When call centre agent Gcina Dhladhla collapsed at work, her manager at Cartrack allegedly raised concerns about who would pay for her treatment if she were to be taken to a private hospital just across the road.
This is according to Dhladhla’s aunt, Nomusa Dhladhla, who also said an ambulance was not immediately called for her dying niece. Nomusa, who was in Soweto at the time, said she called a private ambulance to go to the offices in Rosebank, Johannesburg, where the company’s first aiders were busy trying to revive her niece. However, Dhladhla did not make it. She died at work.
“I had to call an ambulance from a private hospital because the manager [at Cartrack] went to Rosebank Clinic to inquire about the costs instead of focusing on saving my niece’s life. They were worried about who was going to pay,” said Nomusa. “They [managers] told me they were waiting for an ambulance, but they did not have a reference number.
“They kept telling me that her pulse was low, but nothing was done to rush her to hospital and save her life.”
Nomusa said her niece had submitted two sick notes in the two weeks leading up to her death, citing ill health and extreme fatigue. However, she said she was instructed to continue reporting for duty, adding that Dhladhla had been given warnings after submitting the sick notes.
However, according to Lauren Human, director of corporate affairs at Cartrack, Dhladhla received immediate assistance from highly trained on-site first responders when the seriousness of her condition became apparent. “Our on-site first responders were equipped with an automatic external defibrillator, and emergency medical services were immediately called to the scene,” she said.
Family members say Dhladhla had been emotionally and physically drained for months and frequently complained
The manager went to Rosebank Clinic to inquire about the costs instead of focusing on saving my niece’s life Nomusa Dhladhla, The deceased’s aunt
about her working conditions.
According to the family, Dhladhla had repeatedly informed her employer that she was not well but was expected to continue reporting for duty.
In one of her final messages to her aunt, Dhladhla wrote: “Personally am feeling drained about Cartrack. Just that I won’t resign because I don’t have any back-up plan. Nangapha am applying akuveli lutho (I am also applying for other jobs but nothing is coming up).”
A colleague, who asked to remain anonymous, said Dhladhla was visibly distressed the day before her death.
“On Friday, she was on her knees crying, saying, ‘I’m sick, guys, and I’m still scheduled to work on Saturday despite telling them that I’m not doing well,’” the colleague said. “What makes me sad the most is that on Wednesday, around 6.30pm, our team leader called her into the office. I didn’t hear what they were discussing, but as they were talking, I saw her removing her glasses and crying.”
Her colleague believes more could have been done to assist Dhladhla.
“They [the company] contributed a lot to Gcina’s death. I know we cannot prevent death, but she didn’t deserve to die in a toilet like that. Maybe her family could have rushed her to hospital, and that could have saved her life. Or at least she could have died in the presence of her loved ones instead of alone in a toilet cubicle. Her death was not dignified.”
The colleague claimed Dhladhla continued to suffer from severe headaches and exhaustion, but felt pressured to return to work. “She was told that she was acting up and that she must stop acting and come to work.”
However, Human said Dhladhla had never been denied sick leave. “During the week, Gcina raised sensitive, private and personal challenges affecting her outside of the workplace; those matters were treated with sensitivity and confidentiality by her manager,” she said.
However, the colleague alleged that workplace pressures contributed to Dhladhla’s deteriorating condition.
“She had an opportunity to be taken to hospital had she collapsed at home. Instead, she died alone in a toilet cubicle after she was refused an opportunity to go and rest,” she said.Rosebank, Johannesburg – The sudden death of call centre agent Gcina Dhladhla at her workplace, Cartrack, has ignited a firestorm of controversy, exposing a deeply troubling narrative of alleged corporate indifference and a desperate plea for help that seemingly went unheard. While Cartrack maintains that immediate assistance was rendered, the grieving family and a distraught colleague paint a starkly different picture, raising profound questions about workplace conditions, employee welfare, and the true cost of corporate priorities. This tragedy, unfolding in the heart of Johannesburg’s bustling business district, has cast a harsh spotlight on the often-unseen pressures faced by employees and the ethical responsibilities of their employers.
The harrowing account from Gcina’s aunt, Nomusa Dhladhla, is particularly damning. Nomusa alleges that when her niece collapsed at work, a Cartrack manager’s primary concern was not Gcina’s immediate well-being, but rather the financial implications of her treatment. “I had to call an ambulance from a private hospital because the manager [at Cartrack] went to Rosebank Clinic to inquire about the costs instead of focusing on saving my niece’s life. They were worried about who was going to pay,” Nomusa recounted, her voice heavy with grief. She further claimed that an ambulance was not immediately called, and despite being told that Gcina’s pulse was low, no urgent action was taken to rush her to a hospital. “They kept telling me that her pulse was low, but nothing was done to rush her to hospital and save her life.” Gcina Dhladhla tragically died at work, alone in a toilet cubicle, a detail that has intensified the family’s anguish and public outrage.
Adding another layer of distress to this already tragic narrative, Nomusa revealed that Gcina had submitted two sick notes in the two weeks leading up to her death, citing ill health and extreme fatigue. Despite these clear indicators of deteriorating health, Gcina was allegedly instructed to continue reporting for duty. Nomusa claims her niece had even received warnings after submitting these sick notes, creating an environment where an employee felt pressured to work even when unwell. This allegation directly contradicts Cartrack’s official statement, which asserts that Gcina received immediate assistance from highly trained on-site first responders and that emergency medical services were promptly called. Lauren Human, director of corporate affairs at Cartrack, stated, “Our on-site first responders were equipped with an automatic external defibrillator, and emergency medical services were immediately called to the scene.” However, the discrepancy between the family’s account and the company’s version of events demands a thorough and transparent investigation.
Family members have consistently maintained that Gcina had been emotionally and physically drained for months, frequently complaining about her working conditions. In one of her final, poignant messages to her aunt, Gcina wrote: “Personally am feeling drained about Cartrack. Just that I won’t resign because I don’t have any back-up plan. Nangapha am applying akuveli lutho (I am also applying for other jobs but nothing is coming up).” This message paints a picture of an employee trapped by circumstances, feeling the immense pressure to remain in a job that was allegedly taking a severe toll on her health, both mental and physical. It speaks volumes about the precarious position many workers find themselves in, where the fear of unemployment outweighs the imperative to prioritise their well-being.
A colleague, who chose to remain anonymous for fear of reprisal, corroborated the family’s claims, describing Gcina’s visible distress the day before her death. “On Friday, she was on her knees crying, saying, ‘I’m sick, guys, and I’m still scheduled to work on Saturday despite telling them that I’m not doing well,’” the colleague revealed. The colleague’s account further alleges a lack of empathy from management: “What makes me sad the most is that on Wednesday, around 6.30pm, our team leader called her into the office. I didn’t hear what they were discussing, but as they were talking, I saw her removing her glasses and crying.” This eyewitness testimony suggests a pattern of neglect and a failure to adequately address an employee’s clear signs of distress.
The colleague firmly believes that more could have been done to assist Gcina, directly implicating the company in her tragic demise. “They [the company] contributed a lot to Gcina’s death. I know we cannot prevent death, but she didn’t deserve to die in a toilet like that. Maybe her family could have rushed her to hospital, and that could have saved her life. Or at least she could have died in the presence of her loved ones instead of alone in a toilet cubicle. Her death was not dignified.” The colleague further alleged that Gcina continued to suffer from severe headaches and exhaustion but felt immense pressure to return to work, claiming, “She was told that she was acting up and that she must stop acting and come to work.” These allegations, if proven true, point to a toxic workplace culture where employee well-being is secondary to productivity targets.
Cartrack’s director of corporate affairs, Lauren Human, has countered these claims, stating that Gcina Dhladhla was never denied sick leave. Human asserted, “During the week, Gcina raised sensitive, private and personal challenges affecting her outside of the workplace; those matters were treated with sensitivity and confidentiality by her manager.” This statement attempts to shift the narrative, suggesting that Gcina’s struggles were personal and external to the workplace. However, the anonymous colleague’s testimony directly challenges this, alleging that workplace pressures were a significant contributing factor to Gcina’s deteriorating condition. “She had an opportunity to be taken to hospital had she collapsed at home. Instead, she died alone in a toilet cubicle after she was refused an opportunity to go and rest,” the colleague stated, highlighting the perceived callousness of the company’s actions.
The tragic death of Gcina Dhladhla has sparked widespread public outcry, with many questioning the ethical responsibilities of employers towards their staff. The incident has resonated deeply within a society where many workers feel exploited and undervalued, often fearing job loss if they prioritise their health. This case serves as a stark reminder that while companies may have policies and procedures in place, the human element of empathy and genuine care can often be overlooked in the pursuit of profit. The allegations of a manager prioritising costs over a dying employee’s life have ignited a fierce debate about corporate accountability and the need for stronger protections for workers.
As the family grapples with their profound loss and seeks answers, the spotlight remains firmly on Cartrack. The discrepancies in the accounts demand a thorough and impartial investigation to uncover the full truth behind Gcina Dhladhla’s death. This tragedy must serve as a catalyst for change, prompting a re-evaluation of workplace practices and a renewed commitment to fostering environments where employee well-being is genuinely prioritised. The dignity of Gcina Dhladhla, and indeed all workers, demands nothing less than full transparency and accountability.
