News24 | ‘How did you afford a car?’: Cashier’s joy becomes nightmare after boss demands bank records

After nine months of diligently saving and securing a bank loan, 28-year-old Eza Limelintaka bought herself a second-hand car.

• A Maitland petrol station cashier was told to resign or work as a petrol attendant after her boss questioned how she could afford a car on her salary.
• The woman says her boss demanded to see her bank statements and emailed them to himself.
• The National Insourced Workers Union says forcing an employee to resign over a personal purchase is illegal and requested formal documentation from the employer.

What was meant to be a moment of celebration quickly became a distressing ordeal for 28-year-old Eza Limelintaka, a cashier at Shell Garage in Maitland, Cape Town.

After nine months of diligently saving and securing a bank loan, she proudly bought a second-hand vehicle.

But instead of congratulations, her boss at the petrol station, run by Berkley Motors, allegedly became suspicious.

“He asked how I could afford a car on my salary and demanded access to my bank account,” Limelintaka told News24.

“He then emailed my bank statements to himself. I stood there watching him go through my finances. He found nothing suspicious but still said he no longer trusted me.”

She said when she asked whether any money was missing from the business or if she was suspected of theft, her employer said no but claimed he was “uncomfortable” with her continuing in her cashier role.

According to Limelintaka, he then gave her an ultimatum: work outside as a petrol attendant or resign.

“I refused. I was hired as a cashier and have done nothing wrong,” she said.

Limelintaka was then told to go home and “consider her options”.

She said her till was closed, and her work halted.

READ | Man hits petrol attendants with allegedly stolen car while fleeing after card transaction declines

“I had hoped the car would help me run a side hustle and keep working. Now it feels like I’m being punished for trying to improve my life.”

The National Insourced Workers Union has taken up her case.

Siviwe Shiyeni’s representative said the union contacted her employer and requested documents, including her employment contract and duty roster.

“They’re trying to force her to resign under duress, which is unlawful,” added Shiyeni. “We have advised her to report for duty. If the employer intends to change her role, they must put it in writing.”

In response to queries from News24, Berkley Motors denied any wrongdoing.

“Nothing was done without consent, and discussions are ongoing. She has left out many facts that were stated. Nobody was accused of anything, and she has not been fired,” it said.

“Now that she has falsely accused the company of improper procedures, due diligence can be followed accordingly.”

When asked what prompted the investigation into Limelintaka’s finances, Berkley Motors declined to answer, citing the issue as an internal matter.

Limelintaka said when she returned to work on Monday, her employer told her she had the right to refuse him access to her bank account and claimed he had received a “tip-off” that she was planning to steal from the company.

He then offered her two weeks of paid leave while the police investigated the alleged tip-off.

Limelintaka declined the leave offer and requested that all communication and decisions be formally documented.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect higher up in the copy who runs the petrol station.