Gcina Dhladhla, 29, died at the Cartrack offices in Rosebank on Saturday after collapsing in a toilet cubicle. According to the family, Dhladhla had expressed concerns about her health in the days leading up to her death. Cartrack maintains that sick leave was never denied to the employee, while the family and the union Cosatu have raised allegations regarding the company’s workplace health and safety practices.
Did You Know? Gcina Dhladhla had submitted two sick notes to her employer in the fortnight preceding her death, with documentation citing “ill health and extreme fatigue,” according to family representative Nomusa Dhladhla.
Conflicting accounts of the final hours
The sequence of events leading to the death remains a point of contention between the family and the company. According to Cartrack’s director of corporate affairs, Lauren Human, Dhladhla arrived at work at 8 a.m. on Saturday appearing well. Human stated that when Dhladhla reported feeling dizzy and nauseous around 9 a.m., her manager accompanied her to the bathroom, after which facilities staff and first responders were alerted when she did not respond from a cubicle.
Nomusa Dhladhla disputes this, citing accounts from colleagues who reportedly saw her niece in distress on Friday. According to Nomusa, her niece had been crying at her desk and expressed fear that she would face disciplinary action if she did not report for her Saturday shift. Nomusa further alleged that when she called the manager during the emergency, the conversation focused on the costs of a private clinic rather than immediate medical intervention.
Workplace health and safety concerns
The allegations have prompted a response from the trade union federation Cosatu. Zanele Sabela, representing Cosatu, stated that the union is “shocked” by the circumstances of the death. Sabela noted that the situation raises broader questions regarding the duty of care employers owe to staff, particularly when employees report serious health challenges.
Cartrack has officially refuted claims that it denied sick leave, noting that a sick note from a dentist provided by Dhladhla the previous week was accepted. The company maintains that its on-site first responders were equipped with an automated external defibrillator and that emergency services were contacted immediately once the severity of the situation was realized.
Expert Insight: The disconnect between the company’s internal records and the family’s claims of disciplinary pressure highlights a significant tension in modern office environments. When an employee feels that their job security is tied to attendance despite documented illness, the “duty of care” becomes a legal and ethical battleground. Future investigations will likely focus on whether the company’s disciplinary policies inadvertently discouraged employees from seeking necessary medical rest.
What may happen next
The family is currently scheduled to meet with Cartrack management to discuss the incident, and a funeral is planned for this coming Saturday. Because Cosatu has publicly signaled its intent to monitor the situation, it is likely that the company will face increased pressure to provide transparency regarding its internal attendance policies and the specific actions taken during the emergency response.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the stated cause of Gcina Dhladhla’s absence prior to her death?
According to her family, she had submitted two sick notes in the two weeks before her death citing “ill health and extreme fatigue.”
Did Cartrack deny her sick leave?
The company stated that sick leave was never denied and noted that a sick note provided by her the previous week was accepted.
What is the current status of the situation?
The family is expected to meet with the company, and Cosatu has called for an investigation into workplace health and safety standards following the incident.
How can companies better balance operational requirements with the health and safety of their employees?