Popcru launches scathing attack on Correctional Services management

THE POLICE and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) has called for the urgent removal of the Department of Correctional Services Kimberley area commissioner and the Northern Cape/Free State regional commissioner because of their “arrogance, brazen disrespect and poor management skills”.

Public Servants Association provincial manager Steve Ledibane also condemned the “unfair dismissal” of officials who refused to be transferred from Kimberley Correctional Centre to Tswelopele Correctional Centre.

He added that since their departure, no new warders had been recruited, leading to a shortage of staff.

Popcru president Thulani Ngwenya said that union members were targeted and “treated like children”.

He cited “a serious breakdown” in the relationship between the union and management at the Department of Correctional Services.

“We condemn the Department of Correctional Services management’s refusal to meet with the provincial leadership of Popcru in the strongest possible terms. The national office will need to immediately intervene to resolve tensions. Additionally, the regional commissioner must be forced to take responsibility for her actions and withdraw the malicious cases that were launched against our members who dared to stand up to her,” said Ngwenya.

“These individuals should be urgently removed from management and replaced with strong leaders who are ready to hear our members’ concerns and will work with us.”

Ngwenya added that prevailing friction in the Northern Cape could spill over into the Free State.

Popcru provincial chairperson Zamani Mathiso believed that 300 more warders should be recruited every year to fill vacant positions.

“Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the department has failed to recruit new correctional officers while members resigned, retired or were dismissed or suspended, creating serious personnel shortages while prisons were becoming increasingly overcrowded.”

He denied that any of their members had held the regional commissioner hostage.

Mathiso also expressed concern over “rampant corruption” related to taxi permits that were issued by the Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison.

“Alarmingly, the union warned that the department’s building did not comply with the occupational health and safety regulations, as highlighted by the Department of Employment and Labour. The air conditioning is not working while there is no ventilation system and makes the premises unfit for occupation.”

He stated that employees were advised to leave work daily at 1pm until the situation had been resolved.

“To date, no progress has been made.”

Mathiso highlighted the dire lack of traffic officers and resources in the Province.

“We have traffic officers that have been forced to push their cars along the road. If companies in the mining sector had not come to their rescue, they would still be pushing their own vehicles around today. This must not be allowed. We are ready to unite all workers and rally behind these issues. If departmental management won’t listen, we will make them listen,” he added.

Northern Cape Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison, Rennie Andrias, stated that the department would submit a comprehensive implementation plan in response to the investigation report compiled by the Public Protector and Public Service Commission into the awarding of taxi permits.

“We are implementing the recommendations and will update the public in due course.”

He added that they were working with the landlord to improve on the compliance issues raised by the Department of Employment and Labour.

“New traffic wardens will be on our roads by December 2024.”

Department of Correctional Services spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo indicated that the national commissioner met with the national Popcru leadership this week to discuss a range of issues.

He stated that none of the matters raised in media enquiries were mentioned during their engagements.

“Upon receiving your enquiry, they were taken aback. We will not offer any response at this stage,” he said.