Cape Town - The Human Rights Commission and Helen Zille have called for an immediate investigation into an identity card some people have called a modern-day dompas.
Tony Ehrenreich is having none of it, however, and has called the system outright racist.
Last week, the Daily Voice exposed a practice in Worcester where gardeners have to apply for a “green card” in order to apply for work in certain neighbourhoods.
The system was introduced last June by the sector community policing forum (CPF) in a bid to reduce crime.
The exclusive story was trending on Twitter over the weekend, and prompted a response from Western Cape Premier Zille’s office.
On Monday, her spokesman Michael Mpofu said: “As local government, we will investigate from an oversight perspective. But we should be wary and careful of jumping to conclusions. We have to look at who did it and why before we can make any judgements.”
But Western Cape Cosatu leader Ehrenreich says there is no need to investigate.
Ehrenreich tells the Daily Voice: “Cosatu is outraged by this dompas throwback to the days of apartheid.
“We don’t need investigation. It’s just plain wrong, immoral and racist because it only applies to black people.
“The government should outlaw any restrictions on people’s movement in areas.
“Cosatu is taking this matter to Human Rights Commission. The DA silence endorses this lie, they endorse other racism in this province.”
The green card bears a person’s name and job title, just like the dompas carried by blacks during apartheid while travelling outside of their homelands.
Sergeant Julian Plaatjies of the CPF defended their “security system”, saying it’s being used to fight crime.
When applying for their green card, employees’ work history as well as their criminal records are recorded and checked. Those that are issued a card are deemed fit to work in the area.
It gives labourers access to posh areas like Meiringspark, Roux Park and Panorama.
Gardener Norman Jooste told the Daily Voice: “Most gardeners want a card because residents don’t trust you if you don’t have one.
“I haven’t been asked by police for a green card, but where I went to ask by white people for work, they asked for it and if you don’t have it, they call the police.
“If you tell the police you do work in the area, they will go to your employer to confirm it. Those who don’t work in the area are asked to leave.”
The HRC’s Isaac Mangena says they will be launching an investigation even though they haven’t received any complaints yet.
“The commission’s provincial office will be looking into the matter with the view on launching an investigation.
“We will look at all the facts and if preliminary evidence indicates violations (of human rights) we will open a file,” said Mangena.
However, the HRC says in light of South Africa’s turbulent history, the green card can be seen as “insensitive”.
“To some it may be interpreted as racial profiling since most of the gardeners are probably black,” he says.
“It also borders on infringing on their right to movement if the cards will be used to determine where the employee can go or not.
“Also, coming from a sad history where the majority of our people were forced to carry passes... it could be viewed as insensitive and taking us back to apartheid.”
Daily Voice