Somizi Mhlongo’s Cleaning Firm Faces Asset Attachment After R165,000 Salary Dispute
The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) has taken decisive action against a company linked to media icon Somizi Mhlongo after it failed to pay more than R165,000 in outstanding salaries.
Company Accused of Unfair Dismissals
According to documents obtained by Sunday World, Somizi Mhlongo and Lindo Maleho are listed as directors of Search Light Pty Ltd, a cleaning services business that placed workers at Transnet’s offices in the Carlton Centre.
Former employees allege that in April 2025, they were abruptly dismissed without any prior warning or disciplinary hearings.
“We were unfairly dismissed in April this year.
We received no warning or hearing; we were simply let go. We then filed a case with the CCMA, which ruled in our favour for April, May, and June salaries,” a former staff member said.
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CCMA Issues Enforcement Award
Despite the ruling, the company has allegedly not paid any outstanding salaries. The CCMA has now escalated the matter by instructing the sheriff to attach Search Light’s movable assets to recover the debt.
An enforcement notice issued on 23 June 2025 states:
“You may attach the movable goods of the respondent. You may only take into execution the movable goods of the respondent as attached on written confirmation by CCMA. And you may then realise by public auction the sum of R165,402.62 together with interest thereon at the legal rate. You must pay the applicant the amount due to him.”
Union Welcomes the Action
Hetelicca Trade Union representative Thabiso Putswe confirmed that the workers’ union is satisfied with the CCMA’s decision:
“Somizi and his partners haven’t paid their employees. They had a valid contract with them, but they were in breach. We’re happy about the CCMA’s decision; justice is served. We’re now awaiting the CCMA’s ruling on the unfair dismissal claim.”
Further Legal Steps Pending
While the attachment order addresses the outstanding wages, the unfair dismissal claim is still under consideration by the CCMA.
The sheriff’s attachment of assets is expected to proceed once formal confirmation is received, paving the way for a public auction to recover the owed funds.