Can an employee use the company bakkie after hours?

Only if the vehicle policy or a manager authorises it. Unauthorised use is misconduct even without damage.

Who pays for damage in an accident?

Negligent damage may ground discipline, but recovery of costs from wages requires written agreement or legal process.

Misconduct · Charge Sheet Template

Unauthorised Use or Misuse of Company Vehicle / Bakkie Charge Sheet & Hearing Pack

Charge sheet for unauthorised use, misuse or negligent driving of a company vehicle or bakkie, including after-hours use and accidents.

UNPAID DRAFT PREVIEW — Please unlock your dossier at ComplyDossier.com to generate the official printable A4 documents and ECTA audit certificate.

9%CCMA readiness

Step 1 · Offence & Statutory Guardrail Intake

No login needed. Your answers autosave on this device and to a secure draft.

Offence

2025 Code Offence Guide & Sanction Rule — Unauthorised Use or Misuse of Company Vehicle / Bakkie

What must be proven: Confirm the vehicle policy and that the employee knew it; Establish who authorised (or did not authorise) the trip.

First-offence guideline: Sanction depends on harm caused: unauthorised after-hours use with no damage usually attracts a written warning; an accident caused by negligence or unauthorised passengers may justify a final warning or stronger. Check the vehicle policy was communicated.

Recommended action mode: Direct Warning Pack — corrective discipline is usually appropriate for a first offence; escalate to a hearing for repeat or serious cases.

Example wording: It is alleged that on or about 15 January 2026, you used and/or misused a Company vehicle without authorisation, in that you as will be set out in evidence at the hearing, in breach of the Company Vehicle Policy.

Manager's raw incident notes

Or pick the closest symptom — we configure the charge, alternative and action mode:

Company nameEmployee full name13-digit SA ID numberJob titleGross monthly salary (ZAR)Engagement start date

Incident dateIncident timeLocationSupervisor / Manager name & role

Formal allegation (appears on the charge sheet)

Include Legal Alternative Charge on Charge Sheet

No automatic alternative for this offence. Do not add an unsupported allegation.

Prior warnings on file

None recorded.

Proposed hearing date & time (SAST)Hearing venueChairperson nameInitiator (employer representative)

Employee is a shift/weekend worker (allow weekend hearing times)Include Precautionary Suspension Notice (On Full Remuneration Pending Hearing — LRA s186(2)(b))

Understanding this offence: Unauthorised Use or Misuse of Company Vehicle / Bakkie

LRA 66 of 1995; Company vehicle policy; Code of Good Practice: Dismissal (Sept 2025).

Standard charge formulation

It is alleged that on or about 15 January 2026, you used and/or misused a Company vehicle without authorisation, in that you as will be set out in evidence at the hearing, in breach of the Company Vehicle Policy.

First-offence sanction guideline: Sanction depends on harm caused: unauthorised after-hours use with no damage usually attracts a written warning; an accident caused by negligence or unauthorised passengers may justify a final warning or stronger. Check the vehicle policy was communicated.

CCMA procedural fairness checklist

Confirm the vehicle policy and that the employee knew it
Establish who authorised (or did not authorise) the trip
Document any damage, fines, tracking or fuel records
Obtain the employee's explanation for the use
Consider consistency with how other drivers were treated

Guidance only — establish the facts, consider the employee's response, consistency and mitigation. No automatic sanction or guaranteed CCMA outcome.

Standard charge formulation

It is alleged that on or about [DATE], you used and/or misused a Company vehicle without authorisation, in that you [CONDUCT], in breach of the Company Vehicle Policy.

Statutory guidance

Statutory reference	LRA 66 of 1995; Company vehicle policy; Code of Good Practice: Dismissal (Sept 2025).
First-offence sanction guideline	Sanction depends on harm caused: unauthorised after-hours use with no damage usually attracts a written warning; an accident caused by negligence or unauthorised passengers may justify a final warning or stronger. Check the vehicle policy was communicated.
Category	Misconduct

CCMA procedural fairness checklist

Confirm the vehicle policy and that the employee knew it
Establish who authorised (or did not authorise) the trip
Document any damage, fines, tracking or fuel records
Obtain the employee's explanation for the use
Consider consistency with how other drivers were treated

Frequently asked questions

Can an employee use the company bakkie after hours?: Only if the vehicle policy or a manager authorises it. Unauthorised use is misconduct even without damage.
Who pays for damage in an accident?: Negligent damage may ground discipline, but recovery of costs from wages requires written agreement or legal process.