MISA court victory as Motus reports soaring profits after retrenching employees
3 September 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MISA, the Motor Industry Staff Association, secured an important victory in the Labour Appeal Court (LAC) in its ongoing legal battle to seek justice for employees affected by the restructuring and retrenchment process at Motus, South Africa’s largest vehicle dealership group.
This comes as Motus Holdings announced its latest annual financial results reflecting strong growth and profitability, intensifying the largest Union in the retail motor industry’s dismay that 67 employees lost their jobs and others suffered reduced remuneration and benefits.
Martlé Keyter, MISA’s Chief Executive Officer: Operations, says the Union used the example of how Motus abused Section 189 of the Labour Relations Act to increase its profits to illustrate to a stakeholder task team of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic) why the South African Automotive Masterplan (SAAM) 2035 must be extended from a manufacturing‑centred plan to also include and protect every worker in the retail motor industry.
Motus Group reported profit before tax of approximately R4 billion, up 20% from R3.336 billion in 2025, after increasing its exposure to Chinese and Indian vehicle brands. Sales of these vehicles increased by more than 200% in South Africa over the past year.
MISA consistently maintained during the Section 189A consultation process that the revocation of benefits such as incentives as well as job losses could have been avoided through genuine consultation and proper consideration of alternatives. The Union repeatedly pointed to the phenomenal record vehicle sales achieved since September 2025.
“MISA finds it extremely difficult to reconcile these impressive financial results and Motus’ expansion strategy with the hardship inflicted on employees and their families,” says Tiekie Mocke, Manager of MISA’s Legal Department.
According to her the affected MISA members helped build Motus and contributed to the results of the JSE-listed company. “Motus simply made its employees expendable when the Group wanted greater profits.”
The LAC has now granted MISA leave to appeal the Labour Court judgment concerning two fundamental issues: whether Motus was entitled to bypass MISA and consult directly with its members and whether a fresh Section 189(3) notice was required before further retrenchment consultations could proceed.
MISA argued that Section 189(1) expressly identifies the appropriate consulting party and does not provide an exception allowing an employer to bypass a registered trade union representing affected employees.
The Union further argued that the issue has implications extending far beyond MISA and Motus because the Labour Court's interpretation could potentially affect registered trade unions and thousands of union members across South Africa.
“This LAC victory strengthens our resolve. MISA will not walk away from these employees. We will pursue every lawful avenue available to ensure their rights are protected and justice is ultimately served. Profitable businesses cannot celebrate growth while treating the employees who helped create that success as disposable,” Mocke says.
Issued by Sonja Carstens, Manager: Media and Communication, on behalf of MISA. For press enquiries, contact Phakamile Hlubi-Majola on 083 367 6417 or email [email protected].
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