Job loss figures on the rise

WITH South Africa in recession and hoping for some good news, the latest employment figures released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) holds no reprieve.

Data released by Pali Lehohla of Stats SA last week revealed South Africa’s unemployment rate was currently at a 14-year high.

The unemployment rate increased to 27.7% in the first quarter of 2017 from 26.5% in the previous three months.

Decreases in employment were led by trade with 32 000 employees, business services with 23000, community services with 8 000, the manufacturing sector with 4 000 and transport with 1000 employees.

Job losses were reportedly due to end-ofcontracts for workers who were employed during the festive season.

‘Broken heart syndrome’ may have killed Venter

JOURNALIST Suna Venter, one of the SABC 8 fired for challenging former chief operating officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng’s policy of not broadcasting footage of violent protests, was found dead on Thursday.

Venter, 32, was one of seven reinstated this year following a parliamentary ad hoc committee investigation into the affairs of the SABC.

Earlier this year, Venter had to undergo surgery to remove two pellets when she was shot in the face with an air rifle.

Her family said she had been suffering from a cardiac condition known as stress cardiomyopathy, or “broken heart syndrome”, believed to be caused by trauma and prolonged periods of unnatural stress.