DA wants health MEC charged for ‘wanting only black Africans’

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in KwaZulu-Natal is considering taking legal action against the MEC for health, and encouraged individuals to lay criminal charges against Sibongiseni Dhlomo over what it deems to be a human rights violation.

This follows a leaked internal circular which alludes to a directive that a total of 100 posts for medical registrars for 2019 be filled with black African candidates only.

The circular further claims that the reason for the decision is in order to address the department’s lack of compliance in terms of employment equity policy.

It further states that in the event that there are no suitable black African candidates for the 100 posts, they must be readvertised until such time as they are filled.

“While the DA fully supports addressing the imbalances of our past and creating a country, economy and job market that is inclusive and free from unfair discrimination, we wholly reject the application of quotas in terms of filling registrar posts,” said Imran Keeka, the DA’s KZN spokesperson on health.

Keeka said while the process had already begun with interviews and authorisation for the filling of posts, it must be challenged.

He said the DA would be considering legal action against the MEC and his department should the the decision not be overturned.

“It is also the DA’s considered view that every individual affected by this quota system – resulting in their exclusion from accessing opportunities purely on the basis of their skin colour – should approach the Equality Court to lay criminal charges against MEC Dhlomo,” he said.

“After about 10 years at the helm of this critical department – and after 25 years of ANC rule – MEC Dhlomo and his cohorts have suddenly woken up and decided to try to rectify their own equity inaction in one fell swoop.

“This is not in keeping with equity law, nor is it in the spirit of our country’s constitution.”

In response, Dhlomo’s office said after difficulties were experienced in recruiting black African candidates for these posts, a deviation was sought from the accounting officer.

“And out of a total of 77 registrar posts, which are in the process of being finalised, 21 posts will be offered to non-black Africans,” said Dhlomo.

He said addressing the imbalances of the country’s shameful past of apartheid and separate development was not only an imperative legislative mandate of government that must be fulfilled, but it was also the morally and socially right thing to do.

– gcinan@citizen.co.za

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