Khulani Springbok Patrols (Pty) Ltd v Levy NO and Another (J2815/99) [2000] ZALC 54 (26 June 2000)

45 Reportability

Brief Summary

Labour Law — Review of arbitration award — Application to review CCMA award under s 158(1)(c) of Labour Relations Act — Employee dismissed for misconduct found not guilty by commissioner but awarded compensation — Employer's application for review dismissed as it amounted to an appeal rather than a review — Award made an order of court.

IN THE LABOUR COURT OF SOUTH AFRICA
HELD AT JOHANNESBURG
CASE NO: J 2815/99
In the matter between:
KHULANI SPRINGBOK PATROLS (PTY) LTD Applicant
and
1st Respondent
(In his capacity of a Commissioner for the
Commission for Conciliation, Mediation
and Arbitration)
2nd Respondent
                                                                                                                  
JUDGMENT
                                                                                                                    LANDMAN 
J
1.Mr B Leduma, a former employee of Khulani Springbok Patrols (Khulani) applies in terms of s 158(1)(c) of the  
Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 to make an award delivered by a commissioner of the CCMA an order of  
court. In turn Khulani applied to review and set aside the award.
2.Mr Leduma was found guilty by a disciplinary inquiry of being under the influence of alcohol while on duty and  
pointing a firearm at a co­worker. He was dismissed. The commissioner heard evidence and argument and  
decided that he was not guilty of the charges but that he did not deserve reinstatement and awarded him six  
month’s compensation.
3.The grounds on which Khulani relies is that the decision of the commissioner “was seriously unreasonable”. It is  
alleged that he did not consider the employer’s version and did not give careful attention when he made the  
award.     The   proceedings   were   not   mechanically   recorded.   The   commissioner’s     notes   have   not   been  
supplied. Khulani did not pursue the matter with the CCMA. I am thus essentially left with the award and  
notes of a disciplinary inquiry. 
4.There are passages in the award which concern me. The commissioner says for instance with reference to the  
charge of pointing a firearm that “I have decide to make no finding and no award in this respect”. He  
complains of there not being adequate evidence and there being insufficient evidence. However, without

having   at   least     his  notes   before   me   I   am   unable   to   determine   whether   his   decision   was  unjustifiable.  
Khulani’s grounds of complaint amount to an appeal and not a review. I am not empowered to hear an  
appeal.
5.In the premises the application to review the decision of the commissioner’s award of 27 May 1999 in case GA  
48039 is dismissed. The award is made an order of court.  
1

SIGNED AND DATED AT JOHANNESBURG ON THIS 26 TH DAY OF JUNE 2000.
                 
Landman J
23 June 2000.
26 June 2000.
Ms. Coetzee of Khulani Springbok Patrols.
Mr Leduma on his own behalf.