Latest news with #PoliceandPrisonsCivilRightsUnion
IOL News
2 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Police union celebrates pivotal SAPS reforms aimed at boosting officer morale
Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) president, Thulani Ngwenya. Image: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers Beyond SAPS detectives, three specialised groups, namely K9 handlers, mounted patrol officers, and armourers, will at last see their roles reflected in a formal rank structure, which could mark a turning point, said the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) on Friday. Popcru President Thulani Ngwenya described a joint meeting in Pretoria with the Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, and the SAPS leadership as a milestone in South Africa's criminal justice landscape. Ngwenya said the largest union in the criminal justice cluster, Popcru, was instrumental in securing a host of reforms aimed at improving working conditions, addressing rank stagnation, and boosting morale across the police service. He said this included the scrapping of the controversial expeditious dismissal process, new promotion pathways for officers and civilian staff, and the reopening of enlistment for experienced former members. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Mchunu discussed issues related to human resources in the police and strategies for improvement. He said that in April, the SAPS convened the National Policing Summit under the theme: Efficiency In Action: Optimising South Africa's Policing Potential. 'The summit brought together key stakeholders and role-players in policing and crime prevention. From it emerged a number of outcomes which are already being implemented. I want to assure the public that we will keep them informed on our progress every step of the way.' According to Ngwenya: 'This day marks the halfway point of a long-fought struggle to reclaim the dignity so often denied to public protectors who serve at the coalface, safeguarding our nation against a violent criminal element. For the first time, police management and labour shared a single platform to give the country a line-by-line account of changes coming to the SAPS.' Ngwenya added that an enduring pain point for police officials has been the controversial expeditious dismissal regulations that allowed for the abuse of disciplinary procedures to unfairly punish officers. The union has criticised the expeditious process for undermining the principles of natural justice, bypassing fair hearings, and fast-tracking the dismissal of members without due process. 'This flawed and biased system has now been discontinued, ensuring that officers will not be dismissed without a proper hearing and a reasoned decision,' he said. The SAPS is further finalising a promotion pathway for officers who have gone 20, 24, or 28 years without promotion. The union has repeatedly drawn attention to the fact that the lack of regular promotion opportunities drained morale and loyalty, as members felt their dedication was not recognised. Ngwenya welcomed the number of 30,393 officers who have been appointed in the past three years, but cautioned that far more police officers are needed. 'South Africa's criminal element is growing faster than the SAPS can manage. While appointing 11,000 units this and next year is a good start, we need more than double that to catch up," he said. Ngwenya said that Popcru has also successfully pushed the SAPS to review the scarce-skills benefits offered to members with specialised expertise – including hostage negotiators, divers, airborne units, coastal skippers, and vessel handlers. The union again highlighted a mass exodus of highly skilled officers to better-paying jobs as evidence that the SAPS must improve incentives. The National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, said that between 2018 and 2023, more than 57,000 police officers have progressed to higher ranks. These promotions include: Constable to Sergeant: 35,639 Sergeant to Warrant Officer: 6,107 Warrant Officer Band 1 to Warrant Officer B2: 15,405
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.'
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.
