Prisons employee fights for promotion
2012-08-21 17:07
Cpae Town - Prison authorities refused to promote a finance clerk to senior state accountant because he is coloured, the Cape Town Labour Court heard on Tuesday.
Christo February launched an urgent application before Judge Robert le Grange to stop the correctional services department (DCS) from appointing anyone else to the post until a ruling was made in a separate action against the department for unfair discrimination.
His counsel, Greta Engelbrecht, told the court this was urgent because the DCS was in the process of advertising the post.
"My client cannot be promoted if someone else has already been appointed to the post. The reality is that he has acted in the post for four years."
No court date had been set for the unfair discrimination matter but it was expected to start in November.
In the litigation, February challenged the decision not to promote him saying it was because he was coloured.
Engelbrecht said February was the best qualified and experienced to fill the vacant post, and had acted in the position several times.
February was recommended for the post because of his experience but he was turned down because his appointment would conflict with the department's employment equity plan.
Engelbrecht quoted former president Nelson Mandela saying he and the ruling African National Congress condemned racism.
Judgement is expected on Friday.
- SAPA
