Gcina Dhladhla’s family is asking for calm as public anger builds over her death at Cartrack and has invited the company’s staff and management to attend her funeral today.
The 29-year-old will be buried after both sides described reaching a measure of understanding in the days since the tragedy.
Her death at the company’s Rosebank offices on June 6 has sparked widespread outrage, with allegations that she was refused permission to leave work while unwell. Cartrack disputes this, saying she reported feeling dizzy and nauseous, was assisted by her manager, and later collapsed in a bathroom cubicle.
Labour unions, political parties and civil society organisations have stepped up calls for accountability over her death, with pickets held outside Cartrack’s premises this week. The ANC Youth League demonstrated on Thursday, while the EFF picketed outside the company yesterday.
As investigations continue, the Dhladhla family and Cartrack have issued a joint appeal for patience, urging South Africans to allow independent processes to establish the facts surrounding her death. Cartrack has also offered to pay for the funeral.
On Wednesday, family representatives met with the company's management in what both parties described as an emotional but constructive engagement aimed at understanding what happened and charting a path forward.
“The meeting was emotional and constructive, and provided an opportunity for questions to be asked, information to be shared, and for everyone to better understand the events surrounding this tragedy,” the joint statement read.
Family representative Thamsanqa Mbuli said the meeting had achieved an important milestone.
“We’d like to thank Cartrack management for their cooperation, allowing an organic first discussion that was open and transparent. Our intended objective of clarifying the sequence of events leading up to our beloved daughter, sister, and colleague's passing was achieved...” Mbuli said.
For Gcina’s sister, Lindiwe Dhladhla, the discussions brought a measure of comfort.
“What happened today has given me peace,” she said.
Despite the growing public attention, the Dhladhla family appealed for restraint while investigations continue.
“We thank the love and support expressed by all South Africans and wish to remind everyone who is supporting our family that we have not established all material facts surrounding our loss and would like support from you in allowing the processes of investigation to unfold without pre-empting the outcome. Cartrack employees are our brothers and sisters as well; let us not see them as enemies,” Mbuli said.
“We want Cartrack to feel welcome to attend the funeral and to show their support,” said Gcina’s aunt, Phumzile Dhladhla.
Cartrack South Africa CEO Joshua Victor reiterated the company’s commitment to the investigative processes.
“Our colleague was a valued member of our team and this loss has been deeply felt across the organisation. We remain deeply committed to supporting the family, cooperating fully with law enforcement and the Department of Labour, and ensuring that every fact is uncovered and established through the appropriate processes,” Victor said.
The case has also intensified debate around workplace conditions, employee wellbeing, and employer responsibility.
The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) has meanwhile called for an independent investigation into Cartrack’s workplace practices, saying the matter could expose broader problems in South African workplaces.
FEDUSA Acting General Secretary Ashley Benjamin said: “There are allegations that the deceased employee sought sick leave in the days preceding her passing and that this request may not have been accommodated. These allegations require a thorough and independent investigation,” Benjamin told the Saturday Star.
Benjamin said the case also reflects wider concerns within the call centre industry and high-pressure workplaces.
“No worker should ever feel compelled to choose between their health and their livelihood,” he said.
“Worker wellbeing must be treated as a fundamental workplace obligation rather than an operational inconvenience.”
FEDUSA has called for the company to cooperate fully with authorities and for labour inspectors to engage confidentially with employees.
“Workers must be afforded the opportunity to speak freely without fear of retaliation or victimisation,” Benjamin said, adding that investigations should examine not only the employee’s death but also broader concerns around working conditions and employee wellbeing.
He said any investigation “must be independent, thorough and credible” to ensure confidence in its findings.
The Public Servants Association (PSA) has also called on the Department of Employment and Labour and relevant authorities to intervene where employers “disregard medical advice, deny employees the right to recover, or create workplace cultures where employees are afraid to report illness”.
The union said employers should be held accountable where “negligence, intimidation, victimisation, or disregard for employee welfare is found”.
It further urged workers to report unsafe and unhealthy working conditions, including pressure to work while medically unfit, adding: “The death of Ms Dhladhla must not be reduced to another headline. It must lead to accountability, reform, and a renewed commitment to humane workplaces where the lives of employees matter more than targets and profit.”
Political pressure has also escalated, with ActionSA announcing plans to open a criminal case with the South African Police Service (SAPS), accusing the company of violating workers’ rights and calling for urgent accountability.
The party’s Johannesburg caucus has strongly condemned the circumstances surrounding Dhladhla’s death, alleging that she was forced back to work while unwell and denied proper medical leave, claims that have not yet been tested in court.
ActionSA councillor Tshepo Mposula described the incident as “despicable,” saying the treatment of employees at the company raises serious concerns about workplace practices.
“She got back to work, and she went back to work, and unfortunately, she passed on within the premises at the Cartwright Company,” Mposula said.
“That behaviour is despicable, and we are so disappointed with Cartwright Company for treating their employees like this. They have violated the Labour Relations Act.”
Mposula said every worker has a legal right to sick leave and should not be forced to work while unwell.
“Every person has got the right for applying for sick leave. If somebody is not well, they have got a right. According to the Labour Relations Act, it’s one of the core and fundamental rights for somebody to apply and be granted sick leave,” he said.
Saturday Star
