Baragwanath Guard Worked 9 Years — Then Mafoko Security Paid Him R18,000 Instead Of R70,000

A former security guard at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital in Soweto has approached the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) over an alleged underpayment of his employment benefits after nine years of service.

Sipho Dlamini, 41, reportedly received R18,000 from Mafoko Security Patrols when his employment ended, despite calculations indicating that he was owed R69,847 in severance pay, accumulated leave and outstanding wages. The alleged shortfall amounts to R51,847.

According to reports, Dlamini worked for the private security company continuously from 2015, protecting one of South Africa’s largest public hospitals. His duties reportedly included overnight shifts at the facility, where he was regularly stationed at the D-Block entrance during late-night and early-morning hours, including the cold winter months.

Dlamini maintains that the amount he received did not reflect his full employment entitlements. He also alleges that the company failed to provide a written breakdown explaining how the R18,000 payment was calculated. Furthermore, he reportedly did not sign a settlement agreement detailing the terms of the payment.

After allegedly failing to resolve the matter directly with his former employer, the security guard referred the dispute to the CCMA in Johannesburg. The commission has confirmed that the case is active and is expected to proceed to conciliation. However, no hearing date had been announced at the time of reporting.

Mafoko Security Patrols had not responded to questions about the allegations before publication.

The Gauteng Department of Health confirmed that Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital operates under a service-level agreement with the security contractor. However, the department stated that employment disputes involving the contractor’s workers fall outside its jurisdiction.

The dispute has also drawn attention to concerns about employment benefits among security personnel working under outsourced contracts. South Africa’s Basic Conditions of Employment Act outlines provisions relating to severance pay and outstanding leave payments in circumstances where workers qualify for such entitlements.

For Dlamini, pursuing the matter has reportedly placed additional pressure on his finances. He has allegedly borrowed money to cover transportation expenses associated with the CCMA proceedings. His daughter, Thandiwe, accompanied him to the commission’s offices, carrying his original employment contract.

The outcome will depend on the evidence presented during conciliation and any subsequent proceedings. It remains unclear whether Dlamini will recover the disputed R51,847.

https://x.com/eNCA/status/2111396811172954152