Correctional Services affirmative action judgement correct

The Cape Town Labour court on Friday handed down judgement in the case of Department of Correctional Services' officials who instituted legal action against the Department on the grounds of unfair discrimination.

Employment equity measures are indeed a vitally important and much needed intervention to redress inequalities bestowed on our society by Apartheid's racial suppression of the majority of our people. 

The DA welcomes the judgement in as far as it points out the absurdity of the approach followed by Correctional Services in applying its affirmative action policy. 

The approach followed in implementing affirmative action policies must ensure that regional demographics are properly accounted for, as correctly pointed out by the court.

Every action should be taken to ensure that the efficiency of the organisation is not compromised, either by appointing inadequately-qualified candidates, or by leaving posts vacant because candidates that are racially suitable are not available or do not apply. 

It is evident from the judgement that the application and implementation of affirmative action by government needs urgent review and debate.

The DA trusts that all other National Departments will abide by this judgement and review their equity plans accordingly.

Statement issued by Lennit Max MP, DA Shadow Deputy Minister of Correctional Services, October 20 2013

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