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Bargaining council orders Social Development to reinstate Lumka Oliphant

Published

Oliphant, the department's former chief communications director, must return to work on 1 November and receive back pay of more than R1.5 million. The council ruled that her dismissal was unfair.

One report says the council found the dismissal procedurally unfair. Another says it was procedurally and substantively unfair. Arbitrator Suria van Wyk handed down the award, which another report dates to 17 October.

Van Wyk found that the department did not prove the charges on a balance of probabilities. The award covers 12 months of back pay, from 17 October 2025 to 17 October 2026. Oliphant returns on the same terms and conditions.

Oliphant denied bringing the department into disrepute. She also denied threatening to assault former minister Sisisi Tolashe. She says the dismissal was an abuse of power.

Oliphant now hopes the Public Service Commission will investigate her dismissal and that of 18 colleagues. She says someone must be held accountable.

Key facts

Who
Lumka Oliphant (Former Chief Communications Director at the Department of Social Development); Social Development and Health Bargaining Council (Body that issued the ruling); Department of Social Development (Employer that dismissed Oliphant); Suria van Wyk (arbitrator who handed down the award)
What
The bargaining council ruled Lumka Oliphant's dismissal procedurally unfair, ordered the department to reinstate her on 1 November, and ordered it to pay her more than R1.5 million in back pay.
When
20 October 2026
Where
South Africa
Status
Reported

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