The Joburg mayor’s fight against suspended City Ombudsman Adv Sduduzo Gumede, who previously told the media the mayor is “losing the plot”, was dealt a blow by the Labour Appeals Court in Braamfontein last week.

The Labour Court appeals ruled against the petition filed by Herman Mashaba against the Labour Court decision that Gumede be reinstated. After being suspended in May 2017, Gumede took the mayor to the Labour Court, which set aside the suspension.

The Citizen has previously reported how Mashaba fired a law firm, which told him he had no reasonable prospects of success if he appealed the case and opted to petition the Labour Appeals Court to grant them an opportunity to appeal the judgment.

READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE: Mashaba recycles top law firms that give legal opinion he doesn’t like

In a judgment handed down on 15 February, the Labour Appeal Court has dismissed and rejected the City’s petition. This means that the decision of the Labour Court of 15 June 2017 setting aside the suspension is hereby confirmed by the Labour Appeal Court.

“The refusal of a petition for leave to appeal signifies that this Court is of the view that the intended appeal has no reasonable prospects of success and that there is compelling reason why it should be heard.

“This Court therefore, in general terms, concurs in the reasoning of the judgment of the Labour Court,” the judgment reads.

Meanwhile, The Citizen understands that Gumede will not necessarily be returning to work despite the court ordering Mashaba to rescind the decision to fire him as he reportedly tendered his resignation to Mashaba this week. A source close to the matter claimed Gumede finally lost his nerve with the panel in his disciplinary action taken by Mashaba when they reinstated.