Johannesburg – The SA Policing Union on Friday demanded an apology from Gauteng police chief Lt-Gen Mzwandile Petros for purported sexist remarks.

“To say women have themselves to blame for not being promoted because they are concentrating on their husbands and children is the worst insult to women in a democratic dispensation,” Sapu general secretary Oscar Skommere said.

Skommere said Petros made the comment this week while briefing the media on the appointment of 14 station commanders. Eight of the commanders were promoted to the rank of colonel and the other six to that of brigadier.

Police spokesman Neville Malila said 15 of the 24 officers promoted were women. Malila said if Petros indeed made the remarks, it was strange journalists at the briefing had not picked them up immediately.

“At least seven different media house(s) were present; they would not miss something like this.”

He said there would be no apology from the general.

Sapu said Petros’s comments were unacceptable and uncalled-for and the union expected an apology in seven days.

“We call upon General Petros to withdraw this statement and apologise unconditionally to women officers and women in the country in general.”

Sapu challenged gender activists to call the general to order. – Sapa