/ MEDIA STATEMENT / The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union’s (POPCRU) 10th Western Cape Provincial Congress convened on 6 and 7 October 2024 at the Century City Conference Centre in Cape Town under the theme ‘Building a sustainable organisation in defence of collective bargaining’. The aim was to discuss the priority issues affecting its members in the province’s criminal justice cluster (CJC), and elect its new provincial leadership.

Charged with taking up the mantle of representing members’ grievances and dealing with widespread issues within the province, the new office bearers are: Conwe Flink as Provincial Chairperson, Archie Mokgothu as Deputy Chairperson, Mluleki Mbhele as Secretary, Nomalungelo “Jacky” Lucas as Deputy Secretary, and Claudine Julies as Treasurer.

POPCRU President Thulani Ngwenya congratulated the provincial leaders on the election results, emphasising that they had been called to stand on the frontlines in the fight for workers’ rights – especially amidst ongoing public sector wage negotiations.

He stated that public servants have grown increasingly frustrated over stagnant wage increases for the past four years, especially after government reneged on the final leg of the 2018 Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) salary agreement.

“Our members have been short-changed by government. Austerity measures have been forced upon us while workers are left without recourse, as government has continually undermined collective bargaining processes. Meanwhile, our members continue to bear the brunt of budget cuts, retrenchments, and the freezing of vacant posts, leaving them with more work and fewer resources,” he said.

“Our members are now looking to us to defend their rights, and we cannot fail them. We must mobilise and work to demonstrate that workers will not be ignored any longer.”

Growing pressure on correctional services facilities

The safety of prison staff emerged as a particularly contentious topic during the congress. Delegates noted that the Western Cape’s prison system is under severe pressure as overcrowding, resource shortages, and poor conditions take a growing toll on the safety of both correctional services officers and inmates.

At Pollsmoor Prison, for example, wardens are being housed in dangerous conditions within the facility. At Malmesbury, some cells are only secured with padlocks, which are notoriously easy to break open.

“Violent attacks on members have become increasingly common, and current safety protocols are either ineffective or not implemented correctly. We must strengthen our relationship with Correctional Services management, and engage with them to make our prisons safer. Likewise, we must collaborate to expand prison self-sustainability programmes, such as the production of prison uniforms, teaching inmates’ valuable skills while reducing the department’s costs.”

SAPS infrastructure is crumbling

Another key issue raised was deteriorating infrastructure and unsafe working conditions in the province’s police stations. Khayelitsha SAPS, one of the largest stations in the region, suffers significant leaks when it rains, creating an unhealthy and unsafe environment for officers and community members alike. The conditions at Faure Base are similarly alarming, with the station posing a health risk to police.

In another example, ten officers in Cape Town were injured after being trapped in a malfunctioning elevator. The elevators were subsequently fixed but are reportedly still prone to getting stuck. Furthermore, automatic safety gates at certain stations have broken down, forcing officers to open them manually – a dangerous task, especially during night shifts.

POPCRU has strongly criticised the neglect of state-owned properties in the past, attributing the issue to mismanagement by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI), which oversees the maintenance and repair of public buildings such as police stations.

The situation at Atlantis SAPS, one of the top 30 gang-affected stations in the province, is even more alarming. Despite continuous threats from violent gangs, officers at the station lack working radios and reliable communication systems, leaving them unable to call for backup when attacked.

Addressing criticisms lobbied against officers

During the congress, Western Cape Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile raised concerns regarding absenteeism, a severe brain drain among detectives, and police officer involvement in crime.

Chairman of the Safer South Africa Foundation, Zizamele Cebekhulu-Makhaza remarked that, “Absenteeism is tied to underlying issues such as rising mental health disorders within the force, and the disturbing increase in suicides can be linked to dangerous working conditions. Moreover, with some managers reportedly colluding with gangsters, how can we protect our members when the systems meant to safeguard them are compromised? Officers aren’t just absent – they’re scared for their lives.”

Cebekhulu further highlighted the absence of a comprehensive strategy to combat gangsterism, urging the provincial commissioner to present a plan to dismantle these criminal networks. “Every year, we attend commemorations for fallen officers, but where is the plan to stop these killings?”

Lastly, he drew attention to the struggles of detectives, criticising the salary gap between office-bound officials and frontline officers. “Our detectives are moonlighting or leaving the force because they’re tired of working long hours with minimal pay. This is unacceptable, and we must address this disparity urgently,” he concluded.

Issued by Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union