29-Year-Old Woman Dies In Office Washroom After 'Sick Leave Denied', Company Rejects Charge

Johannesburg: A 29-year-old woman tragically passed away at her office in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Saturday, allegedly after she was repeatedly denied sick leave by her manager. Gcina Dhladhla was found dead in a toilet cubicle at her office in Rosebank.

Gcina Dhladhla, who worked as a call centre agent at Cartrack, reportedly felt dizzy and nauseous after reaching office on the fateful day. As per reports, she was accompanied by her manager to the washroom, where she locked herself inside a cubicle. 

Later, when her manager returned to check on her, there was no response from the cubicle. 

Following Dhladhla's untimely demise, protests broke out in South Africa, with people demanding the company to take responsibility and seeking answers regarding the circumstances surrounding her death.

Local reports claim that the woman has been feeling exhausted and unwell, yet her repeated leave requests had been denied by the company.

Her aunt said, "Gcina was exhausted and emotionally drained. There was no motivation. She was working long hours, including weekends, without adequate rest. She would go to work even when she had a headache.”

Company Condoles Death, Rejects Allegation

Cartrack released an official statement to condole Dhladhla's death and deny the allegation that she had been denied sick leave.

The company claimed that the “medical emergency was sudden and unexpected”, adding that the firm provided “immediate assistance from highly trained on-site first responders" once the seriousness of the situation became apparent.

Further, the company claimed that sick leave has never been denied to anyone. “Our colleague had taken sick leave on Monday, 1 June, and upon her return provided a sick note issued by a dentist which was accepted by us. During the week, our colleague also raised sensitive, private and personal challenges affecting her outside of the workplace, those matters were treated with sensitivity and confidentiality by her manager,” it added.

The company stated that it remains fully committed to a thorough and transparent investigation.

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