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This was the testimony of Xolile Finca before the labour court on Tuesday. Finca is suing Old Mutual for R100 000 after the company allegedly mishandled a racism incident.
Two years ago on April 16, an employee, Jenny Burger, was allegedly heard to ask her supervisor, Barbara Van Zyl: "Why did you put me next to these kaffirs?".
She allegedly asked Van Zyl this after desks in the office were re-arranged and employees sat closer to each other.
In court documents, Burger claims she said: "Why should I sit next to these people from Khayelitsha?"
Mike Wagner, who is representing Old Mutual in the case, pointed out that Finca "never heard Burger's statement. He heard it from Zorina Jeffreys, a colleague."
In reaction to a statement by Wagner that Old Mutual "was doing very well as far as transformation was concerned", Finca replied that this was not true. "There is no transformation at Old Mutual," he said.
Finca's legal representative, Colin Kahamoritz, said the company conducted a disciplinary hearing only in October 2003, about six months after the alleged incident.
"Ms Burger was dismissed on November 10, but on December 2, Mr Finca was informed that his colleague successfully appealed her dismissal. She would return to work the next day," Kahamoritz said.
Finca, who has been in Old Mutual's employ for 19 years, said he was dumbfounded by the news. "I was not informed about the appeal and was again disappointed by management.
"After this news, Mr Jerry van Niekerk from Old Mutual told me: 'Nelson Mandela forgave white people. If you follow his example, this problem can be solved'."
The case before judge Elna Revelas continues.
