Morning Brief – Tuesday, 18 October 2022

Good morning. Here are the important stories you need to know today:

Trade union Untu accepts Transnet wage offer, calls off strike

Transnet’s new three-year pay deal with its majority union, Untu, will reduce port congestion as more than half the staff returns to work. The strike, which began its second week on Monday, has crippled railways and ports and harmed critical sectors of the economy, including agriculture and mining, Business Day reports. Mineral exporters are losing over R1bn a day because they can’t load ships with crucial materials.

According to Business Day, Untu, which represents 24,992 Transnet bargaining council members, struck a below-inflation contract with the CCMA on Monday. It offers a 6% rise for the lowest paid worker in year one and medical aid and housing allowance increases. (Business Day, for subscribers)

Load shedding escalates to Stage 4 until further notice

Early on Tuesday morning, Eskom stated that load shedding had progressed to Stage 4. “Stage 4 load shedding was implemented at 05:30 due to breakdowns of five generators at five power stations overnight. The load shedding will be implemented until further notice,” said Eskom’s spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha. (News24)

‘The president listened’: Ramaphosa withdraws new perks for ministers, calls for review

On Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokesman Vincent Magwenya announced the withdrawal of a controversial modification to the ministerial handbook that would have required taxpayers to pay millions extra for ministerial benefits. “He said the president ordered the withdrawal of the Cabinet minute, which effected amendments to the ministerial handbook pending a review.” (News24)