Motus, South Africa’s largest vehicle showroom, is headed for a legal showdown with its employees over plans to slash salaries by up to 30% in a big cutback on benefits. The cutback plan arose after Motus was caught napping while Chinese brands won significant market share. South Africa’s leading non-manufacturing vehicle group with more than 300 dealerships, Motus has already let go of nearly 100 workers.
The Motor Industry Staff Association (Misa), the largest union in the sector, has now declared a dispute with the JSE-listed Motus, trying to block the company’s plans toimplement benefit and salary cutsof up to 30%, affecting 532 employees. Some of the other changes Motus aims to implement are doing away with the entitlement to receive incentives and commission. Misa CEO Martlé Keyter said the union is preparing an application to approach the Johannesburg high court for an interim interdict against Motus from implementing the cost-cutting measures.
“Misa’s members did not agree to any of the salary or benefit cuts. They were not given an alternative option. Misa confirmed that Motus Retail cannot unilaterally implement cuts to existing conditions of employment,” said Keyter.
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“Misa will continue to address the reasonableness and fairness of Motus Retail’s decisions and to support affected members and to pursue all lawful avenues to protect their interests during this challenging transition.” Motus paid R10bn to its workforce in salaries and incentives in the year ended June 2025, according to its latest annual report. In the report, the group said it was paying competitive salaries to its employees. “Our employees are crucial to our success, and their remuneration, particularly TGP [total guaranteed pay], contributes significantly to our operating costs. Our salaried employees are competitively remunerated to ensure that Motus remains able to attract and retain the skills we need to deliver on our strategy.” Motus Group CEO Ockert Janse van Rensburg was paid R35.5m in the 2025 financial year.
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