Media Statement 03rd April 2011 POPCRU National Executive Committee Meeting Outcomes-02-03rd April 2011 Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union has held its National Executive Committee Meeting on the 02-03rd April 2011 at POPCRU House, Auckland Park in terms of POPCRU’s Constitution, Chapter 6, Section 12, Subsection 12.2, to assess Organizational implementation of programmes across all Provinces inclusive of consolidation of working struggles waged within the South African Police Services, Department of Correctional Services, Private Prisons and the Traffic Departments. We have acknowledge the superlative degree of progress registered since last twenty one years of our existence in general and in the current conjuncture in particular and reiterated a view that more is still to be done, to transform radically the Criminal Justice System and all the Safety and Security Value Chain in the country. And welcomed the Heroes month in recognition and commemoration of the late South African Communist Party General Secretary,Cde Chris Hani,who was assassinated on 10 April 1993 and the celebrations of the first democratic National Elections on the 27th April 2011. The NEC has extended its heartfelt condolences to the family of Cde Henry “Squire” Makgothi, who was buried on Saturday at Randburg and reaffirmed our commitment to build a strong ANC in the coming Local Elections by mobilizing our communities to build better communities together. And may his soul rest in peace! And as POPCRU that entails working harder to build democratic local government that gives communities a voice and the opportunity to be active participants in the development of areas where they live. The NEC was attended by all Provincial Chairpersons and Secretaries, deliberated on many issues and amongst others, arrived at the following conclusions;
Organizational Developments Local Congresses and Provincial Executive Committee Outcomes We have acknowledged the smooth unfolding of Local Congresses and Provincial Executive Committee meetings as convened under our Constitution Chapter 12, Section 18, Subsection 18.1 and Chapter 10, Section 16, Subsection 16.1 respectively. We welcome the leadership that emerged at these Locals and adjure all Shopstewards to continue coordinate and represent our membership at all fronts including defending the organization against any disruptions on membership service. We have noted the developments on attempts to undermine the functioning of structures in KwaZulu-Natal in particular and we adjure all members to remain steadfast and fight against the employer on imposition of shift system for Correctional Centres. 07th National Congress Preparations in June 2011 We noted the extensive account on the developments pertaining to the convening of POPCRU 07th National Congress on the 13-16th June 2011 at Bloemfontein, Free State. The date was brought forward after the NEC deliberated on a number of considerations including utilization of the recess period at the University of Free State where the Congress will be held. And we look forward to be addressed all Alliance Partners-COSATU, SACP and the ANC. We are expecting in attendance all COSATU Affiliates, Government Officials, Labour Service Organizations and our International Allies from all countries from across the globe, as part of our national and international agenda to consolidate unionization of the sector and enhancing unity of the Working Class within and beyond our borders. SASSETA Developments We have acknowledged as from the 01st April 2011 the amalgamation of the Metro Police and Traffic Law Enforcement to benefit on the SETA landscape to build a strong responsive public service to realize the five national priorities, amongst others, to fight crime and corruption. We view all these developments as stepping stones to achieve a Single Police Service under one command and control as part of 2007 Polokwane Resolutions. Peace and Stability as enshrined in the Freedom Charter must be realized in our lifetime. We look forward on the process of appointment of newly established Boards to enhance good governance and accountability on skills revolution within SAPS, DCS and the Traffic Departments where we organize in particular and the Criminal Justice System in general. Public Service Negotiations POPCRU has welcome the tabling of consolidated Labour Demands for the Financial Year 2011/2012 by the Joint Management Committee [JMC] and we support all the substantive demands in particular; 10% Salary Increase, a Single-Term Agree Agreement, Equalization of private medical aid and GEMS, R1 650 Housing Allowances, finalization of Minimum Service Level Agreement, increasing of ShopSteward leave from 10 working days to 25 working days, and review of some Collective Agreements on Pensions, Over-time calculations and Salary Progression. We call upon the employer to come to the party and table a real offer. And we look forward to sign an agreement timeously for implementation on same. Coming Local Government Elections We strongly condemn the latest delivery protests across all Provinces that are geared to plug fear in the masses and defocus everyone from exercising their constitutional right to choose representatives in a peaceful and safe milieu. We are calling on SAPS and all Law Enforcement Agencies, who are to be deployed in all Voting Wards to exercise high level of vigilance to enforce the Electoral Act and restore stability. We call upon all citizens to come out in their numbers on the 18th May 2011 to cast their vote and to consolidate People’s Organs of Power for an ANC Decisive Victory! Departmental Focus South African Police Services We are concerned with the latest developments on how our country’s national security is compromised on finalizing of regulation of private security matters. We have observed that any person can practice as a security officer without proper vetting and enlisting. We are calling the government to speed-up regulation on same. Practical examples are the latest development on O’Sullivan case and many others. POPCRU will engage the South African Police Services on numerous matters affecting the employment of our members, amongst others, the intake requirements of new recruits, crime statistics around Gauteng and the new ranks. And we are hopeful of positive outcomes out of those engagements. Traffic Department Matters POPCRU has noted the introduction of the National Intervention Unit to be commanded from national level to, amongst others, deal with corruption and enhancement of road safety, to curb road fatalities. We are content that Nationalisation of Traffic is the only vehicle to consolidate the improvement of working conditions of our members as employed under different Provincial Departments. Department of Correctional Services We have raised concerns on the number of cases the organization has taken to the Labour Court against the Department on numerous matters, amongst others, shift system, housing policy, dismissals of members and disrespect for Court Orders. POPCRU calls upon the Department to stop victimization of members in particular in KwaZulu-Natal and come to the party at the Safety and Security Sectoral Bargaining Council [SSSBC],where matters of service conditions of members are discussed other than the Courts. We condemn any alleged prison brutality as reported at all the Correctional Centres in general in the country and the New Kimberley Correctional Centre in particular. However, the usage of maximum force may be used on any account as and when the safety of all members and the public are at stake. And we call all officials to act within the law. International Solidarity We have noted the negative developments around North Africa and Central Africa in which people’s revolution are sparked to change regimes. We are extending our solidarity support with workers in general and call all governments to respect of right to life of all the citizens in general and civilians in particular. We are calling for a speedy resolution of the political leadership impasse in Cote dIvoire and peaceful resolution of civil conflicts in Egypt and Libya. POPCRU reiterate its total support to the end of oppression in Swaziland and welcome the worker’s struggle to improve the quality of lives of all Swazi’s. And we acknowledge the 1st Anniversary since the establishment of Swaziland Democracy Campaign. POPCRU reiterates its total commitment to transformative agenda within the Criminal Justice in particular and in the country in general, to ensure that we are able to deliver on the government five priorities, amongst them, making sure that all people found within our national territory feel safe and are safe. An achievement of the vision as proclaimed in the Freedom Charter that “there shall be Peace and Friendship” must be enhanced in our lifetime through all efforts to build a strong working class and overhauling of the Safety and Security Value Chain in the new dispensation. A POPCRU Member is our priority! For more information contact: POPCRU General Secretary-Cde Nkosinathi Theledi 0825677803 POPCRU Deputy General Secretary-Cde Lebogang Phepheng 0823728968 Issued by: Mampane Norman National Spokesperson Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union Tel: 0112424600/4615 Cell: 0720737959 Email: [email protected] www.popcru.org.za 01 Marie Road AucklandPark 2006 -- You are subscribed. 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