Council orders Oliphant reinstated with R1.53m back pay

The Public Health and Social Development Sectoral Bargaining Council has ordered the Department of Social Development to reinstate Lumka Oliphant after ruling her dismissal procedurally and substantively unfair. The department must also pay her R1,535,516.04 in back pay, equal to 12 months’ remuneration. The award directs Oliphant to return to her former position on November 1, 2026, on the same terms and conditions that applied when she was dismissed, without loss of benefits. The department must pay the back pay in two instalments of R767,758.02, due by November 15 and December 15, 2026. The council found that the department had not proved the misconduct charges on which it relied to dismiss her. Reporting on the award says it found all five charges unproven, including allegations concerning communications policy, disrespect and bringing the department into disrepute. The council concluded the department had not established that Oliphant’s conduct met the required standard for those allegations. Oliphant was dismissed in October 2025 following a disciplinary process. The department had placed her on precautionary suspension the previous month. It said the suspension related...