The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) wishes its affiliate, the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU), a successful and productive Central Executive Committee (CEC).

COSATU commends POPCRU for the decisive Labour Court victory in the Mangaung Correctional Centre matter, following the Court’s dismissal of the application for leave to appeal. The judgment reinforces the protections afforded to workers under section 197 of the Labour Relations Act and confirms that workers cannot simply become casualties when operations or services change hands.

We salute POPCRU for standing firm in defence of the affected workers and their livelihoods. This is an important victory for the workers concerned and for organised labour as a whole.

COSATU also expresses its full solidarity with POPCRU’s demands to the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), which led to the union’s sit-in at the department’s national headquarters.

Workers cannot be expected to endlessly accept promises and commitments that are not implemented. The DCS must urgently address the outstanding matters affecting correctional officials and honour undertakings made to organised labour.

The challenges facing correctional workers—including staffing, working conditions, infrastructure, employee welfare and workplace safety—cannot be allowed to fester. A properly resourced and motivated workforce is essential to an effective correctional system and safer communities.

COSATU calls on DCS to engage POPCRU meaningfully and urgently to resolve these matters and restore confidence in the collective bargaining process.

As POPCRU convenes its CEC, COSATU wishes its leadership and delegates robust and successful deliberations. We are confident that the CEC will strengthen the union and provide renewed vigour to the struggle for workers’ rights, decent working conditions and a better life for all.

Issued by COSATU

Zanele Sabela (COSATU Spokesperson)

Mobile: 079 287 5788 / 077 600 6639

Email: zaneles@cosatu.org.za