Five South African prison warders were dismissed from their jobs for refusing to cut off their Rastafarian dreadlocks, their union said Friday.
The five, employed at the Pollsmoor prison outside Cape Town, were disciplined for contravening the Department of Correctional Services' dress code, said Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union spokesman Benzi Soko.
"The dress code cannot supercede the constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion," said Soko, adding the matter would be pursued to the highest level necessary.
"Our lawyers are preparing an urgent application to the Cape High Court for the members' immediate reinstatement."
He said the five were barred from the workplace, but were receiving their full salaries pending the outcome of an internal appeal process.
The department confirmed the dismissals, saying the five "defiantly ignored warnings to comply" with its dress code.
"The Department of Correctional Services fully respects the legal rights of every official but cannot compromise discipline nor appreciate the flouting of its policies and regulations," it said in a statement.
2 comments:
Two things I love about this story.
Firstly, that people still get sent home for a disciplnary offence but keepo getting their full salary. Wish I had a job like that.
Secondly, how come no one ever breaks a dress code because of being bald? Makes me wonder about the age and gender of these petty rule makers.
I've got to agree with you there, being folically challenged myself!
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