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Man cries foul after 'dismissal'

Tebogo Monama

Tebogo Monama

For 11 years Israel Seiso had dedicated his life to his work at Swiss Re in Illovo, Johannesburg. For the past five years he was head of logistics.

But now, Seiso, 45, a father of four from Orlando West, Soweto, has lodged a case of unfair dismissal against the insurance company with the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) after he was informed that duties for his position would change.

Seiso said he was informed that if he wanted the "new" job he had to reapply.

He did, but the job was given to Collin Lotz.

Lotz was a personal assistant to Willem Castelyn, Seiso's boss.

After failing to retain his position, he was informed that he could get an alternative position in the company.

"I refuse to be demoted. If the company wanted me here, they would have reskilled me," Seiso said.

Seiso said he wanted to see the case before the CCMA settled before deciding what to do.

He added that the company had asked him to reconsider proceeding with his case at the CCMA.

Asked to comment on Seiso's case, Tim Dickenson, director of communications and human resources at Swiss Re, said: "While we do not comment on individual cases, globally we have a strict code of conduct stating Swiss Re's commitment to providing a work environment of equal opportunity, free from all forms of discrimination."

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