The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) pays homage to its dedicated affiliate, the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU), as it celebrates its 35th anniversary.
POPCRU was established on 5 November 1989, at the height of the liberation struggle, when its members led by a young Lieutenant Gregory Rockman stood up to the apartheid regime and refused to enforce the then government’s oppressive laws. The union has stood the test of time and continues to beat back the challenges confronting police, correctional and traffic officers.
The union’s members work under adverse conditions characterised by limited allocated resources and an increasing workload due to escalating crime levels in the country. Law enforcement officers dedicate and selflessly risk their lives daily to protecting others despite the ever-present risk to their personal safety, as criminals target them for their service pistols. It is a sad fact, however, that their remuneration does not reflect the gravity of the responsibility they bear.
According to the latest South African Police Service annual report, 111 police officers were murdered during the 2023/24 financial year. The skills flight within the police service is a reality as more and more officers leave the public service for greener pastures in the private sector, resulting in inadequate levels of manpower in the service. Correctional and traffic officers also battle deteriorating working conditions and a lack of opportunities for career growth.
If we are to do justice to our gallant law enforcement officers, then it is time that we further tighten our criminal laws to ensure that no person charged with an attack on them is granted bail, and that no person convicted of such a crime is granted any sentence but life imprisonment. An attack on our law enforcement officers is treason and must be treated as such.
COSATU applauds the union and its members for their selfless service to the nation despite the various systemic limitations they face while discharging their duties. The strongest indication yet that POPCRU cares about more than its members is the work of Safer South Africa Foundation. Launched by POPCRU in 2012, the foundation creates awareness and mobilises under-resourced communities to work together in the fight against crime.
The Federation wishes POPCRU many more years of fighting for and defending the rights of workers. COSATU is confident that its affiliate will emerge from the CEC that is currently underway, revived and ready to tackle the next 35 years.
Issued by COSATU
Zanele Sabela(COSATU National Spokesperson)
Mobile: 079 287 5788 / 077 600 6639
Email: zanele@cosatu.org.za