Dear Portfolio Committee on Labour,

My recent experience with CCMA tells me that there is still no access to justice for the poor and vulnerable people including the rest of the working class. I experienced very bad treatment at the CCMA where a commissioner told me that he will talk to the other commissioners to ensure that I don't succeed in my matter. Complaint was laid and the CSC concluded from an informal discussion that there was no wrong in saying that.

I took my matter to Labour Court for review based on corrupt activities and the CCMA decided not bring the records. I believe that it is as well known fact that review process will never be successful if the audio records are not there. This was not the first experience and was not the last as the audio records of other meetings which proceeded from that one were also not available. As long as there are no actions taken by those in power, corruption at CCMA will continue to destroy lifes of many South African, mostly working class.

In the Labour Court, as I was not represented, the judge was very harsh to me as I didnt write my story in the way he wanted. But I believe that if he really wanted to understand, he would have asked me to explain so that he can understand. Again, In the Labour Court my file disappeared for weeks to ensure that I dont prepare it before the hearing. The judge said I must consult before I come before him. This is the issue that convinced me that there is no justice for the poor people. You know what, there is no platform to take these kinds of issues because if it is known that you complained against a judge, the whole justice team will be against you. WHERE IS JUSTICE?

We try to resist racism and oppression that that is still rooted in the private industries more especially in the agricultural and manufacturing sectors but the oppressors know that you will not go any far because a CCMA Commissioner will be given a bribe to rule against the employee. If you go forward, you are always threatened with costs whilst on the other hand judges are denying us free access to the courts.

I really want to make formal representation to this committee because if issues like these are not dealt with to the roots, then there will never be justice in the country. The CCMA commissioners and management will always hide or destroy audio records deliberately to prevent matters of corruptions and abuse of power to be brought before the courts and no action will be taken against any person. People who are put on charge at the CCMA offices will continue using state monies to oppress those who are not having money to employ big legal firms. If that is what justice is, then justice is not there for the workers and it will never be found by them.