Gatusa o.b.o. Nakedi and Others v Sibukhali Corp CC (JS1060/02) [2003] ZALC 139 (5 February 2003)

60 Reportability

Brief Summary

Labour Law — Unfair Dismissal — Protected strike — Six applicants dismissed for participating in a protected strike — Respondent absent and unable to prove fairness of dismissal — Court finding dismissals both procedurally and substantively unfair — Compensation awarded equal to seven months' remuneration.

Sneller Verbatim/MS
IN THE LABOUR COURT OF SOUTH AFRICA
BRAAMFONTEIN CASE NO: JS1060/02
2003-02-05
In the matter between
GATUSA obo M NAKEDI AND 5 OTHERS Applicant
and
SIBUKHALI CORPS CC Respondent
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J U D G M E N T
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REVELAS, J:
1. Based on the evidence, which was presented in the absence  
of the respondent, I come to the conclusion that the six  
applicants   in   this   matter   have   been   dismissed   for  
participating   in   what   seems   to   be   a   protected   strike.  
The   respondent,   due   to   its   absence,   is   therefore   unable  
to   discharge   the   onus,   that   the   termination   of   the  
services of the six applicants was fair.
2. Accordingly, I find that the dismissals were procedurally  
and substantively unfair.  The dismissals took place on 5

August   2002   and   accordingly   it   is   ordered,   that   the  
applicant pay the six respondents compensation equal to 7  
months   remuneration,   at   the   rate   of   the   remuneration  
applicable to them at the time of their dismissal.
1.
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E. Revelas