Latest news with #POPCRU
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Time of India
New Orleans prison break: 10 inmates cut through bars and escape; 5 recaptured, 5 still on the run - Who are they?
(Photo: X) In what resembled a scene from a crime thriller, ten inmates pulled off a daring prison break last week at the Orleans Justice Center in New Orleans. The prisoners escaped by cutting through steel bars behind a metal toilet and sink unit in their cell, squeezing through a small hole to freedom. Before fleeing, they taunted authorities by spray-painting 'Too Easy LoL' on the wall. The jailbreak sparked an immediate high-profile manhunt. Of the ten escapees, five have been recaptured within New Orleans city limits and are now held at the maximum-security Louisiana State Penitentiary . However, five remain at large and are considered armed and dangerous. How did the inmates escape? Authorities think the inmates used a tool to cut through steel bars behind the toilet and sink in their cell. Jail worker Sterling Williams was arrested and charged with helping the escape and committing wrongdoing at work. He reportedly gave in to threats from the prisoners and turned off the water to their cell, letting them take apart the toilet and sink to make the hole they escaped through. Williams told investigators that one inmate threatened to stab him with a homemade knife, or 'shank,' if he did not follow orders. The escape and manhunt The breakout occurred on May 16, during a prisoner transfer back to holding cells following court proceedings. CCTV footage circulated online shows inmates sprinting down a courthouse corridor past a lone, outnumbered police officer who attempts to stop them but is quickly overwhelmed. Following the breakout, law enforcement swiftly recaptured five of the fugitives, including 19-year-old Corey Boyd, who faced charges of second-degree murder, attempted murder, aggravated battery, and threatening a public official. Boyd now faces an additional charge of simple escape. The remaining five fugitives are: Jermaine Donald, 42 – Charged with second-degree murder, aggravated battery, and possession of a firearm. Derrick Groves, 27 – Convicted of multiple second-degree murders and attempted murders; awaiting sentencing on manslaughter charges. Antoine T. Massey, 32 – Facing charges of domestic abuse involving strangulation, theft, and a warrant for second-degree rape and kidnapping. Leo Tate, 31 – Charged with burglary, drug possession, theft of a motor vehicle, and obstruction of justice. Lenton Vanburen, 26 – Arrested on charges including second-degree murder, armed robbery, and battery of a correctional officer. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill praised law enforcement's efforts but warned the fugitives remain highly dangerous. 'Five remain at large and are considered to be armed and dangerous,' she said. Concerns over security and safety The incident has reignited serious questions over jail and courthouse security protocols. The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) said that this was the second escape involving awaiting trial detainees in under a month. The union called for urgent review and tightening of security procedures during prisoner transport and court appearances. Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams revealed the fallout from the escape extends beyond the fugitives. 'Two of the lawyers who prosecuted Derrick Groves have left town with their families out of fear of retribution,' he said. 'I am personally afraid.'
The Star
06-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Disciplinary action against Ekurhuleni metro police officers for illegal strike
Staff Reporter | Published 4 hours ago The City of Ekurhuleni has initiated stern disciplinary proceedings against 389 officers of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) after their involvement in an illegal strike and blockade that caused major disruptions on March 19, 2025. The protest, which aimed to address ongoing grievances concerning labour conditions, led to significant disruption, severely affecting traffic flow and inconveniencing thousands of daily commuters, while also obstructing access to the vital OR Tambo International Airport. EMPD officers, recognised as personnel in essential services under South African law, are mandated to maintain public safety and order. 'As EMPD officers, these individuals are classified under essential services, mandated to uphold public safety and order. Their participation in prohibited strike action constitutes gross misconduct, undermining public trust and violating labour laws as stipulated in the Labour Relations Act. "All implicated officers have been issued pre-dismissal notices and are suspended from duty pending the outcome of their disciplinary hearings. They are required to submit any city-issued equipment, including vehicles, firearms, and official access cards, until the conclusion of the disciplinary process,' the statement read. It is further revealed that in light of the situation, the city has entered into discussions with the South African Police Service (SAPS) to ensure an uninterrupted policing presence, reinforcing the city's promise to uphold public safety and service delivery. The alignment is further formalised through a memorandum of understanding signed between the city and the minister of police. When this happened, the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) had framed the officers' protest as a justified response to ongoing grievances, including significant labour-related concerns such as salary disparities, cuts to overtime pay, and deteriorating working conditions. President Thulani Ngwenya has been vocal about the need to address these issues without allowing them to devolve into political grandstanding. 'These are workers' issues that require urgent and focused attention,' Ngwenya asserted. 'EMPD personnel provide their labour in exchange for compensation, and they are simply demanding that this compensation be fair and just. This is not a political matter but a labour relations matter that should be treated with the seriousness it deserves.' POPCRU has been unwavering in its commitment to protecting the rights of law enforcement officers and condemns the ongoing exploitation linked to austerity measures that have led to unfair salary adjustments for EMPD and other traffic officers. Ngwenya emphasised that these cost-cutting measures have imposed detrimental burdens on the officers, undermining both their livelihoods and their ability to serve the community effectively. Saturday Star
IOL News
22-04-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
How POPCRU's National Gender Forum is shaping gender justice in South Africa
The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) on Tuesday embarked on the first day of its two-day National Gender Forum at the Holiday Inn, Rosebank, Johannesburg, under the banner of 'Deepening the Struggle for Gender Justice: Advancing Inclusivity and Workers' Rights.' According to the union, the forum brings together its national and provincial gender structures, senior leadership, representatives from allied organisations, and strategic partners in the broader labour movement. The union said this forum will also honour the legacy of gender activists within POPCRU, including the late Pretty Shuping and Thandiwe Ncipa, and celebrate the achievements of the 2023 Women Development Cohort, who recently graduated with a Higher Certificate in Economic Development from the University of the Western Cape. The union's Richard Mamabolo stated that the forum will discuss implementing transformative gender policies, including progress on the Sixteen Days of Activism, Restore Dignity Campaign, and Gender Roundtable. It will tackle critical topics such as gender-based violence in the world of work, decent work for persons with disabilities and LGBTQI+ workers, and advancing feminist leadership within unions. The union said the forum will also review the outcomes of global engagements including the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, the COSATU Women's Feminist Leadership School, and the Labour 20 Consultative Workshop, ensuring that POPCRU's gender programme remains aligned with international standards and best practices. The union aims to consolidate the union's efforts in promoting gender equality, equity, and inclusion both within the organisation and across the criminal justice sector. Government's 90-day plan to eradicate gender-based violence in South Africa. South Africa faces continued battles of gender struggle, such as Gender Based Violence and Femicide, which contribute to the total crime figure as per the police's crime reports.
