by Dev_SACCAWU | Labour Market News
Minister Dean McPherson calls for accountability as probe begins into Johannesburg building collapse that killed nine people.
Johannesburg Emergency Management Services and police conduct search and rescue operations, 3 March 2026, at a building in Ormonde, south of Johannesburg, where a section of the building collapsed, ultimately killing 9 construction workers. The building was under construction, but according to Joburg Mayor Dada Morero the city had not approved the building plans of the structure. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen.
All 12 people who were inside the Johannesburg building that collapsed on Monday have now been accounted for, as public works and infrastructure minister Dean McPherson calls for the owner to come forward.
The City of Johannesburg has transferred control of the site at Amethyst Business Park in Ormonde to the South African Police Service (Saps). The police will conduct an investigation. Once the police have completed their operation, Saps will hand the site over to the Department of Labour.
The tragic building collapse resulted in the loss of nine lives. Three people who sustained injuries during the collapse are currently receiving medical care in the hospital.
MCC confirms the nationality of 12 victims
During an oversight visit, Johannesburg mayor Dada Morero, MMCs, the city manager and senior officials confirmed that all twelve people believed to have been inside the building have been accounted for. They were inside at the time of the collapse.
The city confirmed that victims of the incident include both South African and Lesotho nationals.
“The city is working closely with relevant authorities to ensure that next of kin are identified and formally notified through the appropriate channels,” the mayor said in a statement.
McPherson expressed deep condolences to the families of the nine individuals who died. He also paid tribute to the rescue workers who risked their lives to save those trapped under the rubble.
“No words will ever be able to capture the pain of losing a loved one in such a devastating manner, particularly those who are breadwinners and working every day just to be able to support their families,” the minister said.
The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure has extended full support to the province of Gauteng and the City of Johannesburg.
Minister McPherson urges owner to come forward
McPherson said it is premature to speculate about the cause of the collapse. He stressed that investigators must conduct a thorough probe to establish the facts and hold those responsible accountable.
Monday’s incident was the third building collapse in a few months. The minister said this shows the need to understand the systemic conditions contributing to these tragedies.
“I want to call on the company that constructed this building, or if you order inventory, to come forward and to take accountability for what has gone on here. Or if any member of the public knows where the owner of this company is, to immediately contact the Saps or local law enforcement,” McPherson said.
He said gaps in oversight, compliance, and accountability emerge when systems do not operate in a fully coordinated manner.
The minister emphasised that supporting the affected families remains the priority. He asked the public to allow investigators to do their work without speculation.
The Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour, Jomo Sibiya, joined the city during the visit and conducted an on-site inspection.
Company didn’t submit approved building plans – Labour Dept
Sibiya said the company responsible for the site allegedly did not submit approved building plans. He added that this makes the site illegal and that the validity of the construction permit is still under investigation.
The department will conduct a section 31 investigation to identify the causes and hold responsible parties accountable.
“Ours is to make sure that whatever happened here never happens again. In all these things that we are seeing, we want to clamp down on the level of non-compliance in the country and Johannesburg,” the deputy minister said.
He added that the department will collaborate with the city to improve inspection and enforcement. Sibiya said authorities will take strict action against non-compliant parties, including imposing steep fines and pursuing possible prosecution.
The investigation will guide decisions on whether to prosecute or take other actions.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi extended his condolences to the families of the deceased. He acknowledged the painful moments they are going through. He assured the families that his team had already begun gathering information to provide answers.
Support for families
“I’m just here to welcome the minister, who’s overall in charge so that both national and local governments can synchronise our investigations, gather the necessary evidence, and determine the best way to handle this kind of situation,” Lesufi said.
The premier said preliminary information indicates that officials still need to conduct further groundwork. This is to establish the full details of the incident.
Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa said he expects that an inquiry into the collapse will provide answers to the families of the deceased and survivors. He added that such an inquiry will help prevent a similar tragedy in future.
Source: https://www.citizen.co.za/news/owner-urged-to-come-forward-after-ormonde-building-collapse/
by Dev_SACCAWU | Labour Market News
The Congress of South African Trade Unions-affiliated public service unions , including the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union, South African Democratic Teachers Union, Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa and Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union, will on Monday hold a media briefing in Braamfontein, Johannesburg.
They are expected to voice their anger over the Government Employees Medical Scheme GEMS 9.8 members contribution increase.
COSATU has described the increase as unlawful and unaffordable.
Source: https://www.citizen.co.za/news/labour-secures-pension-and-severance-gains/
by Dev_SACCAWU | Labour Market News
Picture: Gallo Images
Stringent labour law amendments that caused tension between the government and labour have been moderated to please workers – with additional provision that employers who make late pension payments to their pension funds would pay interest.
The department of employment and labour is considering public views before finalising the previous agreements so that the legislation can go to parliament.
Previously, organised labour put pressure on the government and business not to compromise the workers’ gains in the Labour Relations Act and other legislation.
Labour law amendments protect workers
In terms of the labour amendment as agreed by social partners, employers would be required to comply with pension fund payments.
The payment process would be overseen by department’s labour inspectors.
Employers who make late payment of workers’ contributions to the pension fund would be required to pay interest.
This was aimed at addressing concerns that some employers, particularly municipalities and private firms in the security industry, failed to pay over the pension contributions to their funds.
Recently, many workers who went to collect their pension money from funds were shocked to learn they had very little money because their employers had failed to pay over the funds.
National Treasury has also intervened and withheld the local governments’ equitable share from defaulting municipalities.
R182bn allocated from national government
Based on the 2026-27 national budget, municipalities are allocated R182.3 billion in direct transfers from national government.
Some municipalities could lose their share if Treasury implemented the decision.
The enforcement would strengthen the Conditions of Employment Act provisions compelling employers to pay their employees’ pension contributions.
Also, a proposal that the national minimum wage should drop from R20 an hour and the exemption of small and medium enterprises (SMMEs) from several labour laws was dropped.
Also, a suggestion that SMMEs should be excluded from having to pay retrenchment packages if they had been operating for less than two years was challenged by labour.
The most significant achievement for employees is the increase of severance pay for workers losing their jobs, from one to two weeks per year of employment.
Cosatu hails revisions
In cases where employers had defaulted to pay monies due to employees, the Unemployment Insurance Fund would be used to plug the gap so that the affected workers were not left without income.
Trade union federation Cosatu claimed credit for the changes.
Cosatu spokesperson Matthew Parks said the proposals “would have fundamentally set workers’ rights back”.
Source: https://www.citizen.co.za/news/labour-secures-pension-and-severance-gains/
by Dev_SACCAWU | Labour Market News
Cosatu, Eskom, Ferrochrome
Cosatu applauds Eskom’s decision to provide a reduced electricity tariff to ferrochrome producers, potentially leading to job creation and preventing retrenchments. The move is part of a five-year plan.
The Congress of South Africa n Trade Unions ( Cosatu ) has expressed strong approval of Eskom ‘s strategic move to offer a reduced electricity tariff of 62 cents per kilowatt-hour to ferrochrome producers, specifically Samancor Chrome and the Glencore-Merafe Chrome Venture. This decision is a crucial component of a comprehensive five-year assistance plan designed to mitigate the escalating electricity costs faced by these companies.
The overarching goal is to protect these businesses from the economic pressures of high energy prices and, critically, to avert the planned workforce reductions that were imminent. The initiative highlights a collaborative effort to stabilize a vital sector of the South African economy and safeguard the livelihoods of thousands of workers. Cosatu’s parliamentary coordinator, Matthew Parks, highlighted the union’s positive response to Eskom’s intervention and emphasized the importance of the next step in this process: securing the necessary approvals from the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA). Parks indicated that this approval is pivotal, potentially unlocking significant economic benefits, including the reopening of previously suspended smelters. \The anticipated outcome of NERSA’s approval holds considerable promise. Parks estimated that the revival of these smelters could lead to the direct creation of over 11,000 jobs. Furthermore, there is the potential for the generation of over 100,000 indirect jobs. The cascading economic impacts of this decision are substantial, extending beyond the immediate employment landscape to include the stimulation of related industries and the boosting of overall economic activity. Cosatu views this as a progressive intervention that addresses the immediate threat of Section 189 retrenchments, a process that would have resulted in thousands of workers losing their employment. Parks emphasized that the intervention by Eskom is a step that offers tangible relief to the workers at these companies. The action will also support the resuscitation of previously mothballed smelters, thereby reinstating economic activity and potentially reversing some of the negative effects of the economic slowdown. Cosatu specifically applauded the commitment of the concerned parties to seeking solutions and their willingness to facilitate continuous engagement. This cooperative spirit is seen as essential for addressing a long-standing crisis. The union recognizes the importance of the parties’ dedication to finding sustainable and permanent solutions to maintain the sector’s longevity. \This development underscores the complex interplay between government entities, labor unions, and private businesses in navigating economic challenges. The five-year assistance plan represents a strategic approach to stabilizing an industry impacted by volatile energy prices. The collaboration between Eskom, the ferrochrome producers, and Cosatu highlights the value of proactive dialogue and collaborative problem-solving. It demonstrates the ability to identify potential risks to employment and take steps to address them proactively. Parks’ statements clearly articulate the union’s appreciation of Eskom’s initiative and emphasizes the significance of the NERSA approval. The entire process illustrates a shared commitment to creating an economic environment that is both stable and sustainable. The potential for job creation further solidifies this initiative, as it acts to safeguard existing jobs and potentially increase employment opportunities across numerous sectors. The proactive stance taken by the involved parties reflects a broader objective of ensuring the long-term health and growth of South Africa’s economy and the well-being of its workforce. It is important to note the impact of the rising electricity costs to the economy and to the job security of South African citizens. The potential for the reopening of previously mothballed smelters is a win-win situation for both the economy and the citizens.
Source: https://za.headtopics.com/news/cosatu-welcomes-eskom-s-reduced-tariff-hails-potential-job-80379234
by Dev_SACCAWU | Labour Market News
Doors open Saturday, 28 February 2026, at Eastpoint Shopping Centre, Boksburg
- Opening of third Walmart store in Boksburg marks an accelerated store rollout with a further 21 proposed Walmart stores in the pipeline
- Walmart Every Day Low Prices track record in South Africa supported by independently published total basket price comparisons
- Walmart online express delivery extended from 5km to 8km radius of all Walmart stores following positive first-time shopping app user feedback
- Excess of 1.5 tonnes of non-perishable food donation to FoodForward SA to support family food security in Ekurhuleni
Walmart is accelerating its commitment to South Africa with the announcement of its third store opening at East Point Shopping Centre in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni.
Building on the strong momentum from successful launches in Clearwater and Fourways, where customers have enthusiastically embraced Walmart’s Every Day Low Price philosophy, this new location marks the start of an accelerated rollout. With a further 21 stores proposed in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape, Walmart is firmly establishing a broader national presence to deliver affordable, high-quality merchandise to South African consumers.
Every Day Low Prices Customers Can Trust
With Walmart’s Every Day Low Prices, Boksburg customers can confidently shop on their own schedule and trust that they will always get the lowest total cost for the trolley of products they need, at the quality they expect, without having to wait for short-term promotions or worrying about constantly fluctuating prices.
Commenting about Walmart’s Every Day Low Price track record in South Africa, André Steyn, Vice President of Format Acceleration, says, “Since opening our first Walmart store in Clearwater Mall, we have been pleased to see independently published total price comparisons confirming that Walmart has delivered a low-price advantage on a comparable trolley of everyday essentials, including bread, milk, eggs, rice, sunflower oil and sugar.
One Stop in-Store Shopping & Walmart Shopping App Convenience
Customers at the Clearwater and Fourways stores were thrilled with the one-stop convenience of an exceptional product assortment that combines fresh food and groceries alongside a carefully curated range of family and home entertainment items, all available under one roof. Popular customer picks from Walmart Clearwater and Fourways, including affordable roast chicken quarters, delectably marbled sirloin steaks from the butchery, Dr Pepper drinks, Sour Patch Kids and Reese’s chocolate bars will be available in the new store right from day one. Based on customer feedback, we’ve also expanded our product offering with a broader selection of appliances that now includes fridges, vacuum cleaners and water dispensers.
For even greater convenience, shoppers can download the Africa version of the Walmart shopping app to take advantage of the retailer’s 60-minute express delivery service. With 99% of its first-time online customers expressing a firm intention to place repeat orders of fresh food, groceries, adult beverages and small appliances, Walmart has now extended its 60-minute online delivery service from a radius of 5km to 8km from its stores.
Support for Local Community & Small Suppliers
In line with Walmart’s passionate commitment around the globe to local communities, this new store will create 80 jobs and strengthen ties with small local suppliers like Ekurhuleni-based household detergent manufacturer and Walmart Supplier Growth Summit participant, Ultra Chem, who are the supplier of the ECONO brand bleach, dishwashing liquid, pine gel and other cleaning products.
Saving money and supporting communities go hand-in-hand. To celebrate the store opening and make an immediate impact, Walmart will donate over 1.5 tonnes of non-perishable groceries to FoodForward SA to support food security efforts amongst families in the broader Ekurhuleni community within which the store is located. This initiative is consistent with similar efforts associated with the opening of Walmart’s Clearwater and Fourways stores.
Store Opening Details
The Walmart East Point Shopping Centre store will open at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, 28 February 2026, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Store Manager, Hector Msane, a 22-year retail veteran.
The opening day will feature a range of family-friendly activities and treats for customers to enjoy.
Location: Shop L17, East Point Shopping Centre, Corner Rietfontein and North Rand Road, Jansen Park.
Store Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Monday to Saturday, 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. Sundays and Public holidays
Hector and his team look forward to welcoming you with the friendly, efficient service that makes Walmart special.
Source: Walmart
Image: Walmart
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Source: https://www.insightdiy.co.uk/news/walmart-announces-opening-date-for-third-south-african-store/16118.htm
