The judgement in the Democratic Alliances application against Section 15a of the Employment Equity Act has been reserved by the High Court in Pretoria. Section 15a of the Employment Equity Act will give the Minister of Labour and Employment powers to set targets in particular employment sectors.
The DA has described the new amended Act as unconstitutional and unfair, arguing that this move by government is introducing racial quotas. However, the ANC rejected the DAs court application, describing it as a gimmick.
ANC Gauteng Provincial Task Team PTT coordinator Hope Papo has described the DA's court challenge as an insult to black people.
"This gimmick by the DA is an assault and affront and an insult to all black people. By black people, I mean Africans, Indian and coloured. Coloured people and Indian people are not only found in the Western Cape and in KZN. They are found all over the country. The Act tries to deal with centuries over 500 years of colonialism, and apartheid, taking over from colonialism, says Papo.
Judgement reserved in DAs challenge: Counsel for the Department of Labour and Employment Advocate Fana Nalane has argued that nothing prevents the minister from setting sectoral targets as prescribed in the Employment Equity Act.