Cartrack has issued an official statement following the death of an employee who suffered a medical emergency at its Rosebank offices on Saturday, 6 June, while also responding to allegations circulating on social media regarding the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The company said it was “deeply saddened by the passing of our colleague” and extended its condolences to the employee’s family, friends and colleagues. According to Cartrack, the employee arrived at work at approximately 8:00am and later informed her manager that she was feeling dizzy and nauseous. The company stated that after she entered a bathroom cubicle, staff became concerned when there was no response and immediately activated trained first responders while emergency medical services were called.
“The medical emergency was sudden and unexpected. Once the seriousness of the situation became apparent, our colleague received immediate assistance from highly trained on-site first responders who were equipped with an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), while emergency medical services were immediately called to the scene,” the company said.
Addressing allegations that the employee had been denied sick leave, Cartrack said the claims were inaccurate. “Sick leave has never been denied to our colleague or to anyone else,” the company stated. It added that the employee had taken sick leave on 1 June and had submitted a sick note that was accepted by the company. Cartrack also said the employee had raised personal challenges affecting her outside the workplace, and that these matters were handled “with sensitivity and confidentiality” by her manager.
The company confirmed that a case has been opened with the South African Police Service and that the matter is under investigation. “Cartrack remains fully committed to a thorough and transparent investigation and welcomes any person with relevant information or evidence to provide it through the appropriate channels so that it can be properly assessed,” the statement read.
Cartrack further expressed concern over what it described as the spread of unverified allegations. “We are deeply concerned by the circulation of unverified allegations regarding this incident,” the company said, adding that such claims have caused distress to employees, managers and first responders who are mourning the loss of a colleague.
The company said it is cooperating fully with law enforcement authorities and the Department of Labour while continuing to support the deceased employee’s family and provide counselling and assistance to affected staff members. “Our immediate priority is to support our colleague’s family and to provide counselling and assistance to employees affected by this loss,” Cartrack said.
Meanwhile, members of the ANC Youth League gathered outside Cartrack’s headquarters in Rosebank, Johannesburg, on Tuesday in protest over the death of Dhladhla. The group is demanding answers and a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death, as public pressure continues to mount on the company and calls grow for greater transparency regarding the incident.
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