Law: Labour and Employment

Geldenhuys and University of Pretoria (2008) 29 ILJ 1772 (CCMA)

Auf Der Heyde v University of Cape Town (2000) 21 ILJ 1758 (LC)

Makoti and Maritzburg FC (2010) 31 ILJ 2791 (ARB)

Chokwe and Pheta Professional Services CC (2010) 31 ILJ 3041 (CCMA)

Murray v Minister of Defence (2008) 29 ILJ 1369 (SCA)

Foschini v CCMA (2008) 29 ILJ 1515 (LC)

Jordaan v CCMA (2010) 31 ILJ 2331 (LAC)

Strategic Liquor Services v Mvumbi (2009) 30 ILJ 1526 (CC)

Moodley and Skill Hunters (Pty) Ltd (2016) 37 ILJ 511 (CCMA)

Lose and SA Post Office SOC Ltd (2016) 37 ILJ 1270 (CCMA)

Klusener and KZN Cricket (Pty) Ltd (2016) 37 ILJ 2916 (CCMA)

Mokoena & others v Member of the Executive Council, Gauteng Department of Health (2016) 37 ILJ 1445 (LC)

Enforce Security Group v Fikile and Others (2017) 38 ILJ 1041 (LAC)

Uber South Africa Technology Services (Pty) Ltd v NUPSAW & others (2018) 39 ILJ 903 (LC)

Assign Services (Pty) Ltd v National Union of Metalworkers of SA & others (Casual Workers Advice Office as Amicus Curiae) (2018) 39 ILJ 1911 (CC)

Elliot International (Pty) Ltd v eloo & another (2015) 36 ILJ 422 (LAC)

CWIU v Algorax (Pty) Ltd (2003) 24 ILJ 1917 (LAC)

Heath v A & N Paneelkloppers (2015)  36 ILJ 1301 (LC)

Numsa v Fry’s Metals (2005) 26 ILJ 689 (SCA)

Ntsabo v Real Security CC (2003) 24 ILJ 2341 (LC)

Potgieter v National Commissioner of SAPS [2009] 2 BLLR 144 (LC)

Pharmaco Distribution (Pty) Ltd v EWN (2017) 38 ILJ 2496 (LAC)

Media 24 v Grobler [2005] 7 BLLR 649 (SCA)

National Union of Metalworkers of SA obo Members v Aveng Trident Steel (A Division of Aveng Africa) (Pty) Ltd & another (2018) 39 ILJ 1625 (LC)

Woolworths v Whitehead (1999) 20 ILJ 2133 (LC) and [2000] 6 BLLR 640 (LAC)

Stojce v University of KZN [2007] 3 BLLR 246 (LC)

Solidarity on behalf of Wehncke v Surf4Cars (Pty) Ltd (2014) 35 ILJ 1982 (LAC)

Scweitzer v Waco Ditributors [1998] 10 BLLR 1050

Rubin Sportswear v SACTWU [2004] 10 BLLR 986

Cash Paymaster Services v Brown [2006] 2 BLLR 131

Bedderson v Sparrow Schools Education Trust [2010] 4 BLLR 363 (LC)

Welch v Kulu Motors Kenilworth (Pty) Ltd & others (2013) 34 ILJ 1804 (LC)

Topic 1: Introduction - Interpreting SA labour law: the Constitutional and international law framework

Prescribed readings:

• NUMSA and Others v Bader Bop (Pty) Ltd and Another 2003 (2) BCLR 182 (CC)  paras 26-46 only
• South African Airways (Pty) Ltd v Aviation Union of South Africa and Others (123/2010) [2011] ZASCA 1 (11 January 2011)

Topic 2: Developments relating to the contract of employment

• Denel (Pty) Ltd v. Gerber 2005 26 ILJ 1256(LAC)
• Nape v INTCS Corporate Solutions (Pty) Ltd (JR 617/07) [2010] ZALC 33; (2010) 31 ILJ 2120 (LC) ; [2010] 8 BLLR 852 (LC) (10 March 2010)
• Boxer Superstores Mthatha & another v Mbenya [2007] 8 BLLR 693 (SCA)
• Buthelezi v Municipal Demarcation Board [2005] 2 BLLR 115 (LAC) & (2004) 25 ILJ 2317 (LAC)
• Enforce Security Group v Fikile and Others (2017) 38 ILJ 1041 (LAC)
• Fedlife Assurance Ltd v Wolfaardt [2001] 12 BLLR 1301 (SCA)
• Klusener and KZN Cricket (Pty) Ltd (2016) 37 ILJ 2916 (CCMA)
• Lose and SA Post Office SOC Ltd (2016) 37 ILJ 1270 (CCMA)
• Mafihla v Govan Mbeki Municipality [2005] 4 BLLR 334 (LC)
• Moodley and Skill Hunters (Pty) Ltd (2016) 37 ILJ 511 (CCMA)
• Murray v Minister of Defence [2006] 8 BLLR 790 (C)

Topic 3: Changing forms of work / Atypical employment

• Denel (Pty) Ltd v. Gerber 2005 26 ILJ 1256(LAC)
• Assign Services (Pty) Ltd v National Union of Metalworkers of SA & others (Casual Workers Advice Office as Amicus Curiae) (2018) 39 ILJ 1911 (CC)
• Building Bargaining Council v Melmon’s Cabinets CC and others [2001] 3 BLLR 329 (LC)
• CHEP South Africa (Pty) Ltd v Shardlow NO and Others [2019] 5 BLLR 450 (LC)
• CMS Support Services v Briggs [1997] 5 BLLR 533 (LAC)
• Discovery Health Limited v CCMA & others (2008) 29 ILJ 1480 (LC)
• General Industries Workers Union of SA on behalf of Mgedezi & others and Swissport SA (Pty) Ltd & another (2019) 40 ILJ 1903 (CCMA)
• ‘Kylie’ v Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration and Others (2008) 29 ILJ 1918 (LC)
• ‘Kylie’ v Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration and Others (2010) 31 ILJ 1600 (LAC)
• Mini & others and Workforce Staffing Group & another (2019) 40 ILJ 1916 (CCMA)
• Mokoena & others v Member of the Executive Council, Gauteng Department of Health (2016) 37 ILJ 1445 (LC)
• Numsa v Assign Services & others (2017) 38 ILJ 1978 (LAC)
• Assign Services (Pty) Limited v. NUMSA and others [2018] 9 BLLR 837 (CC)
• SA Chemical Workers Union on behalf of Skenjana & others and Allied Publishing & another (2019) 40 ILJ 1929 (CCMA)
• Uber South Africa Technology Services (Pty) Ltd v NUPSAW & others (2018) 39 ILJ 903 (LC)
• Pretorius and Anor v. Transport Pension Fund and another CCT95/17) [2018] ZACC 10; [2018] 7 BLLR 633 (CC)
• State Information Technology Agency (Pty) Ltd v Commission for Conciliation, Mediation & Arbitration & others (2008) 29 ILJ 2234 (LAC)
• Phaka & others v. Bracks NO & Ors (2015) 36 ILJ 1541 (LAC)
• Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) & ors v. Buffallo Coal Dundee (Pty) and anor (2016) 37 ILJ 2035 (LAC) at para 26.
• Benjamin, P ‘Decent work and Non-standard Employees: Options for Legislative Reform in South Africa: A Discussion Document’ (2010) 31 ILJ 845
• Hendrickx, F ‘Regulating new ways of working: From the new “wow” to the new “how”’ (2018) 9(2) European Labour Law Journal 197
• Huysamen, E ‘An Overview of Fixed-Term Contracts of Employment as a Form of A-typical Employment in South Africa’ (2019) 22 Potchefstroom Electronic Law Review 1-42
• Mokoena, K ’Are Uber Drivers Employees or Independent Contractors: A Comparative Analysis’ (2018) 39 ILJ 1453
• Fairwork. (2020). Code of Good Practice for The Regulation of Platform Work in South Africa. Cape Town, Western Cape; Oxford, United Kingdom specifically pages 3-13
• Work for a brighter future – Global Commission on the Future of Work International Labour Office – Geneva: ILO, 2019
• Guidelines for a just transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies for all (Geneva) specifically pages 6-13, 15-16

Topic 4: Unfair Labour Practices:  Occupational Detriment in terms of the Protected Disclosure Act

• Radebe & another v. MEC, Free State Province Department of Education [2007] JOL 19112 (O)
• Radebe & another v. Mashoff Premier of Free State Province & others [2009] JOL 23696 (LC)
• City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality v. Engineering Council of South Africa 2010 (2) SA 333 (SCA)
• Radebe & another v. Premier, Free State and others 2012 (5) SA 100 (LAC)
• CWU v. Mobile Telephone Networks (Pty) Ltd [2003] 8 BLLR 741 (LC)
• Pedzinski v Andisa Securities (Pty) Ltd (formerly SCMB Securities (Pty) Ltd) 2006 27 ILJ 362 (LC)
• Tshishonga v Minister of Justice & Constitutional Development 2006 27 ILJ 1541 (LC)
• Tshishonga v Minister of Justice & Constitutional Development 2007 4 BLLR 327 (LC)
• Minister of Justice & Constitutional Development v Tshishonga 2009 30 ILJ 1799 (LAC)
• Chowan v. Associated Motor Holdings (2018) 39 ILJ 1523 (GJ)

Topic 5: Specific topics on termination of the employment contract

• African National Congress v Municipal Manager, George Local Municipality & others [2010] 3 BLLR 221 (SCA)
• Apollo Tyres South Africa (Pty) Ltd v National Union of Metalworkers Union of South Africa (NUMSA) and Others [2012] 6 BLLR 544 (LC)
• April v Workforce Group Holdings (Pty) Ltd t/a The Workforce Group (2005) 26 ILJ 2224 (CCMA)
• Chirwa v Transnet Ltd & others [2008] JOL 21166 (CC)
• City of Cape Town v Freddie & others (2016) 37 ILJ 1364 (LAC)
• IBM SA (Pty) Ltd v Commission for Conciliation, Mediation & Arbitration & others (2016) 37 ILJ 2099 (LC)
• Pretoria Society for the Care of the Retarded v. Loots 1997 6BLLR  721 (LAC) at 24
• Mafika v SA Broadcasting Corporation Ltd [2010] 5 BLLR 542 (LC)
• Mauchie (Pty) Ltd t/a Precision Tools v NUMSA & others (1995) 16 ILJ 349 (LAC)
• SACWU & ors v. Afrox Ltd 1999 10 BLLR 1005 (LAC) AT Para 32
• Nxele v Chief Deputy Commissioner, Corporate Services, Department of Correctional Services & others (2006) 27 ILJ 2127 (LC)
• Nxele v Chief Deputy Commissioner, Corporate Services, Department of Correctional Services & others  [2008] 12 BLLR 1179 (LAC)
• SA Transport & Allied Workers Union on behalf of Langa & others v Zebediela Bricks (Pty) Ltd & another (2011) 32 ILJ 428 (LC)
• CWIU v Algorax (Pty) Ltd (2003) 24 ILJ 1917 (LAC)
• Numsa v Fry’s Metals (2005) 26 ILJ 689 (SCA)
• Pharmaco Distribution (Pty) Ltd v EWN (2017) 38 ILJ 2496 (LAC)
• Heath v A & N Paneelkloppers (2015) ILJ 101 (LC)
• Schweitzer v Waco Distributors (A division of Voltex (Pty) Ltd) [1998] 10 BLLR 1050 (LC)
• Thobejane v Buthelezi Ems (Pty) Ltd and Others (JR1652/15) [2016] ZALCJHB 556 (30 November 2016)
• Wilcox and Nicola Wilcox & Associates Optometrists Inc t/a Classic Eyes (2016) 37 ILJ 2930 (CCMA)

Topic 6: Selected topics in Collective Bargaining

• In re: Certification of the Constitution of the RSA 1996 (10) BCLR 1253 (1996 (4) SA 744) (CC) only paragraphs 63–69
• Mbele & others v Chainpack (Pty) Ltd & others (2016) 37 ILJ 2107 (LC)
• National Union of Metalworkers of SA & others v Transnet SOC Ltd (2016) 37 ILJ 638 (SCA)
• SA National Defence Union v Minister of Defence & others (2006) 27 ILJ 2276 (SCA)
• Verulam Sawmills (Pty) Ltd v AMCU (J1580/15) [2016] ZALCJHB

Topic 7: Discrimination (including harassment) law

• ILO Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190)
• Cupido v GlaxoSmithKlein SA (Pty) Ltd [2005] 6 BLLR 555 (LC)
• Department of Correctional Services and Another v Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) and Others (2013) 34 ILJ 1375 (SCA)
• Dlamini & others v Green Four Security [2006] 11 BLLR 1074 (LC)
• Govender and Umgungundlovu District Municipality (2016) 37 ILJ 724 (CCMA)
• Harksen v Lane NO 1997 (11) BCLR 1489 (CC)
• Henn v SA Technical (Pty) Ltd (2006) 217 ILJ 2617 (LC)
• Larbi-Odam v Member of the Executive Council for Education (North-West Province) 1998 1 SA 745 (CC)
• Leonard Dingler Employee Representative Council v Leonard Dingler (Pty) (1998) 19 ILJ 285(LC)
• Manyetsa v New Kleinfontein Gold Mine (Pty) Ltd (2018) 39 ILJ 415 (LC)
• Minister of Correctional Services v Duma 2017 38 ILJ 2487 (LAC)
• Mutale v Lorcom Twenty Two CC [2009] 3 BLLR 217 (LC)
• Naidoo and Others v Parliament of the Republic of South Africa (2019) 40 ILJ 864 (LC)
• Ndudula v Metrorail 2017 38 ILJ 2565 (LC)
• Ntai v South African Breweries Ltd 2001 2 BLLR 186 (LC)
• Ntsundu and Three Cities Inn on the Square (Pty) Ltd (2016) 37 ILJ 749 (CCMA)
• Pioneeer Foods (Pty) Ltd v Workers Against Regression (WAR) 2016 37 ILJ 2872 (LC)
• SA Municipal Workers Union & another v Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality 2016 37 ILJ 1203 (LC)
• SAPS v Solidarity obo Barnard (2013) 34 ILJ 590 (LAC)
• Sethole & others v Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality [2018] 11 BLLR 74 (LC)
• Shoprite Checkers (Pty) Ltd v Samka 2018 9 BLLR 922 (LC)
• Campbell Scientific Africa (Pty) Ltd v. Simmers & others (2016) 37 ILJ 116 LAC
• Solidarity obo Barnard & Another v SAPS (2010) 31 ILJ 742 (LC)
• Stojce v University of KwaZulu-Natal 2006 27 ILJ 2696 (LC)
• Woolworths (Pty) Ltd v Whitehead [2000] 6 BLLR 640 (LAC)
• Bosch C, ‘Section 187(2)(b) and the Dismissal of Older Workers - Is the LRA nuanced enough?’ (2003) 24 ILJ 1283
• Du Toit, D ‘The Evolution of the Concept of 'Unfair Discrimination' in South African Labour Law’ (2006) 27 ILJ 1311
• Garbers, C & le Roux, P ‘Employment Discrimination Law into the Future’ (2018) 2 Stellenbosch Law Review 237

Topic 8: Dispute resolution

• Golf Fields Mining South Africa (Pty) Ltd (Kloof Gold Mine) v CCMA & Others [2013] ZALAC 28 (LAC)
• MEC, Dept of Finance v Mahumani (Schoon) [2005] 2 BLLR 173 (SCA)
• Netherburn Engineering CC t/a Netherburn Ceramics v Mudau & others [2003] 10 BLLR 1034 (LC)
• Steenkamp ‘W[h]ither the Labour Courts? The Superior Courts Bill and the Future of the Labour Courts’ (2006) 27 ILJ 18
• Waglay ‘The Proposed Re-organisation of the Labour Court and the Labour Appeal Court’ (2003) 24 ILJ 1223

Fair Reason (Substantive Fairness)

Nampak v Khoza [1999] BLLR 108

County Fair v CCMA [1999] 11 BLLR 1117

Toyota v Radebe [2000] 3 BLLR 243

Consani Engineering v CCMA [2004] 10 BLLR 995

Sidumo v Rustenburg Platinum Mines [2007] 12 BLLR 1097

NUM v CCMA (2008) 29 ILJ 378 (LC)

Palaborwa Mining Co v Cheetham (2008) 29 ILJ 306 LAC

National Transport Movement & others v Passenger Rail Agency of SA (2018) 39 ILJ 560 (LAC)

NUMSA v Dunlop Mixing & Technical Services (2018) 39 ILJ 2226 (LAC)

NUMSA v Dunlop Mixing & Technical Services (2019) 40 ILJ 1957 (CC)

Fair Procedure (Procedural Fairness)

BMW v Van der Walt (2000) 21 ILJ 113 (LAC)

Branford v Metrorail (2003) 24 ILJ 2269 (LAC)

Hamata v Chairperson Peninsula Technikon (2002) 23 ILJ 1531 (SCA)

MEC: DEPT of Finance, Northern Province v Mahumani (2004) 25 ILJ 2311 (SCA)

Avril Elizabeth Home v CCMA (2006) 27 ILJ 1644 (LC)

Semenya v CCMA (2006) 27 ILJ 1627 (LAC)

• Tanker Services v Magudulela [1997] 12 BLLR 1552 (LAC)
• Palaborwa Mining Co Ltd v Cheetham (2008) 29 ILJ 306 (LAC)
• Campbell Scientific Africa (Pty) Ltd v Simmers & Others (2016) 37 ILJ 116 (LAC)
• National Union of Metalworkers of SA on behalf of Khanyile & others v Dunlop Mixing & Technical Services (Pty) Ltd & others (2018) 39 ILJ 2226 (LAC)
• Rustenburg Platinum Mine v SA Equity Workers Association on behalf of Bester & others (2018) 39 ILJ 1503 (CC) 
• Armitage Shanks v Mnisi (1995) 16 ILJ 16 (LAC)
• A Mauchle (Pty) Ltd t/a Precision Tools v NUMSA (1995) 16 ILJ 349 (LAC)
• NCAWU obo Van Niekerk and Moolman (2010) 31 ILJ 241 (CCMA)
• Mondi Paper Co v Dlamini [1996] 9 BLLLR 1109 (LAC)

Poor Work Performance

• Joslin v Olivetti Systems (1993) 14 ILJ 227 (IC)
• Somyo v Ross Poultry Breeders [1997] 7 BLLR 862 (LAC)
• Unilong Freight Distributors v Muller (1998) 19 ILJ 229 (SCA)
• Eskom v Mokoena [1997] 8 BLLR 965 (LAC)
• Buthelezi v ABI [1999] 9 BLLR 907 (LC)
• JDG Trading v Brunsdon [2000] 1 BLLR 1 (LAC)
• SABC v CCMA (2006) 27 ILJ 1519 (LC)
• National Union of Mineworkers & another v Samancor Ltd (Tubatse Ferrochrome) & others (2011) 32 ILJ 1618 (SCA)

Ill-Health & Injury

• Oranjevis (Pty) Ltd v CCMA [2004] JOL 13134 (LC)
• Nehawu obo Lucas and Dept of Health (Western Cape) (2004) 25 ILJ 2091 BCA
• Standard Bank v CCMA (2008) 29 ILJ 1239 (LC)
• Abels and Dialogue Group (2009) 30 ILJ 2167 (CCMA)
• Samancor v Metal and Engineering Industries Bargaining Council (2010) 31 ILJ 1838 (LAC)

Sacwu v Afrox (1999) 20 ILJ 1718 (LAC)

CWIU v Algorax (2003) 24 ILJ 1917 (LAC)

Mazista Tiles v NUM (2004) 25 ILJ 2156 (LAC)

NUM v Fry’s Metals (2005) 26 ILJ 689 (SCA)

Forecourt Express v SATAWU (2006) 27 ILJ 2537 (LAC)

Van Rooyen v Blue Financial Services [2010] 10 BLLR 1119 (LC)

Several notable South African labour law cases have significantly influenced the country's legal landscape and shaped the rights and obligations of employers, employees, and trade unions. A few examples:

• SAPPI Novoboard (Pty) Ltd v Bolleurs [1998] 5 BLLR 460 (LAC)
• SABC v McKenzie [1999] 1 BLLR 1 (LAC)
• Building Bargaining Council (Southern & Eastern Cape) v Melmon's Cabinets CC & another (2001) 22 ILJ 120 (LC)
• Aslam, Farrar & others v Uber B.V & others case number 2202551/2015
• NUMSA v Assign Services & others (2017) ZALAC 44
• Goliath v SABC (2023) 44 ILJ 185 (LC)
• Masoga & another v Pick n Pay Retailers (Pty) Ltd & others (2019) 40 ILJ 2707 (LAC)
• Coetzee v South African Police Services [2004] 2 BALR 139 (SSSBC)
• NEWU v CCMA & others [2007] 7 BLLR 623 (LAC)
• Apollo Tyres South Africa (Pty) Ltd v Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration and Others [2013] 5 BLLR 434 (LAC)
• Transnet SOC Limited v UNTU obo Coetzee and others (2021) 42 ILJ 2478 (LC)
• Transnet v UNTU obo Coetzee (2021) 42 ILJ 2478 (LC)
• Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Eastern Cape v GPSSBC (2020) 41 ILJ 1321 (LAC)
• Ntsabo v Real Security CC [2004] 1 BLLR 58 (LC), (2003) 24 ILJ 2341 (LC)
• Media 24 Ltd & another v Grobler [2005] 7 BLLR 649 (SCA)
• McPherson v University of KwaZulu-Natal & another [2009] 2 BLLR 170 (LC), (2008) 29 ILJ 674
• SA Metal Group (Pty) Ltd v CCMA & Others (C350/13) [2014] ZALCCT 15 (15 April 2014
• Naidoo v Parliament of the Republic of South Africa (2020) 41 ILJ 1931 (LAC)
• DCS v POPCRU (2013) 34 ILJ 1375 (SCA)
• Leonard Dingler Employee Representative Council v Leonard Dingler (1998) 19 ILJ 285 (LC)
• Standard Bank of South Africa v Makuleni (2021) ZALCJHB 309(LC)
• McGregor v Public Health and Social Development Sectoral Bargaining Council & others 2021 (5) SA 425 (CC)
• Stoman v Minister of Safety & Security & Others (2002) 23 ILJ 1020 (T)
• Dudley v City of Cape Town & another [2008] 12 BLLR 1155 (LAC)
• South African Police Service v Solidarity obo Barnard 2014 (6) SA 123 (CC)
• Mafomane v Rustenburg Platinum Mines Ltd [2003]10 BLLR 999 (LC)
• Consani Engineering (Pty) Ltd v CCMA (2004) 25 ILJ 1707 (LC)
• Solidarity obo Wehncke v Surf4Cars (Pty) Ltd [2014] 7 BLLR 702 (LAC)
• Palace Engineering (Pty) Ltd v Ngcobo & Others [2014] 6 BLLR 557 (LAC)
• De Bruyn v Metorex (Pty) Ltd [2021] 10 BLLR 979 (LAC)
• Standard Bank of South Africa v Makuleni (2021) ZALCJHB 309(LC) and Makuleni v Standard Bank (2023) 44 ILJ 1005 (LAC)
• SANDU v Minister of Defence & others [2006] 11 BLLR 1043 (SCA)
• SAMWU v Ethekweni Municipality (2006) 27 ILJ 225 (BCA)
• National Manufactured Fibres Employers Association & another v Bikwani & others [1999] 10 BLLR 1076 (LC)
• In2Food (Pty) Ltd v FAWU & Others (2013) 34 ILJ 2589 (LC)
• Commercial Stevedoring Agricultural and Allied Workers’ Union and others v Oak Valley Estates (Pty) Ltd and another (2022) ZACC 7