POPCRU elects Free State leadership
The union committed to prioritising the continuous education and professional development of members through access to training programmes, workshops, and resources to enhance skills and knowledge at it's provincial congress held in Parys.
The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) has adopted a programme of action in every province as it seeks to eliminate issues facing its members in the criminal justice cluster. This follows the union’s 10th Provincial Congress for the Free State held in Parys the past week, during which it revealed the results of its provincial elections.
Provincial Chairperson Thabo Lefalatsa was re-elected to his position, supported by Deputy Chairperson Booysen Vincent Ntoyi, Provincial Secretary Sibongile Ramahlokoane, Deputy Secretary Thapelo Motaung, and Provincial Treasurer Mpho Mashane.
Congratulating the provincial leaders on the election results, Popcru President Thulani Ngwenya called on the delegates present to implement a vigorous campaign in defence of collective bargaining. “I am confident that you are up to this challenge as leadership,” said Ngwenya.
Ngwenya also congratulated the Free State’s provincial executive committee and delegates on achievements the past two years.
These included substantial progress on its training and development efforts, with an emphasis on capacity building at regional levels.
In 2023, the union’s Free State arm facilitated a training workshop for 30 paralegals to hone their skills as shop stewards.
Throughout March this year, it further provided 78 shop stewards with relevant political training and has committed to deploying further paralegals and shop stewards to CCMA workshops.
However, he warned that serious challenges remain in the province, including some of the union’s police members’ complaints that they have not yet been compensated for overtime during the general elections. Likewise, awards in disciplinary and labour cases in favour of Popcru members have not been implemented accordingly.
Traffic officers within the Department of Community Safety, Roads, and Transport had raised concerns about improper suspension procedures being followed by the department’s management, as well as a lack of policy compliance, issues in governance and issues with uniforms.
Popcru delegates further criticised the department for sending junior staff without decision-making authority to represent management in meetings with its representatives – a situation that the union emphasised would not be allowed to continue.
Additionally, the Regional Labour Forum highlighted the extremely dilapidated condition of the community corrections building in Qwa-Qwa, which had led to a site visit by provincial leadership and the identification of alternative accommodation.
In response to the issues raised, Popcru adopted key resolutions to intensify advocacy and lobbying efforts at both provincial and national levels, focusing on better working conditions, fair remuneration, and comprehensive support systems for members.
The union committed to prioritising the continuous education and professional development of members through access to training programmes, workshops, and resources to enhance skills and knowledge.
