POPCRU REJECTS THE IMPRUDENT IMPOSITION OF THE RE-MILITARIZATION TO OUR MEMBERS AND THE WORKING CLASS IN GENERAL
The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) deplores the disingenuous and abhorable manner in which the Ministry of Police and in particular the aspirant General National, Bheki Cele is handling the current impasse around the re-militarization of the police services. As POPCRU we have in the past months being deprived to engage on this matter despite the empty promises by both the Minister and the aspirant General, and we are not in any manner impressive by their bulldozing attitude in which they have approached this matter.
Whilst processes are still being fermented in the SSSBC, Parliamentary Portfolio Committee and Parliament Study Group on policing already the National Commissioner is insisting to be addressed as a General, and also implanting the military ranks as of the 01st April 2010. In our view, this must be a process matter whereby all stakeholders must be consulted, and Bheki Cele was appointed as a National Commissioner in terms of the provision of our Constitution. The implication is that the amendments will entail the Constitution of the country should also be changed to accommodate the military ranks whilst it undermines our constitutional tenacity. In our view tendencies of re-militarization will spill over to affect Correctional Services.
POPCRU having engaged its members through its structures ,We agreed on the following actions to enhance our program to ensure that our constitutional supremacy is not eroded by the aspirant general within our ranks and resolved amongst others on;
· POPCRU categorically opposes any form of re-militarization of the Police Service.
· POPCRU will be making presentations to the Public Protector and the Human Rights Commission to highlight the clear erosion of a participatory democracy we so much respect and want to protect;
· That Legislative Changes if so wished to be made; must come through proper processes of public hearings if the aspirant general so wishes than a meeting and/or convention of Station Commissioners as was convened at Pretoria around 2009;
· That the Portfolio Committee on Police should be seen to take charge of its oversight role in this matter of great national interest;
· That all Stakeholders; Labour; Non-Governmental Organizations; Faith-Based Organization, Alliance Partners and Progressive Community-Based Organization must collaborate to oppose this negative development in our lifetime which allows the marginalization of all to participate on issues of policing in our different communities across the country;
· We will be marching to Luthuli House, ANC Headquarters to request immediate intervention; and
· POPCRU calls all its members and the Civil Society to oppose the re-militarization of the police service.
POPCRU maintains that rules of engagement of this important matter should be explored to the latter for the benefit of enhancing community policing model as a viable mechanisms to curb crime; as part of our Election Manifesto; and as a Government imperative.
Statement issued by Mampane Norman, POPCRU National Spokesperson, March 30 2010
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