IN CONVERSATION WITH SUPRISE MANGAIYI
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A young cashier’s proud moment of purchasing her first car quickly turned into a nightmare after her employer demanded access to her personal bank records, sparking outrage over employee privacy rights in South Africa.
Eza Limelintaka, 28, who works at a Shell garage in Maitland, Cape Town, says she spent nine months saving and applied for a bank loan to finally buy a second-hand car. But what should have been a celebration of financial independence ended with her job security on the line.
“Instead of being congratulated, I was interrogated,” she told News24.
According to Limelintaka, her employer questioned how she could afford a vehicle on her salary and then insisted on seeing her bank statements. She says she felt pressured into complying — and was shocked when her employer emailed the documents to himself.
Even after confirming there was nothing suspicious in her accounts, her employer reportedly said he no longer trusted her. He then gave her an ultimatum: either resign or accept reassignment as a petrol attendant, a demotion she refused.
“I was employed as a cashier — not to pump petrol. I didn’t do anything wrong,” she said.
She was sent home without a formal dismissal, allegedly told to "think about her options." Her till access was revoked and her regular duties halted.
Eza Limelintaka, 28, who works at a Shell garage in Maitland, Cape Town, says she spent nine months saving and applied for a bank loan to finally buy a second-hand car. But what should have been a celebration of financial independence ended with her job security on the line.
“Instead of being congratulated, I was interrogated,” she told News24.
According to Limelintaka, her employer questioned how she could afford a vehicle on her salary and then insisted on seeing her bank statements. She says she felt pressured into complying — and was shocked when her employer emailed the documents to himself.
Even after confirming there was nothing suspicious in her accounts, her employer reportedly said he no longer trusted her. He then gave her an ultimatum: either resign or accept reassignment as a petrol attendant, a demotion she refused.
“I was employed as a cashier — not to pump petrol. I didn’t do anything wrong,” she said.
She was sent home without a formal dismissal, allegedly told to "think about her options." Her till access was revoked and her regular duties halted.