Understanding the Efficiency and Effectiveness of the Dispute Resolution System in South Africa - An Analysis of CCMA Data

Oct 3, 2026

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The report examines how efficiently and effectively South Africa’s dispute resolution system operates, using Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) data. It reviews the post-apartheid structure of dispute resolution, summarizes referral patterns and institutional roles, and quantifies turnaround times across key stages such as referral to activation and conciliation/arbitration to end dates. It then analyzes determinants of variations in turnaround times and concludes with findings and policy recommendations to guide improvements.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages77

Reading Time3 h 14 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

The Dispute Resolution System in Post Apartheid South Africa

The Structure of Dispute Resolution in South Africa

Dispute Resolution Institutions

Data Overview

Overall Trends and Patterns of Dispute Referrals

Measuring the Efficiency of the CCMA

Efficiency and Dispute Resolution Processes

Internal and Statutory Measures of CCMA Efficiency

A Descriptive Overview of Turnaround Times

Determinants of Variation in Turnaround Times

Conclusions and Policy Recommendations

References

Technical Appendix

Additional Graphs and Tables

A Note on CCMA Jurisdiction

Proposals for Data Improvements

A Note on the Number of Hearings

Understanding the Efficiency and Effectiveness of the Dispute Resolution System in South Africa: An Analysis of CCMA Data Haroon Bhorat Kalie Pauw Liberty Mncube September 2007 Acknowledgements We would like to thank the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) for access to their data. We are grateful to Nersan Govender, Anthea Edwards for technical support in accessing the data. We learnt a great deal from Nerine Kahn, Jeremy Daphne, Afzul Soobedaar, Nersan Govender, Sabata Nakanyane and Kagiso Moleme who took part in a roundtable discussion of an earlier draft. Thanks to Martin Wittenberg, Halton Cheadle and Paul Benjamin for their helpful comments. We have also benefited from a SALDRU seminar presentation at the University of Cape Town. Table of Contents 1. Introduction..................................................................................................................... 1 2. The Dispute Resolution System in Post Apartheid South Africa...............................2 2.1. The Structure of Dispute Resolution in South Africa ......................................................... 3 2.2. Dispute Resolution Institutions .......................................................................................... 5 3. Data Overview.................................................................................................................9 3.1. Overall Trends and Patterns of Dispute Referrals........................................................... 12 4. Measuring the Efficiency of the CCMA.......................................................................20 4.1. Efficiency and Dispute Resolution Processes ................................................................. 20 4.2. Internal and Statutory Measures of CCMA Efficiency ..................................................... 23 4.3. A Descriptive Overview of Turnaround Times ................................................................. 27 4.3.1. Referral to Activation Date ...................................................................................... 27 4.3.2. Conciliation and Arbitration Turnaround Times to End Date .................................. 30 4.4. Determinants of Variation in Turnaround Times.............................................................. 39 4.4.1. Estimation Approach ............................................................................................... 39 4.4.2. Estimation Results .................................................................................................. 41 4.4.3. Concluding Remarks ............................................................................................... 49 5. Conclusions and Policy Recommendations..............................................................50 6. References ....................................................................................................................53 7. Technical Appendix......................................................................................................56 7.1. Additional Graphs and Tables ......................................................................................... 56 7.2. A Note on CCMA Jurisdiction .......................................................................................... 65 7.3. Proposals for Data Improvements ................................................................................... 68 7.3.1. Summary of Benjamin and Gruen’s Data Proposals .............................................. 69 7.3.2. Types of Unfair Dismissal or Unfair Labour Practice Cases .................................. 70 7.3.3. ‘Other’ Dispute Types and Jurisdictional Information ............................................. 71 7.4. A Note on the Number of Hearings ................................................................................. 72 List of Figures Figure 1: The Structure of Disp

FAQs

What dispute resolution system does the report focus on in post-apartheid South Africa?

The report focuses on the CCMA-centered dispute resolution system and its structure in post-apartheid South Africa, including the roles of dispute resolution institutions.

How does the report measure CCMA efficiency?

CCMA efficiency is assessed through efficiency-related dispute resolution processes and internal and statutory measures, with special attention to turnaround times across defined stages.

What explains variations in turnaround times?

The report uses an estimation approach to analyze determinants of variation in turnaround times, followed by presentation of estimation results and concluding remarks.

Oct 3, 2026

Upload by dhado