The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) has noted with discontent the undeserved and deplorable utterances made by EFF leader Julius Malema yesterday, while addressing protesters at the Mall of the North in Polokwane, Limpopo province.
POPCRU has always, and will continue standing firm against any form of racism, and joins many fellow South Africans in condemning the racist posture exhibited by the Clicks advertorial which has depicted the hair of a black woman as being “dry, damaged, frizzy and dull” as compared to that of a white woman, which is described as “colour treated, fine, flat and normal.”
We also firmly believe in the innate right of all citizens to protest and demonstrate peacefully, irrespective of their political affiliation.
However, we find it repugnant that in his address, the EFF leader chose to divert and maliciously attack police officers present at the vicinity, verbally abusing them and undermining their integrity.
It is rather reckless and regrettable that these public servants were unashamedly insulted by another public servant for merely doing their work.
This unwarranted attack happens at a time when the country just concluded commemorating many of our police men and women who have died in the line of duty, while sacrificing their lives and putting their lives at risk at every step out of their residences.
It takes place at a time when police killings are rife, and at a time we need to collectively work together in nurturing and building community-policing relations for safer societies, as opposed to resorting to divisive tactics.
This populist expedition should never be tolerated, as it does not serve the best interests of our communities.
Police officials are, and will continue being deployed at any given time and space when any assessments by the SAPS management requires that they be deployed. Their deployment is not dependent on whether certain citizens despise the decision or not. Their deployment is purely operational.
Members of Parliament serve as public servants and representatives to serve and represent all members of the public, including the very police officers who are remunerated to uphold the very laws passed through parliamentary processes.
It should be expected of them to demonstrate selflessness, empathy and moral integrity when representing the public.
Issued by POPCRU on 08/09/2020
For more information, contact; Popcru National Spokesperson Richard Mamabolo 066 135 4349