Domestic worker jailed and fired after burglaries
Having spent half of her life serving her employers, this out-of-work domestic worker says she remains guilty until proven innocent.
GLENVISTA – After working for a Glenvista family for 24 years, Gertrude Skhosana said that it is with disbelief that she finds herself without a job.
Skhosana was fired by her employers after they started suspecting that she may have had a hand in two house robbery incidents at the family’s home, where the 44-year-old says she spent her life helping her employers to raise their children.
According to an IOL report, Skhosana was twice at the mercy of armed gunmen, who had targeted the home where she worked. During the first incident Gertrude was held up with a gun and forced into a wardrobe by the robbers, who demanded information about the safe after they managed to gain entry.
The second incident took place in December. Skhosana was tied up and locked in the bathroom after she was held at gunpoint at the gate and forced to open it.
When her employers finally came home she was found scared and tied up. Mondeor police officers were called and the domestic worker was questioned. Her room was searched and Gertrude Skhosana was taken in for questioning at the police station.
Police reports were made by Skhosana both times. After the first robbery incident she was told that she would be called for an identity parade, which did not happen.
“A case of house robbery was opened against me,” said the distressed domestic worker, who was taken to Sophiatown police station and kept there for three days. She was released through the intervention of her family, who hired a lawyer. The case was later dropped.
Then her employers informed Skhosana that her services were no longer needed, allegedly without the lawful one month notice or a written letter.
According to IOL, Skhosana has since opened a case with the CCMA, however her employers failed to appear for a date set by the court. The case is still pending.
