PRETORIA -  She had approached the courts to get an interpretation on her employment contract, she told reporters in Pretoria.

"I look at things from a legal point of view. If one wants clarity with regards to interpretation of a contract, you are entitled to go to court to get that clarity," Mohlala-Mulaudzi said.

"Employees take employers to the CCMA (Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration) all the time. That does not mean the relationship has broken down, otherwise the CCMA would never reinstate those employees."

She said she wanted her contract, which expired on September 3, to be renewed for a further five years.

Mohlala-Mulaudzi approached the courts after Davies sent her a letter on May 21, notifying her of his intention not to renew her contract.

In June, the Johannesburg Labour Court dismissed her application to interdict Davies from terminating her contract.

Judge HS Cele said Davies had complied with the government's labour procedure, and it was inappropriate for Mohlala-Mulaudzi to complain before a new candidate had been appointed.

On Wednesday, the commissioner said taking the legal route was a last resort, following failed bids to engage Davies.

"The court process has really been my last port of call. I have attempted on many occasions to [set up] meetings, to get an audience to resolve this matter, but it is also important for me to protect my rights."

Mohlala-Mulaudzi joined the department's consumer commission in 2010 as part of a settlement brokered by the department of public service and administration.

The deal followed a breakdown in the relationship between Mohlala-Mulaudzi and former communications minister Siphiwe Nyanda. The former was fired from her position as director-general in Nyanda's department.

Mohlala-Mulaudzi urged Davies to extend her employment contract.

"I have the constitutional right to make sure that my contract of employment is applied correctly. That is what I am doing."

The gains in the country's labour laws had been hard-won, she said.

She had worked tirelessly and excelled since her appointment at the helm of the consumer rights watchdog, which was established in terms of the Consumer Protection Act of 2008, she said.

"I have gone beyond my call of duty. In fact, myself and the (consumer commission) team have made sure consumers are better off."

Since its establishment 18 months ago, the commission had resolved over 94,000 cases lodged by aggrieved consumers, Mohlala-Mulaudzi said.

A lack of adequate financial and human resources was the major hurdle to delivering on her mandate.

"I think we have done a very good job under the circumstances. We have had very limited resources, financial and otherwise."

She listed the commission's successes. Some consumers who had been helped by the consumer watchdog were at Thursday's briefing.