POPCRU’s 21st Anniversary-Why it matters for Heritage Month? The September month is a necessary month for all South Africans to reflect on the legacy of the past, the challenges of the present and craft high resolves for the future. A ‘nation’ is never something that can be finalized with a single definition at a specific moment. This concept ‘a nation’ warrants to be re-visited on the basis on the ‘dhubhula bhunu saga’ because nation building will become vague and a mockery if the ruling is to be upheld! In our own revolution, we cannot simply cut ourselves off from the realities of the international situation or indulge in demagogic rhetoric. But developments of a capitalist beneficiation mode and the ‘tenderized’ economy over the last years, have underlined the imperative of systematically charting our own strategic course as much as possible, building on our strength, and tackling the difficulties head on. And workers in these processes have been economically brutalized, with more sweats yet toiling for crumps! Trade Unionism; a shield and ‘womb’ for the liberation struggle When POPCRU was formed on the 05th November 1989 by almost twelve police and correctional officers, it was felt the execution of law was unjust, with repressive means fully employed by the Botha regime which came into power in 1978. Their [regime] actions were primarily sparked by pure hatred for communists, whose role added the necessary oomph, to make the oldest liberation movement-the ANC, to take the National Democratic Revolution to greater heights until today. The formation of POPCRU was hailed as “the landmark event; introducing police and prisons Unionism to South Africa, and the continent. The organization was embraced across the country by progressive prison warders and police officers, sparking a David and Goliath struggle with the racist, authoritarian and violent apartheid state”, and that had a profound influence on the negotiations and transition to democracy through a negotiated settlement, with many compromises such as the ‘sunset clause’. State-led violence against the masses was resisted even within the ranks of the security forces in particular. Such powerful memories related to the call by the founder member of POPCRU Cde Gregory when he said “our people have been oppressed enough. It’s time somebody comes forward and speaks about police brutality. There are hundreds of policemen like me, who see their credibility in the communities they serve undermined by the actions of riot police. But they are scared to talk because regulations bind them.I’m not willing for the regulations to bind me any further. I’m defying them”. Racism, discrimination, ill-treat of black officers was rife; with many of these officers sleeping in one-bedroom hostels while their white counterparts were enjoying the luxury of home comfort. No wonder the former Secretary-General of the African National Congress when interviewed in SOWETO, he said “I hope POPCRU will develop and snow-ball. I hope more and more policemen will join this union for human rights for police because they are humans, who need their rights protected like everybody’s”. Unionization within all sectors was fermented, with teachers union also being formed during the early 1990’s. Resistance and defiance against the regime was rife, with more consumer boycotts the name of the game. Such boycotts were characterized by revolutionary songs such Somlandel’ uMandela, Dhubhula Bhunu, Siyaya ePitoli, Senzeni naa! etc. Farting and/or spitting on such oral history through courts as per the recent Equality Court ruling, may rewind those dark days in which a police van or valiant was associated with abduction, torture, murder, assassination and/or executions, orchestrated by the apartheid system, to undermine efforts for the struggle for liberation. However the difficulties, Trade Unions became the shield and a ‘womb’ in which people’s resistance was ushered. Many workers defied sjambooks, teargazes, shootings and murder to join trade unions as it was clear that they were the only shield in particular with the banning of the ANC and the South African Communist Party [SACP]. This view is vividly confirmed by an analysis provided which alluded to a fact that “It is common knowledge that the 1980’s and 1990’s have been difficult periods for trade union around the world. These decades were a time of retreat for unions, as Neo-Liberal governments came into power in many countries and implemented union-bashing policies….over the period 1985 to 1995 South Africa’s Unions were the fastest growing in the world. Unionization rates increased by 131%.this stands in stark contrast to the decline of union movements in most other countries, some of which have declined dramatically” [Naledi, Unions in Transition, 1999, pp 20] Undeterred, in 1993 the new police labour legislation was promulgated which allowed for the recognition of police union in South Africa for the first time. This legislation provided also a framework for collective bargaining within the security cluster. These labour rights were further guaranteed when the police were included in the new 1995 labour relations act. In accordance to this act, members will enjoy the right to freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining, however, they do not have the right to strike as they are deemed to render essential services. Today officers can influence in decision-making processes, a far cry from their situation during the apartheid times, where officer were treated as automatons of the state, lacking rights and were expected to respond unquestioningly to management and governmental ill-conceived commands. In 1997 POPCRU affiliated to the Congress of South Africa Trade Unions [COSATU], a rare phenomenon on the basis that officers were still regarded as ‘state apparatus’. POPCRU sent a letter to COSATU applying for affiliation to the Labour Federation. And the former General Secretary of COSATU, Cde Jay Naidoo when asked about this development he said “COSATU regards Warders and Police men as workers and supports their unionization. But the exact process of how POPCRU will fit into COSATU will have to be discussed with the Union and a decision will have to be taken by the constitutional structures of COSATU”. And the rest is history! Some refreshing memoirs There was a time in 1997 when POPCRU issued a statement to its membership to communicate, fill in official documents and take statements in their mother tongue. This came after members were summarily discharged, purely orchestrated by racist tendencies disguised under ‘command and control’. The campaign resulted in delays in courts as interpreters were sought to translate the dockets. Words such as tonnel etc. are still popular within the sector which still paints the heritage in this country. Many officers were compromised, with many charged for not smiling to the commander. Promotions were highly influenced by ‘hallo effect and pigmentation bias’ and transformation were still a foreign language within the corridors of power.’ Divide-and-rule strategy was rife that racial tensions were visible by the naked eye. Many toilets were literally closed for other officers to perpetuate all the apartheid stereotypes, with resource allocation biased to other grouping than the other. The Human Rights Commission commented around 1998 that “SAPS hierarchy had not even begun to understand what racism was about. That after five years when nelson Mandela had vowed that for each the body, the mind and the soul had been freed to fulfil themselves, nothing was visible with them”. The challenge today emanating from experiences of apartheid-led imposition of Afrikaans in all state institutions, is to inoculate within our society the usage of all officials must be enhanced in all spheres, to enable the citizenry to access justice, access primary education etc. And people like Chief Justice Magoeng Magoeng must come handy on access to justice barred by language of justice. Language is a heritage which provides manure to preserve culture through oral preservation of stories on how we have originated. POPCRU is our country’s heritage! Today, we are proud to have POPCRU as a progressive Trade Union within the Criminal Justice [Security Establishment], with more than 150 000 membership enjoying full Labour Rights. Rights won through courage, sacrifices and determination in the quest for justice for all. A flourishing organization fully recognized since 1994 as a Trade Union and registered with the Department of Labour and with hegemonic participation in Bargaining Councils, to better the working conditions of members in particular and consolidate working class power in general. POPCRU has embraced an international outlook which says the attainment of social and political rights for security services employees is not only important in South Africa, but should be achieved in the rest of the Southern African Region and beyond the boundaries. What we have recently observed in Malawi, Swaziland, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Angola where police officers are still used by the state as buffer zones and/or ‘dogs of war’ against the citizens and/or workers, must be deplored. Coordinating a network of these workers will go a long way in cementing the International Labour Organization [ILO] Universal Rights; the Right to Freedom of Association and the Right to Organize. Looking ahead from now Our history, our heritage has taught us great lessons which must be preserved for future generation in general and building a strong, credible, vibrant and progressive Trade Union Movement is on course. There might be unintentional detours but they should never make us to be defocused on attaining a National Democratic Society, in which equality of all citizens, living side by side in harmony, with sustainable tranquillity within and amongst our people and social cohesion of all nations, shall reign. Building one strong Union within Criminal Justice to enhance a credible force as part of consolidating working class power, should be pursued. Trade Unions indeed are our heritage! Issued by: Mampane Norman National Spokesperson Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union Tel: 0112424600/4615 Cell: 0720737959 Email: [email protected] www.popcru.org.za 01 Marie Road Auckland Park 2006
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