Cape Muslim worker dismissed for wearing headscarf

A Muslim social worker at Worcester Prison in the Western Cape has been dismissed by the department of correctional services for wearing her uniform with a headscarf.

Fairouz Adams was dismissed at an internal disciplinary hearing. Eddie Johnson, the provincial spokesperson for correctional services, says Adams violated the department's corporate identity. Johnson says in terms of the department's disciplinary code, Adams has an option to appeal against her dismissal.

He says for this, she has been summoned to a disciplinary hearing at which she was then found guilty of violating the dress code. A penalty of a written warning has been issued to her and that sanctions at least should be in place for six months before it could be reconsidered -before it falls away.