RSSC SUSPENDS EMPLOYEE FOR THREATENING TO COMMIT SUICIDE

MBABANE – RSSC has suspended one of its employees for allegedly threatening to commit suicide within the company’s factory in Simunye.

RSSC is an acronym of Royal Swaziland Sugar Corporation.
Michael Gama, who claimed to have worked for the company for 17 years, is alleged to have threatened to commit suicide within the factory, in the event he was found guilty of substance abuse.

In the letter of his suspension, the management of the company stated that it viewed Gama’s threats as very serious and it resolved that he be suspended with immediate effect.
“We write to confirm that you have been charged with offences relating to substance abuse and that you have made threats that you will commit suicide within the factory should you be found guilty of these offences.

“Management views the threats made by you very serious and you are therefore suspended with immediate effect,” reads part of the letter of suspension that was signed by Edward Dlamini, who is the company’s production manager.

The management went on to inform Gama that he was being suspended with full pay pending finalisation of his disciplinary hearing.
 He was further advised that the decision to suspend him would persist until the completion of the disciplinary proceedings.

Gama has since instituted legal proceedings against the company, where he is seeking an order for the setting aside of his suspension.
In his application, which has been filed under a certificate of urgency at the Industrial Court, Gama highlighted that his immediate suspension was based on allegations of suicidal threats.

He pointed out that he had been employed by the respondent (RSCC) for a period of 17 years as a seasonal employee based at the sugar stores department as a bag hooker.

Giving a background of the matter, he stated that on or about December 10, 2017, he was served with a letter of suspension by RSCC on the allegations of substance abuse.
“The suspension has been hanging over my head for over six months, much against the respondent’s Industrial Relations Policies and Procedures,” submitted Gama

According to the applicant (Gama), as seasonal employees, it became a normal and established practice that during the off-crop season; being January to March, they were deployed to other departments but due to his suspension, he could not secure employment.

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