Cop’s dismissal ruled ‘unfair’
Sergeant Zaine Moodley, who is eager to get back to work, is waiting to be reinstated by Saps.
The dismissal in 2016 of Port Shepstone K9 Unit officer Sergeant Zaine Moodley has been ruled unfair.
This ruling by the Safety and Security Sectoral Bargaining Council (SSSBC) found that Sgt Moodley’s dismissal was ‘procedurally and substantively unfair.’
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Sgt Moodley joined the police force in 2002 and worked in crime prevention and with the dog unit for 16 years.
He faced two charges – one of assault and the other of kidnapping – and at a disciplinary hearing held by his employer he was found guilty and sanctioned with dismissal.
The officer, represented by Advocate Shaun van Vollenhoven and Angeni Naidoo Law Firm, appealed, and the matter was referred to the SSSBC.
The evidence and argument brought by the SSSBC states that there were “various procedural defeats in the matter viz, the refusal to entertain the application for legal representation, the delayed prosecution, delay of the appeal outcome”.
“The finding of the disciplinary chairperson ought to have found the applicant not guilty according to the charge sheet as he was acting in the course and scope of his employment as a policeman,” read the findings.
Sgt Moodley, who is eager to get back to work, is waiting to be reinstated by Saps.
In the course of his career, he has dealt with a variety of crimes including robbery, rape, housebreaking and hijacking.
In 2007, during a cash in transit heist in Umtentweni he and his dog, Luke, was shot.
He was also instrumental in the arrest of the person responsible for the brutal slaying of an Umtentweni pensioner in 2011.
The police were approached for comment but had not responded at the time of going to press.
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