of SA‘s doctors serve the public sector. But Econex has calculated
that in fact slightly more doctors (15246, or 55%) are employed by the state than work for the private
sector (12186, or 45%).
Econex used Persal data and data supplied by medical aid scheme administrators to calculate these
numbers.
60

―They (the ANC) create the idea that the private sector is adequately staffed or over- staffed, which it
is not if you look at international norms.
―In the private sector there is still a need,‖ said Ms Erasmus, noting that many people who relied on
the state for hospital care used private sector doctors for basic healthcare.
―It‘s not just medical scheme members who use private sector GPs. About 37% of the population use
them,‖ she said.
Independent economist Alex van den Heever agreed with Econex‘s assessment of the number of
doctors working for the state. ―The mistake is to assume that registrations equal the number practising
in SA.‖
He estimated there were 15496 doctors employed by the state at the end of last year.
―There is a similar story on nurses. There are roughly 40000 nurses in the private sector versus
around 120000 in the public sector,‖ he said.
In other words, 75% of the country‘s nurses work for the state. By contrast, the ANC said in its NHI
discussion document that only 60% of SA‘s nurses work in the public sector.
Most of the nurses employed in the private sector work in hospitals, whereas many of those employed
by the state work in clinics.
ANC policy research co- ordinator Tebogo Phadu said the ruling party had used independent experts
to determine the human resources data in its NHI proposals.
―If they (Econex) have new data, obviously we will be happy to look at it,‖ he said, declining to
comment further until he had studied its report.
kahnt@bdfm.co.za
http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/Content.aspx?id=122873
61

Zille bedank dalk in 2012 as DA-leier
2010-10-30 20:50
Jan-Jan Joubert
Me. Helen Zille, Wes-Kaapse premier, oorweeg dit sterk om in 2012 as leier van die DA te bedank
indien dit groter sukses vir die party by die stembus kan verseker.
Zille het gistermiddag by ‘n bosberaad van DA-parlementslede by die Spier-landgoed buite
Stellenbosch gesê navorsing toon dat die DA se steun in die wit, bruin en Indiër-gemeenskappe nie
tans neerslag vind in die swart gemeenskap nie.
Sy het aangebied om by die party se volgende nasionale kongres in 2012 terug te staan indien ‘n
ander leier meer aanklank by swart kiesers kan vind.
Zille het die party se posisie vergelyk met die posisie waarin die Arbeidersparty verkeer het toe mnr.
Tony Blair die klousule uit hul grondwet laat skrap het oor verskeie linkse ideale waarmee Britte hulle
nie kon vereenselwig nie.
Verskeie DA-parlementslede met wie Rapport gesels het, het Zille se onselfsugtigheid in dié verband
geloof, maar uitgewys dat nie-rassigheid die grondslag van die party se leierskeuse moet bly.
Hulle was veral bekommerd dat ‘n persepsie kan ontstaan dat ras bepalend kan wees by die keuse
van toekomstige DA-leiers.
Zille het dit duidelik gemaak dat sy die party volgende jaar steeds met mag en mening sal lei in die
munisipale verkiesing, maar dat sy bekommerd is dat die party ‘n plafon kan bereik as hy nie sy steun
ook laat groei nie.
Interne party-navorsing toon dat swart kiesers wel positief teenoor die DA is, maar dat hulle nie sover
kan kom om vir die party te stem nie.
DA-steun in wit, bruin en Indiër-gemeenskappe is omtrent so hoog as wat dit ooit kan wees
http://www.rapport.co.za/Suid-Afrika/Nuus/Zille-bedank-dalk-in-2012-as-DA-leier-20101030
62

G’n heilige opstandelinge
2010-10-21 23:00
Leopold Scholtz
In die verlede het daar dikwels ‘n (begryplike) misverstand geheers oor ondemokratiese regimes en
dié wat teen hulle veg. Omdat die regimes verkeerd, wreed en meedoënloos was, is half onwillekeurig
gevoel, moet diegene wat teen hulle in opstand kom heilig, foutloos en fantasties wees.
Dis ‘n waarneming wat in dié tyd op ‘n spesiale manier ook vir Suid-Afrika waar is.
Ja, sommige van die opstandelinge kan inderdaad fantasties wees. Maar dan is hulle fantasties
omdat hulle uit eie reg fantasties is, nie soseer omdat hulle teen ‘n slegte regime in opstand kom nie.
In die laat 1960‘s en 1970‘s is die outoritêre bewind van sjah Reza Pahlavi van Iran byvoorbeeld in
linkse kringe in Europa afgeskilder as alles wat boos en sleg is. Nie heeltemal foutiewelik nie, want
die sjah het nie veel vryheid toegelaat of sagsinnig met sy teenstanders omgegaan nie.
Die mees prominente elemente onder diegene wat teen die diktatuur in opstand gekom het, is
deesdae die heersers. Op die allerminste is hulle net so erg soos die sjah; waarskynlik selfs erger.
Die nuustydskrif Der Spiegel het vandeesweek ‘n lang artikel gewy aan die wyse waarop die regime
van pres. Mahmoed Ahmadinedjad onafhanklike joernaliste behandel. Die artikel skop af met die
voorbeeld van Mohammed Ghoetsjani (34), wat voorbereidings tref om die dagblad Ham Mihan weer
te publiseer nadat dit drie jaar gelede verbied is.
Die probleem is dat die regime in Teheran niks van onafhanklike blaaie hou nie. Hulle berig oor
lastige dinge soos dat die regime die vorige algemene verkiesing van verlede jaar deur bedrog
skaamteloos gesteel het en oor teenstanders wat onwettig aangehou en in die tronk mishandel of
gemartel word.
En dus, aldus Der Spiegel, het Ghoetsjani verlede week ‘n ondubbelsinnige waarskuwing van die
geheime polisie gekry: Staak jou planne, of anders ...
Ham Mihan se sonde was dat hy ‘n ondersteuner was van Ahmadinedjad se gematigde voorganger
as staatshoof, Mohammad Chatami.
Soortgelyke prosesse, waar die opstandelinge teen ‘n verkeerde regime erger as die regime geword
het, kom dikwels voor. Zimbabwe byvoorbeeld. China, Viëtnam, Kambodja, Nicaragua, noem maar
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op.
Reeds in die tyd van ballingskap het die ANC en die SAKP in eie kring alle kritiese denke
meedoënloos gestuit deur die betrokkenes óf uit te skop óf in konsentrasiekampe – die berugte
Quatro was slegs een – op te sluit waar hulle gruwelik gemartel is. Gaan kyk na die alliansie se
publikasies uit dié tyd (Sechaba, Dawn, Mayibuye, The African Communist, Umzebenzi, ensovoorts),
en sien self hoe dodelik ideologies eenvormig alles was.
Gelukkig het die ANC pas in 1994 aan die bewind gekom, toe die kommunistiese mat reeds onder sy
voete uitgepluk is.
Ironies het die destydse Nasionale Party en die ANC-alliansie, wat albei uit ‘n fundamenteel
ondemokratiese agtergrond gekom het, mekaar nie vertrou nie en dus hul toevlug geneem tot ‘n baie
goeie liberaal-demokratiese Grondwet met ‘n afdwingbare handves van menseregte.
Baie mense wat so op die NP-onderhandelaars van destyds skel (en toegegee, in bepaalde opsigte
kon hulle beslis beter gevaar het), vergeet dat die Grondwet ‘n uitstekende wapen is wat teen die
ANC se aanslae op mediavryheid gebruik kan word.
Die punt is dat die ANC-alliansie – anders as wat hy self beweer – nié vir mediavryheid en die liberale
demokrasie geveg het nie, maar hom daarby neergelê het as die prys vir sy verowering van die mag.
Intussen het dié prys te groot begin word en nou begin die aanslae kom.
Die ANC-alliansie se opstand teen apartheid, ‘n stelsel wat tot immoraliteit verword het, maak hom nie
heilig soos hy self te kenne gee nie. Inteendeel, sy ware aard skemer nou stadigaan deur.
http://www.beeld.com/Rubrieke/Gasrubriekskrywers/Gn-heilige-opstandelinge-20101021
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Zuma gee die patat aan
2010-10-19 22:38
Henry Jeffreys
Die ANC en die land se voorste redakteurs het dit die afgelope naweek reggekry om die herrie
rondom die regerende party se plan vir die regulering van die media netjies te ontlont. Die gesegde lui
dat as jy jou in ‘n gat bevind, hou op grawe. Dit is wat die ANC die naweek gedoen het.
Adj.pres. Kgalema Motlanthe en sy span het vir die kantlyn geskop en wag nou op die ingooi van die
media-establishment. Daarteenoor het die redakteurs daarin geslaag om die regerende party in die
gesig te kyk en die baie belangrike punt te beklemtoon: Mediavryheid soos wat dit in die Grondwet
verskans word, is ononderhandelbaar.
Dus, geen kompromis oor hierdie allerbelangrike standpunt nie, maar wel ‘n verklaarde
bereidwilligheid om die hand in eie boesem te steek en die probleme wat ons almal weet in die media
bestaan, behoorlik te hanteer.
Motlanthe het in sy kort termyn as president altyd uit sy pad gegaan om ‘n goeie, oop en reguit
verhouding met die media te bou.
Die vergaderings wat redakteurs in daardie dae met hom gehad het, was gestroop van die
onderliggende spanning en agterdog wat soortgelyke ontmoetings met oudpres.
Thabo Mbeki gekenmerk het.
‘n Mens het altyd die indruk gekry dat Motlanthe ernstig was wanneer hy die belangrikheid van ‘n vry
media in ‘n demokrasie beklemtoon het. Met Mbeki was die gevoel (vir my in elk geval) een van: ―Ja,
‘n vry media is nodig, maar op my terme en gegrond op my wêreldbeskouing.‖ En dìt, weet ons, was
by tye onrusbarend.
Juis daarom is Motlanthe se opmerkings ná die naweek se vergadering insiggewend.
Hy moes die ANC verlos van ‘n warm patat en het dit gedoen sonder veel van ‘n verleentheid vir die
regerende party. Die uitkoms van die vergadering is reeds in sommige ANC-geledere bevraagteken,
maar dit was te wagte. Die heethoofde sal altyd met ons wees. As daar ‘n krapperigheid is, selfs ‘n
bekommernis, dan is dit pres. Jacob Zuma se afwesigheid. Wat moet ons daarin lees?
Dit kan dalk net weer een van sy slim (sommige sal sê slinkse) stukkies politieke voetwerk wees.
Soos dinge nou staan, sal Motlanthe die verduidelikings aan die ANC-heethoofde moet gee oor die
verloop van die kwessie. Zuma kan met die gerustheid van ‘n Pontius Pilatus rustig terugsit en sy
hande was van die hele affêre.
Dit bly belangrik dat hy persoonlik met die redakteurs in gesprek tree, al is dit in ‘n kleiner vergadering
met die Suid-Afrikaanse Redakteursforum (Sanef) se topleiers.
Die bal is nietemin nou in die baan van die media. Die naweek se indaba het meer as genoeg ruimte
geskep vir hulle om die saak vir ‘n selfregulerende media nog sterker te stel. Die proses om die
strukture en kapasiteit van die Persraad en die kantoor van die ombudsman te versterk, is goed
onderweg en moet verskerp word.
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Dit is belangrik dat die diskoers nie net volgens die ANC se populistiese en ondeurdagte agenda
gevoer word nie. Die laaste paar weke het bewys dat Suid-Afrikaners nie net sommer sal gaan lê
wanneer dit kom by grondwetlik verskanste vryhede nie.
Die burgerlike samelewing is uit sy slaap geruk. Die roes van apatie is afgeskud en die regerende
party het ‘n duidelike boodskap gekry: Spraak- en mediavryheid is nie politieke voetballe nie. Dit
behoort nie aan enige politieke party of leier nie.
In die dae wat voorlê is dit belangrik dat hierdie momentum verdere stukrag kry met net een doel voor
oë: om die ANC se misplaaste voornemens te begrawe.
Ek was verlede week in Mali vir ‘n vergadering van die Afrika-redakteursforum. Die verwikkelinge in
Suid-Afrika is druk bespreek.
Soos een kollega dit gestel het: ―As Suid-Afrika met hierdie pad afloop, watter hoop het die res van
ons? Dit sal ‘n lisensie wees vir elke despoot om dan maar te maak en breek.‖ Inderdaad
http://www.beeld.com/Rubrieke/HenryJeffreys/Zuma-gee-die-patat-aan-20101019
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‘Cheeky’ SA dra swaar aan dié las
2010-10-14 22:34
André le Roux
Suid-Afrika is pas weer tot nie-permanente lid van die Veiligheidsraad van die Verenigde Nasies (VN)
verkies. André le Roux skryf die land moet daarteen waak om sy omstrede eerste termyn te
herhaal.
‘n Besonder verontrustende vertoning.
Dit is hoe mnr. Zalmay Khalilzad, die Amerikaanse ambassadeur by die VN, Suid-Afrika se optrede in
die Veiligheidsraad bestempel het toe dié land op 11 Julie 2008 gekeer het dat universele sanksies
teen die Mugabe-bewind ingestel word.
Khalilzad het Suid-Afrika trompop daarvan beskuldig dat hy die ―afskuwelike Zimbabwiese bewind
beskerm‖ deur hom, teen die gebruik in, openlik vanuit die voorsitterstoel te beywer vir Rusland en
China se vetostemme teen die Amerikaanse en Britse aandrang op sanksies.
Hy het die destydse regering van pres. Thabo Mbeki herinner aan die deurslaggewende rol wat die
Veiligheidsraad gespeel het in die suksesvolle stryd teen apartheid en die herstel van menseregte in
Suid-Afrika.
Suid-Afrika se eerste termyn, van 1 Januarie 2007 tot 31 Desember 2008, is gekenmerk deur die
manier waarop hy sy posisie gebruik het om VN-optrede teen gemilitariseerde regerings soos dié in
Iran, Noord-Korea en Mianmar in die besonder teen internasionale veroordeling en optrede te
verskans.
Suid-Afrika se skerp veroordeling van die VSA se aanhouding van Islamitiese radikale in
Guantánamo Bay en Israel se aanvalle op Palestyne in Libanon en Gasa het hom ook nie gewild in
die Weste gemaak nie.
Waar Suid-Afrika steeds gesien word as die versinnebeelding van ‘n nuwe en navolgenswaardige
demokrasie tuis, is hy in sy Veiligheidsraad-ampstermyn deur Human Rights Watch veroordeel oot sy
―gebrekkige uitwaartse beskouing‖ deur te probeer keer dat die Veiligheidsraad vergrype elders pak.
Suid-Afrika se destydse ambassadeur by die VN het toe beweer sy land se rol in die Veiligheidsraad
is misken.
―Ons het dinge nie gedoen soos die Britte en die Amerikaners wou hê ons moes nie. En as jy dinge
nie wou doen soos die groottes – Frankryk, die VSA en Brittanje – dit wou hê nie, is jy ‘n cheeky
Afrikaan.
―Wel, ek is baie trots daarop om ‘n cheeky Afrikaan te wees,‖ het mnr. Dumisani Kumalo na berig
word destyds gesê.
Kumalo was Mbeki se man in ‘n tyd toe Mbeki vasbeslote was om deur sy buitelandse beleid seker te
maak hy kom in aanraking met die eersteliga-leiers in die wêreld.
Hy het dit sommer in die VN, die G8 en die G20 grootliks ongevraag tot die groot ergernis van Afrika
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self namens die vasteland gedoen.
Die doel was om ―gedeelde Afrika-standpunte‖ in en aan die Veiligheidsraad voor te hou en te
bevorder, het dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, destydse minister van buitelandse sake, gesê oor Suid-
Afrika se eerste en hoogs omstrede termyn.
Die waarheid is anders.
In die twee jaar van Suid-Afrika se eerste termyn het vier Afrika-state, Kongo (Brazzaville) en Ghana
in 2007 en Libië en Burkina Faso in 2008 saam as nie-permanente lede van die Veiligheidsraad
gedien.
Die kere dat hulle met Suid-Afrika se posisie oor wêreldvraagstukke saamgestem en
dienooreenkomstig gestem het, het nie in alle opsigte ―Afrika-eenheid‖ weerspieël nie.
By verskeie geleenthede, oor Mianmar en oor Zimbabwe in die besonder, het dié lande óf teen Suid-
Afrika gestem óf buite stemming gebly.
Nadat Mbeki in Januarie 2008 by Polokwane in ‘n regime-verandering ontsetel is, moes sy pro-
Zimbabwe buitelandse beleid noodwendig volgehou word. Die skrif was egter aan die muur vir die
wyse waarop Suid-Afrika hom die reg veroorloof het om hoofpromotor van die ―Afrika-agenda‖ te
wees.
In die interim-bewind van pres. Kga- lema Motlanthe het Suid-Afrika hom in die Afrika-Unie (AU)
begin onttrek aan die kollig wat Mbeki opgeëis het.
Suid-Afrika se buitelandse beleid het ‘n winterslaap ingegaan.
Die AU het sedert sy leiersberaad in Januarie 2008 in Addis Abeba begin aandring op ‘n groter Afrikateenwoordigheid
én sê in wêreldforums waar Mbeki, volgens hulle te lank, so oorheersend was.
In Januarie het die AU egter besluit om tog Suid-Afrika se kandidatuur as lid van die Veiligheidsraad
te steun.
Maar dié keer met ‘n volle en verantwoordbare Afrika-mandaat.
Dis op die Julie-leiersberaad in Kampala bekragtig.
In haar verkiesingsveldtog vir Suid-Afrika se kandidatuur het me. Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, die
Zuma-era se minister van internasionale betrekkinge en samewerking, die Afrika-opdrag só in die
Algemene Vergadering van die VN verwoord: ―Suid-Afrika bly verbind tot die konsolidasie van die
Afrika-agenda met die oog op ‘n beter Afrika vir hulle wat daar woon.‖
Die hoofdoelwit van die ―Afrika-agenda‖ is om die VN en veral die Veiligheidsraad te hervorm.
―Die transformasie van die VN kan nie voltrek word sonder die fundamentele hervorming van die
Veiligheidsraad nie. Suid-Afrika glo die doel van dié hervorming moet wees die daarstelling van ‘n
Veiligheidsraad wat werklik verteenwoordigend is van die VN se lidlande.
―Dis ‘n onreg dat Afrika, wat so ‘n groot deel uitmaak van die VN se werk, nie permanente
verteenwoordiging het nie.‖
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Afrika maak nou aanspraak op twee permanente setels en vyf nie-permanente setels. Die AU eis dat
die AU daardie lande self en direk aanwys sonder om onderwerp te word aan VN-verkiesings soos
tans.
Suid-Afrika is met dié doel voor oë Dinsdag sonder teëstem tot die Veiligheidsraad herkies.
Toe ‘n Britse diplomaat voor Dinsdag se verkiesing gevra is of haar (nuwe Konserwatiewe) regering
Suid-Afrika vir ‘n tweede termyn sou steun, was haar antwoord: ―Ons sal dit nie teenstaan nie.‖
Op die vraag of sy bekommerd is dat Suid-Afrika sy ―verontrustende‖ vertoning van 2007-‘08 sal
herhaal, was haar minder diplomatieke antwoord: ―Ek dink Suid-Afrika het baie geleer uit sy vorige
termyn. Daar is immers ook ‘n ander regering aan die bewind.‖
Die Amerikaners (nou onder Obama-bewind) was minder bekkig: ―Ons lewer nie kommentaar op die
kandidature van lande nie,‖ het ‘n diplomaat gesê. In sy stywe antwoord was daar was geen
aanduiding dat die VSA Suid-Afrika vergewe het vir sy optrede in sy eerste termyn nie.
Kort ná Suid-Afrika, Colombia, Duitsland, Portugal en Indië se verkiesing het dr. Susan Rice, Amerika
se VN-ambassadeur, haar agenda van ―fundamentele vraagstukke‖ vir die Veiligheidsraad se
volgende twee jaar uitgestippel: ―Internasionale vrede en sekerheid, kernontwapening ingesluit; die
stryd teen terreur; die voorkoming en oplossing van konflik; die bevordering van demokrasie en
menseregte; en oorsig oor die VN se vredes- en humanitêre sendings in die wêreld.‖
Rice maak geen melding van ‘n ―Afrika-agenda‖ of ―fundamentele hervorming‖ van die VN en sy
Veiligheidsraad nie.
Op Rice se Afrika-agenda is Soedan en Somalië – die twee Afrika-lande wat internasionale vrede die
ergste bedreig. Die volle Amerikaanse agenda vir die Veiligheidsraad is van toepassing op dié twee
mislukte lande. En op haar wêreldagenda is Iran, Israel en die Palestyne, Noord-Korea en die
voortslepende internasionale ekonomiese krisis.
Suid-Afrika, as leidende Afrika-lid van die Veiligheidsraad, is sommer vroeg in Januarie onder die
vergrootglas wanneer Suid-Soedan – indien die El-Basjhir-regering dit toelaat – stem om van die
Noorde af te stig. Pres. Omar el-Basjhir, wat met Veiligheidsraad-sanksie deur die Internasionale
Strafhof van volksmoord aangekla word, het die afgelope week gewaarsku afstigting ―sal oorlog
beteken‖.
Sy ewe omgesukkelde noordelike buurman, kol. Moeammar Ghaddafi van Libië, het in dié week
gewaarsku dat die onderverdeling van Soedan daartoe kan lei dat ‘n ―stortvloed‖ van Afrika-lande
afstigting langs etniese en godsdiensgrense in die gesig staar.
Suid-Afrika gaan swaar dra aan sy Afrika-agenda. En die Zuma-regering se ambassadeur, mnr. Baso
Sangqu, gaan dit moeilik vind om sy cheeky voorganger dit na te doen.
Suid-Afrika se tweede termyn – veral wanneer sy twee maande lange beurte in die voorsitterstoel
aanbreek – sal in erns gemeet word aan die AU se optrede in en teen Soedan, Somalië, die
Demokratiese Republiek van die Kongo en helaas, Zimbabwe.
En ás daar in die twee jaar dan nog tyd vir ‘n hervormingsdebat in die Veiligheidsraad oorbly, daaraan
ook.
http://www.beeld.com/In-Diepte/Nuus/Cheeky-SA-dra-swaar-aan-die-las-20101014
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A new Zimbabwe crisis is threatening SA, like it or not
Allister Sparks
Published: 2010/10/13 06:52:18 AM
While we have been preoccupied once again with our perennial game of political pugilism (―Malema
attacks Zuma‖; ―Zuma hits back at Malema‖), few seem to have noticed that our northern neighbour
has run into yet another crisis, which is likely to affect our worsening unemployment rate and our
urgent need for a higher growth rate.
The new crisis erupted 10 days ago, when Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and his deputy, Arthur
Mutambara, met President Robert Mugabe, who told them he had unilaterally reappointed all 10 of
Zimbabwe‘s serving provincial governors — who happen to represent his own Zanu (PF) party — the
previous day.
In terms of the national constitution and the global political agreement (GPA), which sets out the
conditions under which Zimbabwe‘s unity government is supposed to operate, senior appointments
can be made only after joint agreement of the president and the prime minister.
Tsvangirai said this was the first he had heard of the appointment of the governors. It was, he told a
press conference last Thursday, ―the last straw‖ in a long series of Mugabe‘s violations of the GPA.
He and his Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) had therefore decided to refuse to recognise
these governors, as well as a number of other senior officials Mugabe has appointed unilaterally over
the past 18 months.
Tsvangirai said he regarded these appointments as illegal and unconstitutional.
It is unclear what exactly that will mean in practice. The officials concerned have already been sworn
in by the president and will presumably report to him and continue functioning in their posts. However,
the MDC controls both the Treasury and the public service department, so it is conceivable it could
refuse to pay their salaries.
If so, a major crisis could arise, conceivably leading to a break-up of the unity agreement. Or perhaps
Zanu (PF) could pay the individuals itself: it is suddenly flush with money thanks to the looting of a
rich new alluvial diamond field at Chiyadza, in the Marangi area on the Mozambique border.
The officials Tsvangirai lists as having been illegally appointed are: the governor of the Reserve Bank,
Gideon Gono, appointed unilaterally by Mugabe on November 26 2008; the attorney-general,
Johannes Tomana, appointed on December 17 2008; a new police service commission appointed in
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March this year; five judges appointed on May 20; six ambassadors appointed on July 24; and now
the 10 provincial governors.
Tsvangirai said that as executive prime minister of Zimbabwe, he would be advising the countries to
which the six ambassadors have been posted that their appointments are illegal and therefore null
and void.
This could result in those countries refusing to accept their credentials.
Tsvangirai also said Mugabe had told him at their meeting that he would never swear in the MDC‘s
Roy Bennett as deputy minister of agriculture, as again required in terms of the GPA, which allocated
cabinet posts to the different parties in terms of the negotiated agreement. Mugabe has refused for
more than two years to swear in Bennett, who has faced a number of trumped-up charges brought by
the controversial Tomana only to have the courts throw them out.
Only a few months ago, Mugabe said in an international television interview that he would swear in
Bennett if he was acquitted, but he has not done so.
He said the same to the 15-member Southern African Development Community (Sadc), which is
supposed to guarantee compliance with the GPA but has so far appeared to be a toothless guardian.
―The matter of Roy Bennett has now become a personal vendetta and part of a racist agenda,‖
Tsvangirai said in a statement at the weekend.
On the unilateral appointments, he added: ―These are simply the most obvious and most high-profile
breaches of the constitution and the laws of Zimbabwe.‖
The MDC reckons only 10 of the 27 line items in the GPA have been implemented in the two-and-a-
half years since the agreement was signed. Of the 27 outstanding items, 24 have been the subject of
special agreements between the heads of the signatory parties — but they remain unfulfilled.
At its last summit in Windhoek two months ago, the Sadc countries insisted that the 24 items be
implemented within 30 days. But the deadline has passed and nothing has been done.
Now we have Mugabe‘s latest and most blatant defiance of the regional alliance.
What will Sadc do about it? The organisation‘s international credibility is so diminished that
expectations must be regarded as minimal. It is really up to S A , as the regional superpower and the
country most closely affected by conditions in Zimbabwe, to give the organisation some spine.
Everyone realised when president Thabo Mbeki was in power that he was so in awe of Mugabe‘s
iconic status in Africa that there was no prospect of his getting tough with the arrogant old bully.
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But there were hopes that when President Jacob Zuma took over, S A ‘s stance would stiffen,
particularly in light of Zanu (PF)‘s humiliating treatment of his alliance partner, the Congress of South
African Trade Unions, when that organisation was unceremoniously thrown out of Zimbabwe when it
tried to visit its fellow unionists in October 2004 and again in February 2005.
But no. Zuma‘s congenital indecision on every critical issue confronting S A appears to extend to
Zimbabwe as well. And the Zimbabwe issue is indeed critical to us. Although economic conditions
have improved for a few in the upper echelons of Zimbabwean society, two-thirds of its population are
still living on less than 1 a day. At least 2-million of its people are on the edge of starvation.
Given our own unacceptable unemployment figures, that presents a continuing threat to our social
security.
Reports from Zimbabwe indicate it is facing the worst crop failure in its history, not because of
drought, as Mugabe claims, but because of unproductive farming resulting from his reckless land-
distribution policies.
We already have more than 3-million Zimbabwe refugees here. More, many more, are going to come
— and no amount of regulation or certification is going to stop them. That points to the danger of more
xenophobic and other social unrest.
Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan says we need a sustained 7% growth rate to reduce our
unemployment numbers — indeed to prevent them from getting worse exponentially. A real economic
recovery in Zimbabwe, a proven mining and agricultural jewel of a country, could revive the whole
subcontinent, make Sadc a boom region as Latin America is becoming. S A , as the engine of the
region, could prosper as Brazil is.
But not as long as Zimbabwe continues to be a suppurating sore in our midst.
It doesn‘t require much to sort out the problem. All Zuma needs to do is to tell Mugabe firmly that if he
doesn‘t implement all those outstanding GPA issues right now, and ensure that Zimbabwe holds
genuinely free and fair elections before the end of next year — which Sadc is going to monitor closely
from six months in advance — SA and all other Sadc members won‘t recognise an election that
doesn‘t pass its scrutiny or any government that emerges from it.
That would stop Mugabe in his tracks.
- Sparks is a veteran journalist and political analyst.
http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/Content.aspx?id=123590
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