Bhekithemba Mbatha
Biography
Bhekithemba Mbatha is an associate in Baker McKenzie's Employment & Compensation Practice Group in Johannesburg.
He advises local and multinational clients on various aspects of employment law and employee relations. He represents clients in contentious matters, and appears in the employment tribunal (Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration), various bargaining councils and the Labour Court. He also chairs disciplinary hearings and forms part of the team's project to streamline pre-dismissal processes for employers.
Bhekithemba also provides media commentary on employment law developments and topical aspects. Past highlights include participating in a television panel discussion on the decriminalisation of sex work in South Africa, addressing various legal matters on student radio Voice of Wits FM, and appearances on YFM, Jozi FM, and Capricorn FM.
Representative Legal Matters
- Drafting policies on the recruitment of senior employees, and maternity and paternity in respect of same-sex partners. *
- Advising on the prescribed duration for precautionary suspensions in terms of the provisions of the Public Service Act. *
- Conducting and participating in fraud investigations. *
- Advising international clients on restructuring and reduction in force under South African law and best practice. *
- Participating in the annual Komatsu Stakeholder Engagement panel on advising on conducting disciplinary hearings in South Africa. *
* Experience obtained prior to joining Baker McKenzie
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Law Society of South Africa
- The South African Society for Labour Law (SASLAW)
Admissions
- South Africa (2023)
Education
- University of the Witwatersrand (LLB) (2019)
- University of the Witwatersrand (BA) (2016)
Languages
- English