Promotions halted at SAPS

The Labour Court in Gauteng has ruled that the SA Police Service not implement any promotions in line with its affirmative action plan until all lawsuits against the plan have been heard, Solidarity said.

"This judgment will result in at least 1,500 promotions being held in abeyance until Solidarity's affirmative action case has been heard," Solidarity deputy general secretary Dirk Hermann said in a statement.

The ruling was made last Thursday (28 February).

Hermann said the trade union had lodged a petition asking the court to declare the affirmative action plan invalid. The plan introduced two new ranks - lieutenant and major - in order to promote warrant officers and captains.

Herman said many whites who met the requirements for promotions had not been promoted since the plan was implemented, as the positions had already been filled.

"Only 9% of the available positions for lieutenants and majors have been allocated to white people," he said.

Source: Sapa via I-Net Bridge