Share

Consumer commissioner pleads for her job

Pretoria - Embattled national consumer commissioner Mamodupi Mohlala-Mulaudzi urged Trade Minister Rob Davies on Wednesday to extend her employment contract.

"I believe I have worked very hard. I have excelled," she told the National Press Club in Pretoria.

"I have gone beyond my call of duty. In fact, myself and the (consumer commission) team have made sure consumers are better off."

She said she wanted her contract, which expires on September 3, to be renewed for a further five year term.

"I love my job and would love to continue in my position as consumer commissioner. I believe that for any institution to be effective, you need to give it between three to five years."

The commissioner said approaching courts over the contractual debacle with the trade and industry department was a last resort, following failed bids to engage Davies.

"The court process has really been my last port of call. I have attempted on many occasions to (set up) meetings, to get an audience to resolve this matter, but it is also important for me to protect my rights."

In June, the Johannesburg Labour Court dismissed Mohlala-Mulaudzi’s application to interdict Davies from terminating her contract.

Her application was dismissed with costs.

In dismissing the application, presiding judge HS Cele said Davies had complied with the government's labour procedure and it was inappropriate for Mohlala-Mulaudzi to complain before a new candidate had been appointed.

The commissioner had approached the court after Davies sent her a letter on May 21, notifying her of his intention not to renew her contract when it expires in September.

Following the stifled court bid, Mohlala-Mulaudzi said she was negotiating the way forward with her legal team.

"I am still in discussion with my legal team as to how we are going to take the matter forward. Very soon we will have a clear picture as to where we will be taking the matter," she said.

On Thursday, Mohlala-Mulaudzi brought consumers to the media briefing who she said had been assisted by the consumer commission.

Mohlala-Mulaudzi first took Davies' department to court in May when her position was advertised, stating her employment agreement was violated as she was not consulted before the advertisement was placed.

The Labour Court ruled on May 18 that Mohlala-Mulaudzi's contract would indeed end in September.

 
We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
18.94
-0.2%
Rand - Pound
23.91
-0.1%
Rand - Euro
20.43
+0.2%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.34
+0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.13
-0.2%
Platinum
910.50
+1.5%
Palladium
1,011.50
+1.0%
Gold
2,221.35
+1.2%
Silver
24.87
+0.9%
Brent Crude
86.09
-0.2%
Top 40
68,346
+1.0%
All Share
74,536
+0.8%
Resource 10
57,251
+2.8%
Industrial 25
103,936
+0.6%
Financial 15
16,502
-0.1%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders