Thato Maruapula

Associate

Thato Maruapula is an Associate in our Employment Law Practice. Thato specialises in both contentious and non-contentious employment law matters and has experience in advising both local and international clients across multiple sectors in various disputes ranging from unfair dismissal disputes, restraints of trade (restrictive covenants) and retrenchments. Thato further has experience in commercial due diligence investigations with a focus on the target entity’s employment contracts, policies and employment equity practices.

+27 (0)11 562 1774

thato.maruapula@cdhlegal.comJohannesburg

Thato Maruapula

About Thato

Thato started his career at CDH as a vacation student in 2017 and thereafter joined the firm as a Candidate Attorney in 2020. Thato was retained as an Associate in the Employment Law practice in 2022. Thato joined Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs for a short while before returning to CDH in 2024.

Areas of expertise

Experience

Assisting clients with disciplinary, poor performance and incapacity hearings.
Urgent applications in the Labour Court to interdict a violent strike.
Assisting a mining company with an inquiry in terms of section 65(1) of the Mine Health and Safety Act 29 of 1996 following a fatality at a mine.
Assisting clients with bribery, misconduct and sexual harassment investigations.
Assisting professional bodies with prosecuting professional misconduct cases in the financial sector.

Credentials

Education

LLB, University of Pretoria (2019)
Year of Admission: 2022
Admitted as a Notary: 2023
Registered with the Legal Practice Council

Memberships

Legal Practice Council
South African Society for Labour Law (SASLAW)
International Bar Association

LANGUAGES

English

News

Is your link with your employer a permanent one? Addressing the question of off-duty misconduct

Is your link with your employer a permanent one? Addressing the question of off-duty misconduct

The judgment in IMATU obo Sauls v City of Cape Town and others (C485/2024) ZALCCT 10 (22 January 2026) outlined that off-duty misconduct does not automatically justify disciplinary...

Understanding and managing differences in generations, culture, and gender in the workplace

Understanding and managing differences in generations, culture, and gender in the workplace

Following a dynamic and engaging panel discussion on the topic - and valuable feedback received at the recent Employment Law Conference - our team has taken a closer look at generational...

The submission of sick notes during an internal disciplinary hearing in Namibia

The submission of sick notes during an internal disciplinary hearing in Namibia

The Supreme Court of Namibia delivered a judgment on whether the submission of a sick note by an employee during an internal disciplinary hearing will result in the postponement of...

Webinar Recording | Safe spaces for teaching: Legal protections for educators in the workplace

Webinar Recording | Safe spaces for teaching: Legal protections for educators in the workplace

Every educator has the right to work in an environment free from violence, harassment, and discrimination. Research shows that educator-targeted bullying and misconduct can erode trust between...

Enforceability of clawback clauses in employment contracts

Enforceability of clawback clauses in employment contracts

On 19 August 2025, the Johannesburg High Court delivered judgment on the enforceability of a clawback clause. This is a contractual term that makes provision for a company to recover...

The impact of mergers and acquisitions on a designated employer’s employment equity plans

Corporate Debt, Turnaround & Restructuring

The impact of mergers and acquisitions on a designated employer’s employment equity plans

The amendments to the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 (EEA) took effect from 1 January 2025. The amendments to the EEA introduce a number of key changes, including the introduction...

Can a mental health diagnosis shield an employee from being dismissed for poor performance despite reasonable accommodation by an employer?

Can a mental health diagnosis shield an employee from being dismissed for poor performance despite reasonable accommodation by an employer?

The Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 (LRA), read with the Code of Good Practice: Dismissals (Code) recognises three grounds of dismissal, namely (i) misconduct, (ii) incapacity (in...

Determining the forum: The jurisdictional boundaries of courts in employment disputes

Determining the forum: The jurisdictional boundaries of courts in employment disputes

The appellant is Dario Investments, which carries on business in the food retail sector and owns and operates Tembisa Super Spar. The respondents were former employees of the appellant...

Dealing with discrimination based on language, culture and bias in the workplace

Dealing with discrimination based on language, culture and bias in the workplace

A decision by the Labour Court of South Africa dealt with the consequences of workplace discrimination and harassment. The court found the Gauteng Department of Education (Department) liable...

Unfair discrimination in the workplace: Not everything that is bad, inexplicable or irrational will meet the criteria for unfair discrimination

Unfair discrimination in the workplace: Not everything that is bad, inexplicable or irrational will meet the criteria for unfair discrimination

The Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 (EEA) prohibits unfair discrimination in the workplace.

Does being (falsely) accused of racism amount to unfair discrimination?

Does being (falsely) accused of racism amount to unfair discrimination?

Section 6 of the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 (EEA) prohibits unfair discrimination and provides that harassment of an employee is a form of unfair discrimination.

Keeping up with the deponents: Can an affidavit be commissioned virtually?

Keeping up with the deponents: Can an affidavit be commissioned virtually?

The Justices of the Peace and Commissioners of Oaths Act 16 of 1963 (Act), read alongside the Regulations Governing the Administration of Oaths (Regulations) promulgated in terms of...

Webinar Recording | Developments in Education Law and impact on private schooling

Education & Training

Webinar Recording | Developments in Education Law and impact on private schooling

Watch the recording of our expert panel who explored the impacts of recent legislation, including the Basic Education LawsAmendmentAct.

Costly Negligence in the Workplace: A Landmark Judgment.

Costly Negligence in the Workplace: A Landmark Judgment.

Thato Maruapula, Associate in the Employment Law practice joined Nosipho Radebe on Power FM to discuss Costly Negligence in the Workplace: A Landmark Judgment.

The dangers of social media use in the workplace

The dangers of social media use in the workplace

Advancements in technological gadgets such as smart phones and laptops, as well as the recent breakthroughs made in artificial intelligence, have undoubtedly made our lives easier...

Webinar Recording | Drugs, alcohol, and the workplace

Webinar Recording | Drugs, alcohol, and the workplace

An employer must maintain a safe and healthy working environment. Watch our webinar for insights.

Take care before you share: The dangers of social media use in the workplace

Take care before you share: The dangers of social media use in the workplace

Advancements in technological gadgets such as smart phones and laptops, as well as the recent breakthroughs made with artificial intelligence, have undoubtedly made our lives easier...

The abuse of business rescue proceedings in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic: A debtor’s paradise?

The abuse of business rescue proceedings in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic: A debtor’s paradise?

Essentially, business rescue offers a rehabilitation process to companies in financial distress. At its best, business rescue creates a much-needed “ win-win ” solution for all the...

All articles by Thato

The submission of sick notes during an internal disciplinary hearing in Namibia

The submission of sick notes during an internal disciplinary hearing in Namibia

The Supreme Court of Namibia delivered a judgment on whether the submission of a sick note by an employee during an internal disciplinary hearing will result in the postponement of...

Enforceability of clawback clauses in employment contracts

Enforceability of clawback clauses in employment contracts

On 19 August 2025, the Johannesburg High Court delivered judgment on the enforceability of a clawback clause. This is a contractual term that makes provision for a company to recover...

The impact of mergers and acquisitions on a designated employer’s employment equity plans

Corporate Debt, Turnaround & Restructuring

The impact of mergers and acquisitions on a designated employer’s employment equity plans

The amendments to the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 (EEA) took effect from 1 January 2025. The amendments to the EEA introduce a number of key changes, including the introduction...

Determining the forum: The jurisdictional boundaries of courts in employment disputes

Determining the forum: The jurisdictional boundaries of courts in employment disputes

The appellant is Dario Investments, which carries on business in the food retail sector and owns and operates Tembisa Super Spar. The respondents were former employees of the appellant...

Dealing with discrimination based on language, culture and bias in the workplace

Dealing with discrimination based on language, culture and bias in the workplace

A decision by the Labour Court of South Africa dealt with the consequences of workplace discrimination and harassment. The court found the Gauteng Department of Education (Department) liable...

Does being (falsely) accused of racism amount to unfair discrimination?

Does being (falsely) accused of racism amount to unfair discrimination?

Section 6 of the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 (EEA) prohibits unfair discrimination and provides that harassment of an employee is a form of unfair discrimination.

Keeping up with the deponents: Can an affidavit be commissioned virtually?

Keeping up with the deponents: Can an affidavit be commissioned virtually?

The Justices of the Peace and Commissioners of Oaths Act 16 of 1963 (Act), read alongside the Regulations Governing the Administration of Oaths (Regulations) promulgated in terms of...

Take care before you share: The dangers of social media use in the workplace

Take care before you share: The dangers of social media use in the workplace

Advancements in technological gadgets such as smart phones and laptops, as well as the recent breakthroughs made with artificial intelligence, have undoubtedly made our lives easier...

The abuse of business rescue proceedings in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic: A debtor’s paradise?

The abuse of business rescue proceedings in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic: A debtor’s paradise?

Essentially, business rescue offers a rehabilitation process to companies in financial distress. At its best, business rescue creates a much-needed “ win-win ” solution for all the...

All articles by Thato

Webinar Recording | Safe spaces for teaching: Legal protections for educators in the workplace

Webinar Recording | Safe spaces for teaching: Legal protections for educators in the workplace

Every educator has the right to work in an environment free from violence, harassment, and discrimination. Research shows that educator-targeted bullying and misconduct can erode trust between...

Webinar Recording | Developments in Education Law and impact on private schooling

Education & Training

Webinar Recording | Developments in Education Law and impact on private schooling

Watch the recording of our expert panel who explored the impacts of recent legislation, including the Basic Education LawsAmendmentAct.

Webinar Recording | Drugs, alcohol, and the workplace

Webinar Recording | Drugs, alcohol, and the workplace

An employer must maintain a safe and healthy working environment. Watch our webinar for insights.

All videos by Thato

Is your link with your employer a permanent one? Addressing the question of off-duty misconduct

Is your link with your employer a permanent one? Addressing the question of off-duty misconduct

The judgment in IMATU obo Sauls v City of Cape Town and others (C485/2024) ZALCCT 10 (22 January 2026) outlined that off-duty misconduct does not automatically justify disciplinary...

Understanding and managing differences in generations, culture, and gender in the workplace

Understanding and managing differences in generations, culture, and gender in the workplace

Following a dynamic and engaging panel discussion on the topic - and valuable feedback received at the recent Employment Law Conference - our team has taken a closer look at generational...

Can a mental health diagnosis shield an employee from being dismissed for poor performance despite reasonable accommodation by an employer?

Can a mental health diagnosis shield an employee from being dismissed for poor performance despite reasonable accommodation by an employer?

The Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 (LRA), read with the Code of Good Practice: Dismissals (Code) recognises three grounds of dismissal, namely (i) misconduct, (ii) incapacity (in...

Unfair discrimination in the workplace: Not everything that is bad, inexplicable or irrational will meet the criteria for unfair discrimination

Unfair discrimination in the workplace: Not everything that is bad, inexplicable or irrational will meet the criteria for unfair discrimination

The Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 (EEA) prohibits unfair discrimination in the workplace.

Costly Negligence in the Workplace: A Landmark Judgment.

Costly Negligence in the Workplace: A Landmark Judgment.

Thato Maruapula, Associate in the Employment Law practice joined Nosipho Radebe on Power FM to discuss Costly Negligence in the Workplace: A Landmark Judgment.

The dangers of social media use in the workplace

The dangers of social media use in the workplace

Advancements in technological gadgets such as smart phones and laptops, as well as the recent breakthroughs made in artificial intelligence, have undoubtedly made our lives easier...

All podcasts by Thato

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