The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union Popcru has expressed contempt for the Democratic Alliance's DA remarks regarding Popcrus alleged interference in disciplinary proceedings against VIP Protection Unit members assigned to Deputy President, Paul Mashatile .
Popcru says it rejects the DAs attempt to disgrace organized labour and mislead the public for political gain. It says this is a distortion of Popcrus legitimate role as a trade union.
The union says in a statement it does not dictate or interfere with SAPS disciplinary processes, which are governed by labour legislation, South African Police Service SAPS codes, and collective agreements.
"We remind the DA that fair process is not a privilege-it is a constitutional guarantee. It is enshrined in the very Labour Relations Act that the DA has historically tried to dismantle. Their newfound love for accountability rings hollow against their track record of union-bashing, disdain for collective rights, and attempts to turn law enforcement officers into disposable pawns," explains POPCRU spokesperson, Richard Mamabolo.
He says that if the DA truly respected the law, they would stop playing judge, jury and executioner in press statements, and allow SAPS and its internal systems to run their course.
