On the 8th of July 2021, South Africans woke up to the news of violent Pro-Zuma protests which had started in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and soon after spread to Gauteng. What started as a political conflict morphed into an almost countrywide riot crisis as protesters looted shops and shopping malls, barricaded roads, and vandalised properties. 

While the after-effects of the civil unrest are still unfolding, the burning question is how can employers take action to deal with employees who were seen and caught participating in the looting. 

Employment Law experts Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr has released “An employer’s guide to dealing with employees during civil unrest", in which they explore these questions, and look at issues where employers are able to establish a basis to discipline and dismiss employees.  

Report by Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr