COVID-19

 

• On 22 October, the Compensation Fund gazetted a notice explaining the circumstances in which a claim may be submitted when an employee experiences serious Covid-19 vaccination side-effects. These are only when:
  • an employer makes vaccination ‘an inherent requirement’ of an employment contract, and/or when
  • the results of an occupational health and safety risk assessment conducted by the employer make an employee’s vaccination obligatory.

 

• Speaking on 21 October at the launch of a report on the impact of the Covid-19 relief of social distress grant, Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu:
  • conceded that many vulnerable people have been have ‘denied’ a benefit to which they should have been entitled, and
  • blamed this on means test ‘exclusion errors’.

 

• On 22 October, a ministerial directive on activities at schools during adjusted lockdown level one:
  • confirmed that limited numbers of spectators are now allowed at school sports matches and other extra-mural or co-curricular activities, and
  • spelled out the measures to be taken, in line with the requirements of the amended disaster management regulations.

 

• On 22 October, a ministerial directive on activities at seaports during adjusted lockdown level one:
  • opened them to passenger vessels, including international cruise liners
  • prescribed:
    • the contingency plans required for managing a mid-ocean Covid-19 outbreak, and
    • the on-board measures to be taken should one occur, and
  • designated the seaports of Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth for ‘international embarkation and disembarkation’.

 

• A ministerial directive on air services was gazetted on 22 October to reflect new arrangements applicable to adjusted lockdown level one. The directive:
  • adds Kruger Mpumalanga airport to the list of those open to ‘international scheduled operations and charter flights carrying passengers’
  • allows pre-packed meals to be served during domestic flights, and
  • prescribes the requirements to be met by aviation training and aviation security training organisations.

 

LABOUR

 

• The Compensation Fund has called for public comments on proposals for replacing recently withdrawn regulations on the bank account verification system for occupational injury and disease claim payments.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL

 

• Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Barbara Creecy has announced that an ‘investment plan’ is being prepared for South Africa’s ‘just transition’ from coal to cleaner technology as a primary source of energy.

 

MINING

 

• Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe’s recently released speech at the 7 October mining indaba has drawn attention to an in-principle agreement with mining industry representatives on transformation, following last month’s Gauteng High Court (Pretoria) ruling on the 2018 Mining Charter.

 

POSTAL SERVICES

 

• The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa has confirmed that the amended price cap regulations for reserved postal services will be effective from 1 April 2022.

 

TRADITIONAL AFFAIRS

 

• The Customary Initiation Act’s implementation will be monitored by a national oversight committee officially established on 22 October by notice in the Government Gazette.

 

Prepared by Pam Saxby