R3.19 million payout to former worker Etienne Jordaan was authorised this month after the Cape Town Labour Court found that 13 years of litigation left him financially ruined, reports Cape {town} Etc.
The court placed the September 2025 judgment into operation so Jordaan may execute an arbitration award while a petition for leave to appeal remains pending.
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Acting Judge Coen De Kock said the sequence of repeated challenges by the employer had produced circumstances that were ‘truly exceptional’ and that further delay could deprive Jordaan of the benefit of his victory.
The judge ordered that Jordaan and his wife may not sell or further mortgage their Worcester property, a step the court said would provide security while the appeal process continues.
Jordaan was dismissed in January 2013 from a Worcester plant. A CCMA ruling later found the dismissal unfair, and arbitration in February 2025 set total back pay at just over R3.1 million.
Over the years, Jordaan spent about R2.5 million on legal fees, emptied his pension, sold his car and used other assets to pursue the claim.
This ruling will allow execution of the award immediately, giving Jordaan access to funds secured by the court while normal appellate routes continue.
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Picture: Jaco Marais / Gallo Images (Image purely for illustrative purpose)
