As a labour consultant, I’ve handled dozens of disciplinary disputes, from standard absenteeism to complex misconduct. But one case stands out not just because of the outcome, but because of how tense and unpredictable the arbitration process became.
The case involved a security officer who was dismissed for dereliction of duty & bringing the company name into disrepute. He had failed to detect a client’s firearm during a standard search at a site managed by the security company I represented. The client later sent an email to the company expressing serious concern about the incident, clearly shaken by how easily the firearm went unnoticed.
The officer took the matter to the NBC, claiming unfair dismissal. At arbitration, I presented the CCTV footage of the incident, which clearly showed the client holding out the firearm in full view of the officer right after he had walked past the search point. The footage was unambiguous, and it painted a clear picture of negligence.
But things took an unexpected turn. During the proceedings, the dismissed officer became visibly agitated. As the evidence started pointing against him, he grew unsettled and eventually tried to physically confront both me and the commissioner. The arbitration was paused, and security had to intervene.
Despite the disruption, the case went on. The commissioner reviewed the evidence and found the dismissal to be both procedurally and substantively fair.
What made this case memorable wasn’t just the result it was how quickly a routine arbitration turned volatile. It reminded me that representing companies at the CCMA, NBC or any dispute resolution centers isn’t just about knowing the facts or policy. It’s about staying calm under pressure, protecting the integrity of the process, and never underestimating how personal these cases can become for the individuals involved.
It also reinforced the importance of proper site training and consistent security protocols. A single oversight can escalate quickly, and in industries like security, mistakes carry serious risks not just for clients, but for reputations and livelihoods.”
R. Morukhu