Legal updates and opinions
News / News
False workplace racism allegations increasingly punished by courts
The problem of being accused of racism, when the allegation is untrue, is starting to come to the fore and increasingly tested by our legal system.
Race and racism is such a sensitive issue and the consequences of being labelled a racist can be far-reaching. A perpetrator can face dismissal by their employer, whether the racist conduct was committed in the workplace or even outside of it, face criminal charges and action can be taken in the equality courts.
In the context of the workplace, there have been a growing number of instances in which employers have had to deal with false allegations of racism. They have had to consider what to do with an employee who has made this allegation, either maliciously, or even carelessly, against a colleague.
But playing the race card, colloquially speaking, is now increasingly being recognised as a material misconduct on the part of an employee and has been recognised even by the Labour Appeal Court as justifying dismissal of the employee who made the unfounded allegation.
Employers should recognise that any allegations of racist conduct must be carefully investigated, with the due interests of the accused as well as the person making the allegation taken into account.
Whoever has acted improperly in the matter – whether it be the person who actually acted in a racist manner, of the person who made the allegation maliciously to smear the other’s reputation, or where no reasonable grounds to found the allegation exist – must bear the consequences. Genuine racism is deservedly being systematically rooted out in all aspects of our society, not least in the workplace, in order to try and move away from the injustices of the past, and towards a more egalitarian society.
Latest News
Defamation in Labour Law – Manqele V Baloyi Masango Inc Attorneys and Others (896/2023) [2025] Zampmbhc 75 (12 August 2025)
by Bankey Sono, Director and Neo Sewela, Senior Associate It is not unusual for employers to appoint a law firm [...]
Voluntary liquidations: A cost effective and efficient method of conducting a corporate clean-up, and for ending the existence of dormant companies
by Brendan Olivier Quite understandably, the word 'liquidation' can send shivers down the spine, and cause a company director to [...]
Substance dependence in the workplace- misconduct or incapacity?
by Bradley Workman-Davies - Director, Nasheetah Smith - Senior Associate & Isabella Keeves - Candidate Attorney One of the challenges [...]
Cutting the baby in half – when equality meets reality: Paid maternity leave after Van Wyk v Minister of Employment and Labour
by Bradley Workman-Davies, Director and Kerry Fredericks, Director The Constitutional Court's recent judgment in Van Wyk and Others v Minister [...]
SME cashflow threats: when liquidation strikes a supplier or customer
by Brendan Olivier An SME that permits its customers and suppliers to trade with it on credit terms, does so [...]
Global developments in gambling, betting and e-sports regulation: Lessons for South Africa
by Tebogo Sibidla, Director Like many other sectors of the economy that rely on technology, online gambling, gaming and betting [...]
