The Casual Workers Advice Office has strongly criticised the CCMA’s ruling that supported Dis-Chem’s decision to dismiss an employee who, due to cancer treatment, could no longer manage the physical demands of her job, which involved lifting heavy items, Cape {town} Etc reports.
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Refilwe Matinketsa, who had worked as a picker at Dis-Chem since March 2019, was let go in April 2024 following a meeting about her medical condition, which left her unable to fulfil her job requirements.
As a result of her treatment, Matinketsa now requires a stoma, a small bag used to collect bodily waste, making it impossible for her to lift heavy items.
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The Casual Workers Advice Office issued a statement condemning Dis-Chem, noting that the company, which operates 319 stores across South Africa, Namibia and Botswana, and boasts assets worth R10.7 billion, failed to find a suitable light-duty position for a loyal employee and cancer survivor.
‘This pharmacy giant…claims to be SA’s first choice in pharmacies; yet it has refused to find a permanent light-duty job for its female cancer survivor employee, even after years of loyal service from her,’ the statement read.
In 2022, Matinketsa’s cancer-related health problems led to frequent absences and a period of temporary disability.
When her condition improved, her line manager, Pule Moeketsi, determined she was in remission and could return to work as a picker. However, by December, she struggled to complete her shifts due to the stoma bag, making heavy lifting increasingly difficult.
Dis-Chem then reassigned her to a packer role, but this position became redundant because it required her to work from 6pm to 10pm with few tasks available during the later hours. The company hoped she would eventually recover enough to return to her original role.
Dis-Chem ultimately couldn’t retain Matinketsa in the packer role due to a Section 189 process that rendered the position redundant. Although she was considered for a cashier role, restructuring made it unfeasible.
Dis-Chem maintained that it had explored all available options, including the specifics of Matinketsa’s role.
Commissioner Johan Stapelberg commented, ‘The evidence is clear on both her own version and the doctor’s prognosis that she could not perform the duties of a picker any longer…She was not even able to perform her light duties and confirmed she was unable to meet the targets.’
He added that Dis-Chem had accommodated her for as long as possible, but due to a shrinking workforce and the prognosis that she could not permanently perform her duties, the dismissal was deemed fair.
According to Business Live, Dis-Chem said that it ‘followed all protocols and procedures to accommodate’ Matinketsa.
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