Mduduzi ka Harvey
THE Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) has split, amid accusations that the leadership has given undue priority to police issues, misused union money and failed to resolve internal problems.
The newly formed breakaway group, the Correctional Officers Union of South Africa (Cousa) — launched last week by prison staffers and officials — claims to have 1 500 signed-up members. Seven members of the executive of eight held senior positions in Popcru.
The union’s publicity secretary, Kenneth Mthombeni, said foot-dragging by Popcru and “an indifferent attitude towards the plight of prison workers” had led to the split.
He said problems started during the 1990 Eastern Cape Popcru strike when policemen and warders were dismissed: “When negotiations for the reinstatement of the officers took place Popcru was more concerned about the police,” said Mthombeni.
Last month Safety and Security Minister Sydney Mufamadi re- enlisted 51 of the striking policemen, while Correctional Services Minister Sipho Mzimela was unwilling to follow suit.
Mthombeni dismissed a pledge last month by Popcru’s secretary general Nkane Mqwathi that the union would demand a meeting with Mzimela. “We have heard nothing about this issue. Our colleagues are still unemployed. Popcru has failed them,” he said.
Referring to Mufamadi’s formation of a committee to look into restructuring and promotions in the police service, Mthombeni said: “There have been calls for Popcru to pressurise Mzimela to do the same, but this has been all in vain. Nothing has been done for prisons”.
There is also mounting concern about alleged misuse of union dues. Each member pays R15 and Popcru’s membership is estimated at 30 000.
Members say they were astounded by Mqwathi’s decision to buy a Camry luxury car, which they claim is for his personal use. “We would understand if a Microbus was bought — it would be more practical to transport members,” Mthombeni said.
Members have also accused Mqwathi of buying an expensive house in Berea under the guise that it is a “guest house” for Popcru visitors while he is actually using it himself.
“We are also bothered by the fact that the leadership decided to buy new offices for themselves instead of fixing regional offices, where there are serious problems,” Mthombeni said.
Claims were also levelled against the administrators of the union: Popcru members employed by the government were also getting a salary for working part-time at the head office. “At regional level it is unheard of to get a salary. We had to use our own cars and money to do Popcru business,” said Mthombeni.
Tensions intensified in June when Popcru sent a delegation of 10 to Denmark. Said Mthombeni: “We were promised an allowance of R1 500 each for our stay there and assured that our visas would be paid for, but when we got there we had to pay for ourselves and also pay R75 each for our visas. Up to now we don’t know what happened to the money.”
Mqwathi has denied the allegations. Calling Cousa leaders “a group of undisciplined people who want power”, he said: “The issue of the car and the house was not my unilateral decision. It was the decision of the executive. I am only responsible for them. If someone else is elected then they will take over.”
He added that money offered to Denmark trainees was not in his jurisdiction and that he had no information on the matter. On members’ “double salaries”, he said: “It was decided in the NEC meeting in May that all comrades attached to the national office should get incentives to motivate them. This is just compensation, unless you call R500 a salary.”