Latest news with #EmploymentEquityAct55
IOL News
12-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Government of National Unity disputes should not find home in courts
Lawyers for the DA were in court last week to challenge the amendments to the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998, introduced by the Employment Equity Amendment Act 4 of 2022. When coalition partners fail to resolve their disputes internally, courts should not be battlegrounds for political differences, argues the writer. Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers GAUTENG High Court Judge President Dustan Mlambo was on to something with the directive that compels mandatory mediation in civil matters before opting to have a judge presiding over the case. Of course the directive has not gone unchallenged by some in the legal fraternity who believe that among other things, such an instruction makes accessing the courts difficult. Judge Mlambo's move is informed by the fact that most of the civil matters that are allocated to a judge get settled on the day they are to be heard, meaning that judges spend hours preparing for a case only for it to be settled. This takes away the time they could have spent reducing the alarming backlog. As of February 2025, the Division's Civil Trial roll has trial dates issued as far ahead as 2031. Now, with the DA and the ANC unable to resolve their Government of National Unity (GNU) disputes, perhaps the courts should start following Judge Mlambo's lead and consider how they will deal with the political bickering that should be settled politically in the first place. The VAT hike court case is a good reference point. A full bench presided over the case only for parties to reach a settlement. When political coalition partners fail to reach consensus on basic issues, courts should not be dragged into the battleground. The establishment of the GNU will mark a year in the coming weeks, yet not a single contentious matter has this coalition government resolved internally without threats of litigation. It then begs the question, how can there be a functioning government when the parties forming the government are more in courtrooms than in communities where citizens long to have basic services delivered? The absence or failure to use whatever internal dispute resolution mechanisms that exist means that our courts effectively run the country. What does this make of the GNU when every decision that is made ends up before the courts? It simply proves what the coalition government critics have maintained; that the idea of the GNU was never intended to advance the country in the first place. Rather it was an attempt to stop an ANC faction from removing President Cyril Ramaphosa over the Phala Phala scandal. Whatever may have been the case, the GNU has not done much to disprove that narrative.
eNCA
05-05-2025
- Business
- eNCA
DA responds to anti-transformation accusations
PRETORIA - The Democratic Alliance has responded to criticism of their recent court case against the Department of Labour. The DA has filed papers at the High Court in Pretoria. It's challenging the constitutionality of the Employment Equity Amendment Act. The act changes introduce sector-specific hiring quotas. ⚖️ Stay informed about the latest updates to the Code of Good Practice on Dismissal and recent Labour Law Amendments. 📌 Swipe through the infographics below for essential facts and updates. #GovZAUpdates South African Government (@GovernmentZA) May 5, 2025 A statement released by the Department of Labour read, "The Minister of Employment and Labour, Ms. Nomakhosazana Meth has noted with dismay, the Democratic Alliance (DA) stance against transformation by challenging the amendments to the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998, introduced by the Employment Equity Amendment Act 4 of 2022. This move is a clear attempt to reverse the progress made since 1994 and maintain the unfair status quo." Challenging the Employment Equity Amendments: The DA's Anti- Transformation Stance #Yazini #ServicedeliveryZA #GovZAUpdates #WorkersMonth — Department of Employment and Labour (@deptoflabour) May 5, 2025 The Department of Labour said, "'unlike rigid mandatory quotas, which must be achieved at all costs, the Amendment Act introduces flexible employment equity targets." "Designated employers can set their annual numerical targets in their employment equity plans, which must comply with sectoral targets. However, employers can justify their failure to meet these targets on reasonable grounds." The DA announced they would be briefing the media on the motivations for their case, saying the party believes in merit. 🎥 Watch live at 13h30: #DApresser — Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) May 5, 2025 DA spokesperson Willie Aucamp said high unemployment and sluggish economic growth is an indicator that progress in the labour sector has not taken place. On International Worker's Day, President Cyril Ramaphosa said, "I would say to them they must go read our Constitution very clearly and very carefully." [WATCH] "I would say to them they must go read.." President Cyril Ramaphosa on GNU partner, DA taking the Minister of Employment and Labour to court over the the Employment Equity Amendment Act. @eNCA — Pule Letshwiti-Jones (@pule_jones) May 1, 2025
