The Department of Correctional Services welcomes the decision of the Labour court today to postpone a court challenge of appropriate implementation of its human resources policies and procedures aimed at ensuring proportional representation of all communities in its staff complement.
By the 23 of September 2010 the department will be more than ready to present its compelling case to court in defence of its pursuance of equity targets.
The department is definitely defending its decision on making or not making the appointment to ensure a sustained balance of racial groups at both macro and micro levels of its administration. We believe strongly that this has nothing to do with discrimination as appointments made holistically have included all racial groups, as informed by a need to maintain a delicate and dynamic balance to meet our equity targets.
We therefore reject with contempt suggestion or allegations of racial discrimination irrespective of their source. We also reject efforts of the union to use expediency to sacrifice a principle of a dynamic, representative and empowered civil service.
Given the fact that the matter is now before court, we would therefore not provide additional information on the matter pending the finalisation of the case.
Enquiries:
Manelisi Wolela
Cell: 083 626 0304
Issued by: Department of Correctional Services
27 May 2010
