Casino employee hits jackpot as he wins back lost job

28 June 2016 - 15:30 By Roxanne Henderson

Two men walk into a casino bar and order a round of drinks. One is a VIP gambler. The other is an off-duty employee. Which one of the two finds himself down on his luck thanks to that fateful afternoon? In 2008 it was slots manager Gerald Matlotleng Dikobe who was fired over the incident‚ leaving him without his job for eight years.But Dikobe's luck recently turned when the Labour Appeal Court in Johannesburg reversed his dismissal‚ following a legal battle with his employer Sun City‚ owned by Sun International.Sun City must now reinstate their slots manager of 17 years with back-pay from the date of his dismissal‚ August 18 2008‚ the court said.In July 2008‚ Dikobe and his VIP gambling friend walked into the Rhino bar at the Sun City Resort in Rustenburg. Dikobe is seen on surveillance footage purchasing drinks with vouchers‚ not money.The casino issues these vouchers to its VIP guests as an incentive.Dikobe was accused of having unauthorised possession of the vouchers and using it to buy drinks – apparently an infringement of a workplace rule.He argued that he had permission from his VIP friend to handle the vouchers‚ which the friend confirmed‚ and approached the Commission for Conciliation‚ Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) and the Labour Court to challenge his dismissal‚ but lost.The Labour Appeal Court this month‚ however‚ found that his dismissal was not substantively fair‚ saying the rule used to sack Dikobe was vague.Judge Roland Sutherland said it was not clear what a VIP is allowed to do with these vouchers.“Is it not a logical inference to draw that a VIP may not “use” the vouchers for that VIP's guest‚ stereotypically‚ his non-gambling girlfriend in attendance to marvel at his skills in the art of gambling.”Sutherland said Sun City failed to show why Dikobe was wrong to accept a drink from a VIP as an off-duty employee when he upheld his appeal.“Sun International respects the decision of the Labour Appeal Court and will be engaging further with Dikobe,” said Michael Farr, Group General Manager for Corporate Brand and Communications...

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.