Labour Court dismisses cop for ‘shocking’ misconduct

AN ATLANTIS police officer, previously thought to have received only a minor penalty for gross misconduct, has been dismissed from the SAPS following a review by the Labour Court.

- CHEVON BOOYSEN

The Police Ministry and the national police commissioner appealed an arbitrator's decision to the Labour Court in Cape Town after the officer was suspended without pay during disciplinary proceedings.

The police officer and two colleagues were convicted of serious misconduct, including kidnapping, assault causing grievous bodily harm, and behaviour damaging to the image of the SAPS.

The applicants argued that although the employees were found guilty of serious misconduct, the sanctions of suspension without pay (instead of dismissal) were inappropriate. They further submitted that the light sanction imposed, if not reviewed, will impact negatively on the culture within the SAPS in relation to discipline and dishonesty.