Anglo Operations v CCMA (JR1263/01) [2002] ZALC 125 (5 March 2002)

55 Reportability

Brief Summary

Labour Law — Review of arbitration decision — Application for review of CCMA decision granting condonation for late filing of dispute — Court finding that the decision to condone the late referral of 18 months was not properly considered — Review granted, and the decision set aside with instructions for reconsideration by a different arbitrator.

Sneller Verbatim/HVDM
IN THE LABOUR COURT OF SOUTH AFRICA
BRAAMFONTEIN CASE NO: JR1263/01
2002-03-05
In the matter between
ANGLO OPERATIONS Applicant
and
CCMA Respondent
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J U D G M E N T
Delivered on 5 March 2002
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REVELAS J:
1. This is an application for the review of the decision  
of   the  second   respondent,  a   commissioner  appointed   by  
the   first   respondent,   the   Commission   for   Conciliation  
Mediation   and   Arbitration,   in   an   application   for  
condonation   for   the   late   filing   of   dispute   with   the  
first   respondent,  between   the  applicant   and  the   third  
respondent, Mr Barios.

1. 2. On   17   September   2001   the   third   respondent   filed   a  
notice   to   oppose   this   review   application   but  
subsequently never filed any other response.   Today an  
application for the postponement of the matter has been  
brought by a person appearing on behalf of Mr   Barios.
1. 3. I have listened to both parties and submissions made  
by them and in particular my attention was drawn to the  
fact that the third respondent, Mr Barios, feels that  
justice wouldn't be done and all he wanted is for his  
case to be heard.  
4. On the papers that I have read and on the submissions  
made   by   counsel   on   behalf   of   the   applicant,   I   am  
persuaded that the decision to grant condonation of the  
very   late  referral,   that  is     i.e.   18  months,   was  not  
considered   properly   and   in   the   circumstances   that  
ruling should be set aside.
5. I accordingly make the following order:  
1. The   decision   of   the   arbitrator   or   commissioner   dated  
24  July   2001   to   condone   the   late   referral   of   the  
dispute is reviewed and set aside.
2. The   certificate   of   outcome   under   case   number  
GA6000/2001 is set aside.
3. The question of the late referral in terms of sections  
191(1) and 191(2) of the Labour Relations Act is to be  
considered   afresh   by   a   different   arbitrator   or

commissioner.
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E. Revelas