A police captain broke down and cried in the Labour Court in Johannesburg on Wednesday while explaining how she was overlooked for a position because she was white.

"I want to ask management, what must I do more to get a promotion? I sacrificed my family to do my job properly... I am a top performer," an emotional Captain Renate Bernard said.

She was being cross examined by advocate William Mokhare, a lawyer representing the SA Police Service.

An officer with 20 years of experience, Barnard took the SAPS to court after she was overlooked twice for a superintendent position, apparently because of her skin colour. She said the SAPS has acted unfairly and discriminated against her when they overlooked her for the position, on the grounds her appointment did not address employment equity goals.

The case will continue on Thursday when Mokhare and Barnard's lawyer advocate John Grogan would close their arguments.

Long the matter was postponed on Wednesday, Barnard was still wiping tears from her eyes.