Pretoria: The National Department of Social Development has welcomed Lumka Oliphant back to her position as Chief Director in Communication following a lengthy and highly publicised labour dispute that culminated in a ruling ordering her reinstatement and payment of more than R1.5 million in back pay.

In a statement, the department said it warmly welcomed Oliphant following her reinstatement and wished her success as she resumes her responsibilities.

Her return marks the end of a year-long employment battle with the department after she was dismissed on 17 October 2025 following a controversial disciplinary process.

The Public Health and Social Development Sectoral Bargaining Council ruled in her favour on 17 October 2026, finding that her dismissal was both procedurally and substantively unfair.

Arbitrator Suria van Wyk ordered the department to reinstate Oliphant retrospectively, on the same terms and conditions of employment that applied before her dismissal, without any loss of benefits.

The department was also ordered to pay her R1,535,516.04, representing 12 months’ remuneration in back pay.

The amount is payable in two instalments of R767,758.02, with the first due by 15 November 2026 and the second by 15 December 2026.

How the dispute started

Oliphant’s troubles began in September 2025 when she was placed on precautionary suspension with full pay by then Director-General Peter Netshipale.

At the time, the department said the suspension was necessary to allow investigations into potential misconduct arising from Auditor-General findings relating to alleged financial management and administrative irregularities.

The allegations included matters relating to the Integrated Justice System programme and the National Integrated Social Protection Information System.

Her suspension also unfolded amid growing controversy surrounding former Social Development Minister Nokuzola Sisisi Tolashe’s reported R3 million trip to New York.

Oliphant was accused of leaking information concerning the minister’s trip to the media, an allegation she denied.

The relationship between Oliphant and the former minister subsequently deteriorated, with the former communications chief raising concerns about alleged irregularities within the department and the minister’s office.

Dismissal and legal fight

On 17 October 2025, Oliphant was dismissed following the disciplinary process.

The department cited several misconduct allegations, including alleged breaches of security clearance and communication policies, gross insolence or disrespect, prejudicing the administration of the department and bringing the department into disrepute.

However, Oliphant challenged the fairness of the process through the Public Health and Social Development Sectoral Bargaining Council.

Her legal representatives argued that she had not been afforded adequate time and a proper opportunity to make representations before the dismissal decision was finalised.

In May 2026, her lawyers also approached then Acting Minister of Social Development Sindisiwe Chikunga, requesting intervention and the withdrawal of statements made by the department concerning their client’s conduct.

They maintained that the disciplinary process was fundamentally flawed and that their client had been unfairly targeted.

The department, meanwhile, defended its decision, maintaining that Oliphant’s suspension and subsequent dismissal followed allegations of serious misconduct and financial management concerns.

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