DPSA looks to end paid disciplinary leave, and no teacher retrenchments in the Western Cape

Here’s what is happening in and affecting South Africa today:

• DPSA looks to end paid disciplinary leave: Public Service and Administration (DPSA) Minister Mzamo Buthelezi said that the department wants to put a stop to civil servants sitting at home on paid leave, sometimes for years, while disciplinary matters against them drag on.  The department says it’s already been redeploying employees who are on precautionary suspension to other divisions or departments. [EWN]

• Western Cape education says no teacher retrenchments: The Western Cape education department has clarified that although 2400 teaching jobs will be lost by the end of the year, no teachers will be retrenched — but contract teachers won’t be reappointed. This was in response to outrage over a possible 2,400 teacher posts being lost due to budget cuts. “The reduction in posts will mean that some contract teachers will not be reappointed after their contracts end on 31 December 2024, and some permanent teachers will be asked to move to another school where there is a suitable vacancy. No teacher will be fired or retrenched,” said Western Cape education MEC David Maynier. [Mail and Guardian]

• Motus sees a drop in profit: Motus Holding has seen its operating profit drop by 4% to R5.5 billion, with its final dividend dropping from 710 cents per share to 520. The automotive retailer’s South African operations were impacted by reduced customer demand, poor inventory availability and port delays. However, it said that this was offset by increased revenue and operating profit from the Group’s canopy business. [SENS] 

• Six extortion and murder suspects killed: Six suspects allegedly involved in extortion and multiple murders were killed in a shootout with police in South Beach, Durban, just before midnight on Monday. The suspects were being pursued for a Sunday night attack on Siyaphambili Road in Tshelimnyama, Mariannhill, where they executed four of five men they had ordered to lie down. [News24]

• Markets: The rand was steady on Monday ahead of the release of second-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) data. On Tuesday (3 September), the rand was trading at R17.88 to the dollar, R23.52 to the pound, and R19.80 to the euro. Oil is trading at $77.24 a barrel. [Reuters]