Hopolang Mokhopi
TEXTILE factory, Quantum Apparels, in Maputsoe has initiated disciplinary proceedings against 223 employees following an alleged unlawful strike that took place at the factory on 25 June last year.
The move comes after the Labour Court dismissed an application by the workers, in which they had sought an order allowing them to return to work after being sent home on 26 June 2025.
In their application, the workers argued that management had informed them they were being sent home because machines had broken down following a fire during the strike. However, they claimed that some employees were later secretly recalled to work, a development they said amounted to unfair treatment.
The case was dismissed after Quantum Apparels’ Human Resources manager, ’Matšepiso Mokone, testified that the 223 workers had not been dismissed but were laid off while the company awaited the arrival of replacement machines ordered from China. She told the court that not all machines were damaged on 25 June 2025, which explained why some employees had continued working.
The workers were therefore shocked when their trade union, UNITE, received a letter from Ms Mokone dated 6 February 2026, summoning the 223 employees to disciplinary hearings.
“This letter serves as a formal request for your good office to assist in locating the people whose names are attached below for a proper disciplinary process,” Ms Mokone wrote.
“This follows after a deep investigation (sic) that took months to complete. This was the result of an unlawful strike that happened at our premises months ago.
“Upon completion of the said investigation, all means have been exhausted in trying to locate the people in question, but without success. We therefore believe that, with your well-known resources, you will be able to assist in this matter, as we are aware they are your union members.”
Court case
In court, Ms Mokone said the company laid off the 223 workers to allow for inspections of the workplace following a fire that broke out near the boiler. She explained that part of the boiler’s motor had been removed and needed replacement.
“It was going to take time to replace it since it was ordered from China. Near the boiler is a place where the factory’s trash is burned before being collected by the city council. Inside the factory, machines had fallen and some were broken.”
Ms Mokone told the court that employees were informed via the public address system when to return to work once repairs began. She said the company sourced a temporary motor from China, while the machines also required fixing.
“So far, only 83 machines have been fixed. The rest are still awaiting parts from China,” she said.
She further testified that some employees had not been recalled because there were insufficient machines for them to operate. In addition, the boiler was not functioning properly, limiting the number of irons available. She said quality controllers were also not rotating due to these constraints.
Ms Mokone emphasised that none of the employees had been dismissed, except for one Kananelo Mokhele, who was dismissed during the course of the court proceedings. The rest, she said, were still on lay-off.
In his judgment, the Deputy President of the Labour Court, Lieketso Ntene, dismissed the workers’ application.
“Having considered and analysed the papers filed of record and the submissions tendered by both counsel, the court comes to the following conclusion: the rule nisi issued on 23 June 2025 is discharged. The application is dismissed and there is no order as to costs,” Ms Ntene ruled.
Some of the affected workers who spoke to this publication said they intend to take the matter further by appealing to the Labour Appeal Court.
