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No retrenchments for now at Motus Group

Jan 30, 2026 MISA, Motor Industry Staff Association, Tiekie Mocke, Dr Gerrie Ebersohn, The Motus Group, Labour Court


No retrenchments for now at Motus Group

 

The Motus Group has agreed not to retrench any of the 273 members of MISA (Motor

Industry Staff Association) and to suspend consultations regarding possible alternatives to retrenchment until 3 February, when two urgent applications brought by MISA will be heard in the Labour Court.These applications seek to interdict the JSE-listed company from unilaterally changing theterms and conditions of employment and from retrenching MISA members.

 

Advocate Andrew Redding, SC, appearing on behalf of Motus, informed the Labour Court in Johannesburg that Motus had insufficient time to prepare a response to MISA’s second urgent application, served on the company the previous day. Judge Reynaud Daniels agreed that the matter should stand down to allow Motus’s legal representative, to obtain instructions from his client. In particular, the Court requested confirmation as to whether Motus was prepared to provide an undertaking to halt retrenchments and to refrain from engaging MISA members on retrenchment-related issues. The Court indicated that it could see no prejudice to Motus should such an undertaking be

given.

 

Dr Gerrie Ebersohn, appearing on behalf of MISA, reiterated that the Union is of the view that the conduct of the Motus Group justifies the urgent nature of the application. MISA approached the Court seeking an interdict to protect its members against what it

describes as draconian, authoritarian, unfair and unlawful ultimatums issued by the Motus Group. According to the affidavit of Tiekie Mocke, Manager of MISA’s Legal Department, these ultimatums have caused MISA members severe anxiety and mental distress.

 

The Union maintains that its members require protection against the conduct of their

employer, Motus Retail, a division of the Motus Group. Judge Daniels  ordered that this application be heard together with MISA’s first interdict application, filed earlier this week. In that application, MISA seeks to prevent the Motus Group from unilaterally changing the terms and conditions of employment of the 273 MISA members affected by  

a section 189 restructuring process in terms of the Labour Relations Act.

 

Both applications will be heard on 3 February.

In addition, MISA’s dispute against Motus at the Motor Industry Bargaining Council (MIBCO) Dispute Resolution Centre will be heard on 16 February. This dispute concerns the alleged unilateral change to terms and conditions of employment.

 

#PROUDLYMISA #MISALEADS #MISACARES #MISAONTHEMOVE #MISAFAMILY

 

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