Billionaire Zak Calisto's Cartrack faces scrutiny after a 29-year-old employee died at its Rosebank office

Cartrack, the vehicle tracking company founded by billionaire Zak Calisto that forms the core of his Nasdaq-listed Karooooo group, is facing significant reputational and regulatory pressure following the death of a 29-year-old employee at its Rosebank head office on June 6, 2026.

Gcina Dhladhla, a call centre employee, arrived at the Rosebank offices at approximately 08:00 on Saturday morning. At around 09:00, she told her manager she felt dizzy and nauseous. The manager accompanied her to the bathroom. She entered a cubicle and locked the door. When the manager returned and received no response, facilities staff were called to open the door. Trained first responders were simultaneously activated. Emergency medical services were called. Dhladhla died at the scene.

The circumstances of her death prompted immediate interventions from trade unions, the ANC Youth League and the Economic Freedom Fighters, all of whom alleged that Dhladhla had been pressured to attend work despite being unwell.

The Congress of South African Trade Unions issued a formal statement calling on the Department of Employment and Labour to urgently investigate the incident, including Cartrack's sick leave policies, disciplinary practices, workplace health and safety procedures and emergency response mechanisms. "These allegations raise serious concerns regarding workplace health and safety, the treatment of sick employees, and the duty of care," COSATU said.

The ANCYL's regional spokesperson, Oscar Kanyane, accused Cartrack of being synonymous with the mistreatment of young Black employees. The organisation laid a formal criminal complaint against the company at the Rosebank Police Station, accusing Cartrack of exploiting young workers. The Economic Freedom Fighters' labour desk also launched a fact-finding intervention at the Rosebank premises.

Former employees subsequently came forward to allege systemic workplace pressures within Cartrack's call centre operations, adding to the intensity of public scrutiny directed at the company.

Cartrack issued a statement defending its conduct. The company said Dhladhla's medical emergency was sudden and unexpected, that she had arrived at work with no indication she was unwell and that once the seriousness of the situation became apparent, trained on-site first responders with an Automated External Defibrillator responded immediately while emergency medical services were called.

On the sick leave allegations, the company was direct. "Sick leave has never been denied," it stated. It confirmed that Dhladhla had taken sick leave on June 1, 2026, provided a sick note issued by a dentist upon her return, and that the note was accepted. The company also confirmed that during the week, she had raised sensitive, private and personal challenges affecting her outside of the workplace, and that her manager handled those matters with sensitivity and confidentiality. A case has been opened with the South African Police Service and the matter is under investigation.

The most significant development came on Thursday, June 11, when Cartrack and the Dhladhla family released a joint statement following a meeting between the family's representatives and Cartrack management. The statement described the meeting as emotional and constructive, with questions asked, information shared and an agreement reached to support the ongoing independent investigations.

"We'd like to thank Cartrack management for their cooperation, allowing an organic first discussion that was open and transparent," said family representative Thamsanqa Mbuli. "Our intended objective of clarifying the sequence of events leading up to our beloved daughter, sister and colleague passing was achieved."

Gcina's sister Lindiwe Dhladhla said: "What happened today has given me peace."

Cartrack South Africa CEO Joshua Victor said: "We remain deeply committed to supporting the family, cooperating fully with law enforcement and the Department of Labour, and ensuring that every fact is uncovered and established through the appropriate processes."

The family extended an invitation to Dhladhla's managers and co-workers to attend her funeral. "We want Cartrack to feel welcome to attend the funeral and to show their support," said her aunt Phumzile Dhladhla.

The joint statement explicitly cautioned against prejudging the outcome of investigations. "We have not established all material facts surrounding our loss and would like support from you in allowing the processes of investigation to unfold without preempting the outcome," family representative Mbuli said.

Cartrack is the flagship operating subsidiary of Karooooo, which Calisto founded in 2001 starting with R100 and a partnership with Vodacom to deploy tracking devices without upfront infrastructure costs. The company listed on the JSE in 2014, rebranded and listed on the Nasdaq in 2021, and is now headquartered in Singapore with 2.3 million subscribers across 24 countries. For the half year ended August 31, 2025, Karooooo reported revenue of $139 million, up 20 percent, and profits of $27.6 million, up 17.2 percent. Calisto holds approximately 58 percent of Karooooo shares, a stake valued at more than $1 billion when the company was valued at $1.74 billion in October 2025, making him South Africa's eighth confirmed dollar billionaire.

The investigation into Dhladhla's death is ongoing. South Africa's Department of Employment and Labour has been asked by COSATU to make it urgent.