by Thinus Ferreira
The SABC has been ordered to pay a promoted and then spurned staffer almost R800 000 as part of a botched promotion appointment followed by an automated rejection email slammed as "grossly unfair", after SABC CEO Nomsa Chabeli approved the worker's promotion and her appointment was then abruptly halted and rejected.
The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) has ordered the SABC to pay staffer Nomhle Zenzile a year's higher pay of R766 608.48 after the public broadcaster's "reckless mismanagement of an internal recruitment process".
The shocking case started after Nomhle Zenzile, a SABC learning and development consultant with 13 years of experience, applied for an organisational development specialist position in 2024.
After an interview for the position, the panel recommended her appointment, and then Nomsa Chabeli, SABC CEO, approved and signed it on 28 November 2024.
In addition, the SABC's human resources rep formally congratulated Nomhle Zenzile, gave her a start date for her new position and even a "dummy payslip" of what her new salary would be.
Shockingly, the SABC then, for some reason, abruptly halted the process, with Nombhle Zenzule getting no answers or feedback - until January 2025 when she received an automated system rejection email.
Nomhle Zenzile, a member of the Bemawu trade union at the SABC, took her case to the CCMA.
Thula Cebekhulu, CCMA commissioner, ruled that the SABC was allowed not to give the promotion due to a changing requirement for an industrial psychology qualification.
The CCMA however, also ruled that the SABC's conduct throughout the process of Nomhle Zenzile's job "promotion" was grossly unfair.
According to the CCMA, the SABC "created a legitimate expectation that the applicant was recommended and appointed for the position" with the public broadcaster heavily criticised for its unprofessional recruitment process.
Thula Cebekhulu noted the "severe prejudice, disappointment, and suffering endured by the employee as she waited months for clarity".
Hannes du Buisson, Bemawu representative, says "This ruling is a massive vindication for our member and a stern warning to the SABC".
"Employers cannot play fast and loose with the careers, livelihoods, and psychological well-being of their staff. When a recruitment panel recommends a candidate, an HR representative congratulates them with a payslip, and the CEO signs the approval, an employer cannot simply walk away and hide behind an automated rejection email."
