15/10/2026
What if two employees fight, then forgive each other? Can a zero-tolerance assault policy still justify dismissal?
In this episode of our "What If" series, Maserumule Corporate Employment Law unpacks the Labour Court's September 2026 judgment in DSV Solutions (Pty) Ltd v NUM obo Palmer and Others (JR 2353/22).
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A pallet jack driver kicked a colleague on a client's site. That evening, the two apologised and made peace, but he was charged and dismissed. The commissioner found the misconduct proven, yet held dismissal too harsh: the incident was isolated, no injury was caused, the employee had long service, and the employer led no evidence on why corrective discipline was not an option. Reinstatement was ordered with only partial backpay. The Labour Court dismissed the employer's review.
In this episode:
- The facts and the arbitration award
- Why the Court rejected the employer's three review grounds: seriousness, apology and zero tolerance
- Why a zero-tolerance policy does not replace the fairness enquiry into sanction
- Practical takeaways for employers
Link to case: https://www.saflii.org/za/cases/ZALCJHB/2026/347.html