Cop 'wanted to be promoted'

2009-11-18 14:36

Johannesburg - A police captain who claims she was twice overlooked for a senior position because she is white has started giving evidence in the Labour Court.

As an officer with 20-years experience, Renate Barnard told the court on Wednesday she felt she was equipped to fill the more senior position.

The position was in a unit which deals with complaints by members of the public who feel investigating officers are not giving their cases attention.

Having applied for the job on two occasions, Barnard was turned down because her appointment would not have helped the police achieve its employment equity goals.

"I wanted to be promoted... I applied because I fitted the job description," she told the court.

"I knew I'd be able to do the job to the best of my ability because I had practical experience of what happens at the detective unit.

"I knew I would be able to make an impact with regards to what happened at ground level," she said.

She had also served as a captain for seven to eight years and felt it was time she moved into a more senior position.

Over representivity

A senior superintendent who worked in the police's career management division told the court on Monday and Tuesday that Barnard's appointment would have led to an over-representivity of white female police officers at salary level nine.

"The appointment of the candidate was not going to be in line with guidelines, provided by the Equity Act.

"White females were over-represented by five at salary level nine, so her appointment would have meant an over-representivity on that level," said Senior Superintendent Johannes Phetholo Ramothoka.

He testified that the appointment had to reflect the country's demographics.

Barnard's testimony continues.

- SAPA