The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) has noted with serious concern reports from our members who have observed unexplained reductions in their pension fund values as reflected in their most recent statements from the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF).

As a union representing thousands of employees within the Criminal Justice Cluster — including the South African Police Service, Correctional Services and Traffic — we find it deeply troubling that such material changes appear to have been implemented without any consultation, prior notice, or adequate explanation to the affected members.

The GEPF has attributed these reductions to actuarial projections, yet POPCRU finds this reasoning problematic. By definition, actuarial projections are forward-looking tools meant to assess and plan for future risks and obligations — not to be applied retrospectively in ways that affect existing member balances. This raises serious questions about the legitimacy, timing, and governance of this decision.

We therefore demand immediate and full disclosure from the GEPF Board of Trustees and the Government Pensions Administration Agency (GPAA) on the following:

1. Whose decision it was to implement these retrospective adjustments;

2. When the actuarial review that informed these changes was conducted and approved;

3. Why there was no consultation with labour representatives and stakeholders, as is required by good governance and accountability standards; and

4. What the long-term implications of this adjustment are for public sector employees’ pensions and retirement security.

POPCRU reminds the GEPF of its public commitment that workers’ pensions would not be negatively affected by any internal actuarial recalculations or administrative adjustments. We view any deviation from that commitment as a serious breach of trust between the Fund and its members.

We therefore call upon all POPCRU members to review their pension statements for the months of July, August, and September 2025, and to immediately report any discrepancies or unexplained reductions to their provincial POPCRU offices. This collective verification process will enable the union to consolidate evidence and pursue this matter formally with the relevant authorities.

POPCRU will further engage with COSATU and other public sector unions to ensure that the GEPF and GPAA are held accountable and that the hard-earned savings of public servants are protected.

We reaffirm our position that workers’ retirement funds are sacrosanct and must not be subjected to unilateral administrative or actuarial decisions that compromise transparency, fairness, and the long-term security of members.

Issued by POPCRU 

For more information contact Richard Mamabolo on 066 135 4349