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SAMWU WELCOMES LABOUR COURT RULING AGAINST KAROO HOOGLAND LOCAL MUNICIPALITY UPHOLDING WORKERS’ RIGHTS 

The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) Decarna Region in the Northern Cape province notes, welcomes and celebrates the judgment handed down by Acting Judge K. Mokwena of the Labour Court of South Africa on 10 February 2025, in the matter between the Karoo Hoogland Local Municipality and our member, Comrade Mahlo. For us, this is not just a legal victory, it is a triumph for workers’ rights, justice, and the rule of law.

For six years, Cde. Mahlo, who is a former SAMWU Decarna Deputy Regional Chairperson, endured unfair treatment, wrongful dismissal, and a battle for dignity in the workplace. The South African Local Government Bargaining Council (SALGBC) saw the injustice and ruled in her favour. Instead of accepting the outcome of the SALGBC, the Municipality wasted time, resources, and public money dragging this matter to the Labour Court. And now, yet again, another independent legal body has found against them. The Labour Court’s decision to dismiss the Municipality’s review application and uphold Ms. Mahlo’s reinstatement is a clear and final condemnation of the Municipality’s conduct.

We are calling on the Karoo Hoogland Municipality to finally do the right thing: respect the ruling, reinstate Ms. Mahlo, and end this reckless abuse of public funds. Municipalities have made it fashionable to appeal every ruling that goes against them, treating the courts as weapons to delay justice instead of places to uphold it. This practice has had detrimental impact on employer-employee relations and must come to an end immediately.

If anyone within the Municipality still believes they should pursue an appeal, they must do so at their own expense. Not a single cent of public money, money meant for service delivery—should be used to fund personal vendettas and legal theatrics. Municipal budgets belong to communities, not to individuals desperate to save face after being found guilty of unfair labour practices.

Furthermore, this judgment is a direct warning to all municipalities across the country: workers are not disposable. No employer has the right to silence workers, victimise them for speaking out, or ignore the constitutional structures meant to protect them. The Local Labour Forum (LLF) exists to foster transparency, dialogue, and fairness in the workplace—yet this Municipality sought to undermine and intrude on its operations. The Court has now confirmed what we have always known: such interference is unlawful and will not be tolerated.

We commend the Labour Court for delivering a just and decisive ruling, one that reaffirms the fundamental rights of workers. We stand with Ms. Mahlo, and we stand with every worker who has been victimised, dismissed unfairly, or silenced for daring to demand fairness in municipalities. 

As SAMWU, will never stop fighting for workers’ rights, and we will continue to expose and challenge any Municipality that refuses to uphold justice.

To the Karoo Hoogland Local Municipality, we say: the courts have spoken, accept this ruling, reinstate Ms. Mahlo, and put an end to this disgraceful abuse of power.

Issued by SAMWU Decarna Region

Peter Demas

Regional Secretary

0712691470

Or 

Elrien Gaika

Deputy Regional Secretary

0822893747