Old Mutual on Tuesday apologised for any confusion and hurt caused by the arguments used by its counsel in the Labour Court racism case brought by a company employee, Xolile Finca.
Finca, who is asking for a declaratory order and R100 000 in damages, claims Old Mutual did not act properly against another employee who allegedly referred to him as a ”kaffir”.
Tuesday’s statement was the second Old Mutual has issued since November 3, when judgement was reserved, in a bid to clarify its position on racism in the workplace.
In the statement, managing director Roddy Sparks said Old Mutual’s legal team had argued in court that in terms of the Employment Equity Act, the company was not liable for the unauthorised acts of individual employees.
”While we continue to hold this view, we understand that the argument as presented by the lawyers has resulted in serious misunderstanding of Old Mutual’s position on racism.
”Old Mutual apologises unreservedly for any impression created that it might condone the use of racist language, and for the hurt arising from this impression. Old Mutual is implacably opposed to racism in any form.” – Sapa