Assets attached at Justice Department after visit from sheriff
Nehawu in Limpopo who is representing the employee said it is shocking that justice is not served in a regional justice office.
POLOKWANE – Employees of the Department for Justice and Constitutional Development were reluctant to hand over the keys to the sheriff last Monday, following a court order to attach some property worth R617 824.22 after failing to keep to the demands of an earlier arbitration award.
The arbitration document which Polokwane Observer has a copy of, ordered that an employee be reinstated to work at the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court and be backpaid for a period of 26 months. The department, however failed to adhere to this ruling, and four vehicles were to be attached as assets.
Since employees at the time said it was only the legal unit of the office’s mandate to supposedly give permission for the keys to be handed over, the sheriff consequently advised the complainant to contact a locksmith who then opened the facility where one sedan was based. The vehicle, according to the sheriff, was towed away and taken to the sheriff’s premises situated in Ladanna. Spokesperson to the minister responsible, Chrispin Phiri told Polokwane Observer that a request for the provincial head to urgently provide a report to enable the minister to make a determination has been made, and a thorough response shall follow.
Meanwhile, National Education Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) in Limpopo who represents the embattled employee, said it is “shocking that justice is not served in a regional justice office”. Provincial chairperson, Eric Chauke says they will closely monitor the situation to ensure that further property is attached to make up the amount.
