Oliphant calls for accountability in her dismissal

Former spokesperson at the Department of Social Development, Lumka Oliphant , says she hopes that the Public Service Commission will launch an investigation into her dismissal, as well as that of her 18 colleagues.

This follows a ruling by the Social Development and Health Bargaining Council that her dismissal from the department was procedurally unfair.

It has ordered that Oliphant be reinstated to her former position on the 1 st of November and pay her more than R1.5 million in back pay.

Oliphant says she believes that someone must be held accountable.

“I am hoping thought that the Public Service Commission will investigate how we were dismissed, because I think it is also a lesson for public service officials that there are things you cannot just simply do and for every signed document that you have, it is a legal document and is binding and no minister can come and tell you what to do.”