Mediclinic HR Manager Fired After Obsessed Behaviour Toward Ex-Girlfriend Receptionist

A workplace romance gone wrong at Mediclinic Nelspruit has ended in dismissal, legal drama, and warnings about power abuse in corporate settings.

Charles Thamsanqa Shiba, an HR Business Partner at the private hospital in Mpumalanga, was fired for harassing his ex-girlfriend, a receptionist known as NK, after their relationship ended in late 2020.

From romance to restraining order

Following their breakup, NK made it clear she wanted nothing more to do with Shiba. But instead of moving on, he allegedly bombarded her with calls, texts, and uninvited home visits. In January 2021, NK secured a protection order, but Shiba kept reaching out, claiming it was “work-related”.

Even after being explicitly warned by Mediclinic management to stop, Shiba continued his obsessive pursuit. He bypassed the cellphone block by calling her work landline and once confronted her at the reception desk, despite clear legal and professional boundaries.

His actions were viewed as abuse of his HR position and created a hostile work environment for NK and her colleagues.

Internal probe and dismissal

Mediclinic launched an internal investigation led by Carmen Savva after multiple staff members reported Shiba’s behaviour. Witnesses, including senior management and HR colleagues, described a pattern of intimidation and manipulation by Shiba.

During one incident, he phoned reception asking to speak to NK. When told she was busy, he showed up in person, prompting NK to become visibly distressed. This led to her being moved to night shifts to avoid further encounters.

Shiba’s conduct was labelled unprofessional, unacceptable, and a risk to Mediclinic’s reputation, resulting in his dismissal for misconduct.

CCMA reinstates him, but Mediclinic fights back

Shiba challenged his dismissal at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), which controversially ruled in his favour, ordering his reinstatement.

However, Mediclinic escalated the matter to the Labour Court in Johannesburg, where the testimony of five witnesses was thoroughly examined.

The court agreed that Shiba had violated the protection order, ignored management directives, and misused his authority. The judge overturned the CCMA ruling, upholding Mediclinic’s original decision to terminate him.

A cautionary tale about boundaries and abuse of power

This case serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of workplace harassment and the importance of maintaining professional boundaries, especially in environments involving power imbalances.

Mediclinic has not commented further but reaffirmed its commitment to creating a safe and respectful workplace for all employees.

If you or someone you know is experiencing workplace harassment, you can contact the CCMA or seek help through legal aid services.

{Source: IOL}

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