Education department ordered to pay late senior lecturer R571,000 after underpaying him for almost a decade

The North West Department of Higher Education has been ordered to pay a late senior lecturer over R571,000 after he was underpaid for almost a decade.

The man was appointed as a senior lecturer at Orbit College in August 2012. In 2015, the college was transferred to the department of education, but his salary was not adjusted.

To get his earnings, the lecturer sought relief at the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) where he was represented by the National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu).

The initial hearing took place in May 2024. During the proceedings, both parties aimed for an amicable settlement, which resulted in an expectation to calculate the salary discrepancies and draft a submission to the Director General of the Department for approval by August 4, 2024.

However, despite this commitment, the matter remained unresolved until the tragic death of the lecturer in April 2025.

After his death, his family, including his wife and children, inherited the pursuit of his claim. The proceedings resumed in June 2025; however, the Department did not contest the claims of unfair labour practice, nor did they produce evidence or call witnesses to defend their position.

Commissioner Chance Khazamula ruled in favour of the lecturer’s family, asserting that the department had committed an act of unfair labour practice by failing to remunerate the late lecturer appropriately since April 2015, the date of the college’s transfer. 

"I further find that the respondent (the department of education) should pay the applicant (the lecturer) a total amount of R571,470."

Commissioner Khazamula ordered the money to be paid into the lecturer estate’s account which must be provided to the department on or before July 31, 2025.

sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za

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