Constitutional Court decision in favour of SAPS in Renate Barnard case is disappointing

Dr. Dirk Herman, general secretary of Solidarity, confirmed that the Constitutional Court has ruled in favour of the SAPS as a final decision in the lengthy racial discrimination court case which former Police Col. Renate Barnard and Solidarity brought against the Police, Adv. Anton Alberts, the FF Plus' parliamentary spokesperson for the FF Plus on Labour says.

With this judgment, the Constitutional Court reversed the decision of five judges in the Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein and found that the SAPS had acted constitutionally correct in not promoting Barnard.

Adv. Alberts said the case was of the utmost importance with specific reference to racism and the labour market and the decision confirms the tragic finality of the issue.

"This does not bode well for race relations in South Africa. It will officially demote minorities to inferior citizens in their own country and it shows that the country's highest court does not foresee a sunset clause for affirmative action in the future.

"This also shows that the Constitutional Court undoubtedly believes in a labour system which is based on racial discrimination.

"This decision will give new impetus to minority group's striving for greater autonomy as it will be the only way to circumvent this type of discrimination.

"The FF Plus however honours Renate Barnard and Dirk Hermann of Solidarity who had fought the battle tirelessly and on behalf of every member of minority groups in the country.

"The FF Plus undertakes to continue to use parliamentary processes to see to it that racism is replaced by merit in the labour environment," Adv. Alberts says.

Statement issued by Adv. Anton Alberts, FF Plus parliamentary spokesperson: Labour, September 2 2014

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