Minister appoints magistrate after being compelled by court to do away with racist exclusion

21 October 2021

Solidarity is delighted to announce that Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola has appointed Martin Kroukamp as a senior magistrate. The appointment was signed by the minister on 10 October 2021 and is also effective as from that date.

The appointment follows after years of litigation undertaken by Solidarity against the Department of Justice. As a result Kroukamp was excluded from promotion for 12 years based on his race until the Equality Court on 16 August 2021 ruled that Kroukamp be appointed to the post.

“We are extremely pleased by the ruling, and we welcome Mr Kroukamp’s eventual appointment made in terms of this ruling. The message it sends out is clear and the government should take note that this type of discrimination will not be tolerated and that the correct action is indeed enforceable by a court of law,” Anton van der Bijl, Solidarity’s head of Legal Matters.

According to Solidarity, Kroukamp’s case will also pave the way for future litigation regarding appointments by state departments. Solidarity further argues that the government must renounce its racial ideology and make appointments on the basis of the applicants’ knowledge and experience; race must thus be removed completely from the criteria.

“Kroukamp was appointed in an acting capacity in this position for a decade as the department refused point-blank to appoint him permanently because of the colour of his skin. It is absurd that race dictates appointments. Solidarity regards this ruling and appointment as a victory against this type of discrimination, and we will continue to fight for justice to be done for similar cases as well,” Van der Bijl concluded.

Issued by Anton van der Bijl, Head: Legal Matters, 21 October 2021