News – Cofesa

Crisis management in the spotlight: Lessons from the Cartrack tragedy

FefaTech2026-06-12T12:04:56+02:00

Cartrack’s emergency response and engagement with the bereaved family following the tragic death of an employee have attracted significant public attention, offering valuable insights into crisis management and stakeholder communication during times of tragedy.

The recent death of a Cartrack employee at the company’s Rosebank offices has generated widespread media coverage, public scrutiny, and [more…]

Crisis management in the spotlight: Lessons from the Cartrack tragedyFefaTech2026-06-12T12:04:56+02:00

Fixed Term Contracts in South Africa: What Employers Must Know About Renewals

FefaTech2026-06-08T13:44:42+02:00

Understanding the Basics: What Is a Fixed Term Contract?

A fixed term contract is a written employment agreement that establishes a defined employment period from the outset. Unlike open-ended or permanent employment, it contains a built-in expiry mechanism — either a specific end date, the conclusion of a defined project, or a triggering event such as [more…]

Fixed Term Contracts in South Africa: What Employers Must Know About RenewalsFefaTech2026-06-08T13:44:42+02:00

URGENT WARNING TO EMPLOYERS: Hiring Undocumented Migrants Is Now a Compliance Risk

FefaTech2026-05-27T12:42:13+02:00

South African businesses face heightened legal and reputational risk following a stark warning issued by ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula on 26 May 2026. Speaking after the ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) weekend meeting, Mbalula confirmed that the government will actively pursue and penalise companies found to be employing undocumented migrants. If your business employs foreign [more…]

URGENT WARNING TO EMPLOYERS: Hiring Undocumented Migrants Is Now a Compliance RiskFefaTech2026-05-27T12:42:13+02:00

Can an Employer Dismiss an Employee During Probation?

FefaTech2026-05-20T09:27:28+02:00

Many employers mistakenly believe that employees on probation have fewer rights and can simply be dismissed if they are not performing well. Under South African labour law, this is not the case.

Probation is regulated by the Code of Good Practice: Dismissal contained in Schedule 8 of the Labour Relations Act (LRA). [more…]

Can an Employer Dismiss an Employee During Probation?FefaTech2026-05-20T09:27:28+02:00

New BCEA earnings threshold-Effective 1 May 2026

FefaTech2026-04-30T08:02:42+02:00

From 1 May 2026, the earnings threshold under the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) increases to R269,600.90 per year (or R22,466.74 per month).

For employers, this is more than just an updated figure — it directly determines which employees automatically qualify [more…]

New BCEA earnings threshold-Effective 1 May 2026FefaTech2026-04-30T08:02:42+02:00

Draft Protected Disclosures Bill 2026: What Employers in South Africa Need to Know

FefaTech2026-04-21T11:46:13+02:00

The Draft Protected Disclosures Bill 2026 has recently been published by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development for public comment. The proposed legislation follows recommendations made by the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations [more…]

Draft Protected Disclosures Bill 2026: What Employers in South Africa Need to KnowFefaTech2026-04-21T11:46:13+02:00

Double Jeopardy in the Workplace-Be Cautious of Double Punishment

FefaTech2026-04-20T16:03:01+02:00

Double jeopardy remains one of the more confusing areas of workplace discipline, and many employers are unsure when further disciplinary action is allowed — and when it becomes unfair. Understanding this principle is important, as getting it wrong can result in unfair dismissal claims, reinstatement orders, or costly compensation awards.

What [more…]

Double Jeopardy in the Workplace-Be Cautious of Double PunishmentFefaTech2026-04-20T16:03:01+02:00

New COIDA Amendments in South Africa: What Employers Need to Know

FefaTech2026-04-13T17:47:30+02:00

Recent amendments to the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA) have officially come into effect following a proclamation by President Ramaphosa. These changes introduce important updates that affect employer responsibilities, reporting requirements, and the management of workplace injuries and [more…]

New COIDA Amendments in South Africa: What Employers Need to KnowFefaTech2026-04-13T17:47:30+02:00

Labour Law Amendment Bill 2025: Key Developments Employers Should Anticipate

FefaTech2026-03-17T10:09:11+02:00

The Department of Employment and Labour has published the Labour Law Amendment Bill, 2025 for public comment, proposing significant updates to South Africa’s employment law framework.

The proposed amendments affect several important statutes, including the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA), the Employment Equity Act (EEA), the [more…]

Labour Law Amendment Bill 2025: Key Developments Employers Should AnticipateFefaTech2026-03-17T10:09:11+02:00

Minimum Wage Increase – 1 March 2026

FefaTech2026-02-05T11:43:19+02:00

The national minimum wage (NMW) will increase with effect from 1 March 2026. There will also be an increase of the minimum wage in certain specified sectors.

R30,23 per hour
The minimum wage of R28,79 per hour will increase to R30,23 per hour (an increase of 5%). The new minimum wage sets a new baseline across all [more…]

Minimum Wage Increase – 1 March 2026FefaTech2026-02-05T11:43:19+02:00

Working overtime in South Africa: Legal framework and practical implications

FefaTech2026-01-21T08:42:49+02:00

Introduction

Overtime work, defined as hours worked beyond the ordinary workweek, is a common practice across industries. While necessary to meet deadlines, manage increased workloads, or respond to unforeseen operational demands, overtime raises concerns regarding fair compensation, employee well-being, and work-life balance. In South Africa, the regulation of overtime is primarily governed by the [more…]

Working overtime in South Africa: Legal framework and practical implicationsFefaTech2026-01-21T08:42:49+02:00

Confessing misconduct: How far employers can rely on employee admissions

FefaTech2026-01-09T09:27:12+02:00

Introduction

In South African labour law, the use and legal effect of employee confessions remain complex, particularly because the Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 (LRA) provides no guidance on their admissibility. Consequently, courts and arbitrators have developed common-law principles to determine when a confession may justify disciplinary action or dismissal. This article reviews the [more…]

Confessing misconduct: How far employers can rely on employee admissionsFefaTech2026-01-09T09:27:12+02:00

AARTO and the Workplace: How businesses should prepare

FefaTech2025-10-24T08:37:58+02:00

AARTO and the Workplace: What South African Employers Should Prepare For

The nationwide implementation of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) Act, coming into effect on 1 December 2025, will have a major impact on employers—especially those whose staff drive for work-related purposes.

The AARTO system aims to improve road safety by enforcing stricter compliance [more…]

AARTO and the Workplace: How businesses should prepareFefaTech2025-10-24T08:37:58+02:00

Counselling as part of the disciplinary process

FefaTech2025-10-22T08:44:14+02:00

The purpose of disciplinary codes and procedures is to regulate standards of conduct and the behaviour of employees within a company. The aim of discipline is to correct unacceptable behaviour and adopt a progressive approach in the workplace.

Parties’ obligations

An employer needs to establish that all employees are aware of the rules and standards of [more…]

Counselling as part of the disciplinary processFefaTech2025-10-22T08:44:14+02:00

Incompatibility in the workplace – Those irreconcilable differences

FefaTech2025-10-14T09:10:52+02:00

Couples who get divorced can do so on the basis of ‘irreconcilable differences’ – they know the relationship does not work, but they cannot necessarily specify any one reason. It may not be anyone’s fault, but if the breakdown in the relationship cannot be repaired, it is time for a fitting end. So too in [more…]

Incompatibility in the workplace – Those irreconcilable differencesFefaTech2025-10-14T09:10:52+02:00

Constitutional Court Redefines Parental Leave

FefaTech2025-10-08T10:22:00+02:00

Parents in South Africa will now have four months and ten days of parental leave to share between them, following a groundbreaking Constitutional Court ruling.

The Constitutional Court of South Africa has confirmed a ruling from the Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg that the country’s current labour laws for maternity leave violate the Constitution.

Under the Basic [more…]

Constitutional Court Redefines Parental LeaveFefaTech2025-10-08T10:22:00+02:00

Does the dismissal of an employee affect a restraint of trade?

FefaTech2025-09-29T10:06:38+02:00

In the decision of Backsports (Pty) Ltd v Motlhanke and Another [2025] ZALCJHB 68 (18 February 2025), the Labour Court stated that a restraint of trade could not be enforced by a former employer where the employee was dismissed for misconduct. In other words, a dismissal results in a former employer forfeiting the right to enforce the [more…]

Does the dismissal of an employee affect a restraint of trade?FefaTech2025-09-29T10:06:38+02:00

Gone Without a Word: How Employers Should Handle Unauthorised Absences

FefaTech2025-09-15T09:19:43+02:00

Few workplace disruptions frustrate employers more than an employee who simply does not show up for duty, particularly when the absence is uncommunicated and unauthorised. These situations are not only inconvenient but also raise important questions about the rights and responsibilities of both parties. It becomes essential for employers to understand the legal framework governing [more…]

Gone Without a Word: How Employers Should Handle Unauthorised AbsencesFefaTech2025-09-15T09:19:43+02:00

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