Cape Times reports that according to the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), events that led to its Department of Tourism and Events Management head, Snyman Ohlhoff, taking his own life cannot be discussed in public.  

Ohlhoff was embroiled in an ongoing labour dispute with the institution, as conformed by CPUT spokesperson Lauren Kansley.  The Federation of Unions of SA (Fedusa) this week requested Higher Education and Training Minister, Naledi Pandor, to urgently look into the debacle, which the federation believes drove Ohlhoff to ending his life.  Fedusa spokesperson Frank Nxumalo indicated that CPUT management refused to meet the leadership of the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU), which is a Fedusa affiliate.  He said NTEU wanted to understand what had led to its member perceiving no other solution to his dispute with the institution but to end his own life.  Fedusa observed in a statement:  “CPUT continued to keep Ohlhoff under suspension for the past eight months blatantly disregarding the fact that it was referred to the CCMA for arbitration.  He wanted to find resolution and on October 3 he settled the dispute with his employer, hoping for a speedier resolution.”

• Read the full original report by Okuhle Hlati at Cape Times

Read Fedusa’s press statement at SA Labour News

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page