Axing of Muslim social worker unconstitutional

Pierre de Vos, a professor of law at the University of the Western Cape, says the dismissal of a Muslim social worker at Worcester Prison for wearing her uniform with a headscarf is a violation of her rights to religion.

Fairouz Adams was dismissed at an internal inquiry and re-instated yesterday after the intervention of Ngconde Balfour, the correctional services minister. Balfour said the matter was being dealt with internally.

De Vos, on the other hand, says the matter could go as far as the Constitutional Court. "This is clearly an infringement of the right to freedom of religion. You can limit the right to freedom of religion through legislation but then only when you are prepared to make reasonable accommodation for religious beliefs and practices."

De Vos says it seems like the department of correctional services did not make reasonable accommodation for religious beliefs in this case.

Adams is preparing to take the matter to the Labour Court by next week.