Labour appeals court makes affirmative action ruling

01 Feb 2016 | Admin Author

The Labour Appeal Court has ruled that the SA Police Service was justified in denying promotion to a police captain because she was white.

Judge Basheer Wagley said the court upheld the SAPS's appeal against a 2010 Labour Court ruling.

Solidarity brought the matter to court on behalf of police Captain Renate Barnard, who was refused a promotion because of affirmative action.

Solidarity deputy general secretary Dirk Hermann said Barnard twice applied for the position, and was on both occasions recommended as the most suitable candidate by the interview panel.

When this happened a third time, the matter was taken to the Labour Court, which ruled that she should be promoted.

Hermann says this morning's ruling gives them an opportunity to test this important issue in the Constitutional Court.

Picture: Solidariteit