Staff reporter
Bloemfontein – The State Attorney has pleaded with Public Service Association (PSA) for a settlement to avert Sherrif of the court visiting department of Social Development.
This follows a story we published regarding a Bargaining Council award in favor of Thabo Isaac Mahlaba against the department.
Mahlaba approached the Bargaining Council for unlawful suspension and the commissioner found in his favor, the department was ordered to compensate him on the 25 September 2023.
The CCMA confirmed the Bargaining Council award and ordered Social Development to pay Mahlaba no later than 25 October 2024.
Everything was quiet till we published this story on the 21 January 2025.
Few hours later, the State Attorney wrote to PSA claiming records of arbitration were incomplete and ask for time to reconstruct records.
Another letter was sent on 27 January 2025, informing PSA records have been retrieved and asked for time file answering affidavit.
Yesterday, another letter was sent asking for the matter to be settled and the meeting is scheduled for 14h00, today.
Mahlaba is not the only employee to go this route and win, Advocate Ntlhare also approached Bargaining Council and won.
At Provincial Treasury, Pakiso Lebone who was suspended for Macufe payment also approached the Bargaining Council and won.
The Labour court will in April decide on another matter involving Social Development after Bargaining Council ruled in favor of Dibuo Mabitle but the department decided not to enforced the award and the post in question has now been filled by ANCYL regional secretary.
At what point will accounting officer be personally liable for their decisions?
The Public Service Commission in its ruling versus Masechaba Sesing, former Head of Department at Treasury warned against use of lawyers in personal matters.
Rampai Attorneys we’re used by Treasury to represent Sesing and other employees.
It’s not known at this stage how much Rampai Attorneys pocked from Treasury.
This is a developing story.
If you have news or tips please email news@stepupsanews.co.za or WhatsApp 0685000246
The department seems to been taking any case seriously
I’m also suffering the same fate. I was awarded a retrospective reinstatement by the commissioner under the auspices of the General Public Sector Bargaining council on 26th of April 2021.
The sheriff attempted to execute the award but was halted by the Department of Higher Education and Training when it applied for a stay of execution. I successfully opposed their application.
The court ordered that they have no live review application pending before it, that’s why their application was dismissed with costs. After the issuance of this court order they applied for leave to appeal, which was struck of the roll by the labour court because they failed to apply for condonation, in November last year I applied for the contempt of court against the Minister of higher education and training.
The contempt was heard and was also struck off the roll due to lack of jurisdiction.
After the hearing on 28 January 2025 the state attorney woke up from her deep slumber and remembered that she must apply for condonation for leave to appeal.
Please assist in this regard as I am a vulnerable employee.
It’s obvious that the state attorney is not prepared to bring this matter to an end.