Public Safety commissioner under pressure amid bullying claims

PETRUS Roberts, Commissioner: Public Safety, Operational Coordination, also known as Robbie Roberts, faces political scrutiny and calls for accountability, following CCMA hearings which were dismissed regarding grievances made by staff of bullying, intimidation and victimisation. It is understood that he is facing a secondary hearing before the CCMA involving an independent commission of inquiry which officials have yet to confirm.

- GENEVIEVE SERRA

In a response to the Cape Argus on the CCMA matter for arbitration, the City's spokesperson, Luthando Tyhalibongo, confirmed the following: "The arbitrator dismissed the case on October 20, 2023 for want of jurisdiction with the following ruling: 'The South African Local Government Bargaining Council lacks jurisdiction to arbitrate this dispute and the interest arbitration proceedings are therefore dismissed for lack of jurisdiction.'"

When asked whether Roberts was facing an internal inquiry, the City said it had no further comments.

The latest follows an arbitration case before the South African Local Government Bargaining Council (SALGBC).According to arbitration papers furnished to the