Prison officer wins access to details of failed promotion

A PORT Elizabeth Correctional Services officer has won his battle to be furnished with minutes of an internal interview process, seven years after he was snubbed when he sought a promotion.

Cornelius Goeda turned to the Port Elizabeth High Court after his desperate attempts to resolve the matter within the Correctional Services Department failed.

He based his court application on the Promotion of Access to Information Act.

Goeda declined to comment yesterday.

The post for senior correctional officer: unit management Eastern Cape region, was published in a circular in May 2007. The position came with a salary of R122841 a year.

Goeda said not only was he the most suitable candidate for the position, he exceeded the minimum requirements.

In documents before the court, Goeda, of Salsoneville, said he was one of seven people who applied for the position. Although all seven candidates were interviewed, the position remained unfilled. He saidthe decision not to fill the post was anarbitrary one and no reasons were furnished.

After inquiring from the department, he was told he was not the most suitable candidate and, in fact, was ranked fourth out of the seven applicants interviewed.

Goeda then declared a dispute in the Public Service Bargaining Council, where he noted that new unit managers had been appointed at St Albans.

"I met all the needs required and cannot understand why feedback is still outstanding," he said.

His attorneys then wrote to the department in January 2010, once again requesting the minutes of the interview process, and, after the department was not forthcoming, they lodged an appeal.

This, too, was unsuccessful.

"Had the post been filled then I would simply accept the position. But to the extent that the post remains vacant, I believe I am still entitled to be considered for appointment," Goeda said in papers.

Goeda and lawyer Michael Randell turned to the high court in September.

Correctional Services did not file opposing papers. Department spokesman Zama Feni failed to comment. This week, Judge Elna Revelas ordered that Correctional Services hand over:

• The master list of candidates interviewed for the post;
• The score sheets in respect of the candidates interviewed;
• A memorandum filed by the department reflecting its findings;
• Minutes of the interview process; and
• The qualifications and experience of the candidate found to be most qualified.