Motus has reiterated its position that restructuring incentive structures and company car benefits remains a viable alternative to retrenchments, as tensions continue between the group and the Motor Industry Staff Association (MISA).
The company insists that the process is designed to protect jobs rather than eliminate them.
SA Vehicle Retail, a division of Motus Holdings, says the re alignment process has already delivered meaningful results. Through ongoing discussions and mitigation strategies, the number of employees potentially affected has been reduced by more than 250, lowering the total from 570 to 318.
The company emphasises that the current process is separate from the retrenchment of 67 employees, which was finalised earlier. Motus says the revised offer tabled with MISA provides an alternative path that avoids compulsory job losses while addressing cost pressures within the business.
The proposal includes no reductions to basic salaries, except for senior management, who agreed to cuts of up to 30 percent from August 2025. Employees earning below R15 000 per month are excluded, while adjustments for administrative and support employees are limited to less than 20 percent of total remuneration.
Motus further highlights that potentially affected employees earn well above industry minimums. On average, these employees currently earn 160 percent above the Motor Industry Bargaining Council minimum. Should the revised offer be implemented, this would remain at approximately 125 percent above the minimum.
Meanwhile, SA Retail confirmed that MISA has filed an urgent Labour Court interdict, alleging unilateral changes to employment conditions affecting 275 employees.
Responding to this, SA Retail CEO Gideon Jansen van Rensburg stated that “there have not been any changes to conditions of employment or benefits, and all employees were paid their full salaries and incentives on the 23rd of January 2026”.
Motus says it remains open to further discussions, noting that MISA has not yet accepted the proposal or submitted alternative suggestions. The group maintains that ongoing engagement is essential to finding solutions that protect jobs and ensure long term sustainability.
