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POPCRU 8th National Congress, 15th-19th June 2015
Held at Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre,
Durban, Kwazulu Natal
Declaration
Foreword
The POPCRU 8th National Congress which brought together the National Office
Bearers, Provincial Office Bearers, Officials, Locals and members from
various institutions around the country within the Criminal Justice. We
convened here from the 15th to the 19th of June 2015 at the Inkosi Albert
Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban - KwaZulu Natal
representing almost 160 000.
We, convened this historic 8th national congress at the time of celebrating
our 25th year of existence within the Criminal Justice under the theme
"Transforming the Criminal Justice Cluster in defence of the working Class
struggle for the advancement of the National Democratic Revolution"
acknowledging the most critical role that we have to play in pursuance of a
more radical change towards the second phase of transition in the country.
We are mindful of the fact that transforming the criminal justice is
necessary as we continuously seek to advance the National Democratic
Revolution [NDR].
We gathered here at a very crucial time in the history of a trade union
movement is confronted with massive restructuring at various workplaces
where workers are faced with massive retrenchments, casualisation,
employment of illegal vulnerable immigrant workers and labour brokerage
against the working class in the 30 years of neo-liberalism.
We were inspired by the pioneers of POPCRU since its inception in 1989 and
the continued revolutionary and transformative role we continue to assert in
the South African Police Service, Correctional Services and the Traffic
component, wherein we are organising, mobilising and fighting for our
membership conditions of work.
We were joined and welcomed by the KZN MEC for Economic Development, Tourism
& Environmental Affairs - Mr Michael Mabuyakhulu and inspired by messages of
support from the Minister of Transport Dipuo Peters, the General Secretary
of the SACP Blade Nzimande, the COSATU President - Sidumo Dlamini,
international union representatives from Mauritius, World Federation of
Trade Unions in Athens, CTC from Cuba, NPB from Netherlands, Bopeu in
Botswana, Leposa in Lesotho, from DRC, ICPRA representative from New
Zealand, Minister of Police - Honourable Nkosinathi Nhleko, Political
Analysts from Academia, Safer South Africa Foundation, Commissioners from
SAPS and Correctional Service.
We gathered here after four [04] years since our last 7th national congress
convened in Mangaung - Bloemfontein in 2011. We are now bigger, stronger and
united than ever before as we pursue the working class struggle within the
Criminal Justice. We are certain that POPCRU remains a beacon of hope to
Correctional, Police and Traffic Officers and it is the only available
vehicle to champion the course of these workers in South Africa and
elsewhere in the World.
The 8th national congress reflected extensively on the most pertinent issues
affecting ordinary members and the society at large ranging from
organisational, political, socio-economic factors and international. Our
analogy through the deliberations is that transformation of the Criminal
Justice can no longer be delayed anymore and we concede that the National
Democratic Revolution remains the only direct route to socialism.
We re-affirm POPCRU's 7th national congress resolution on building the
Alliance. The Alliance is the only reliable structure to advance the NDR and
to rally the entire society towards attaining the National Democratic
Society.
We further re-affirm that the unity of POPCRU, COSATU, SACP and the ANC is
sanctified and that the SACP remains and should forever remain the vanguard
of the working class and the poor. This 8th national congress calls on the
strengthening of the alliance in pursuance of the second radical transition.
We note the most critical political role played by members and the entire
leadership of POPCRU during the turmoil within the federation. We re-affirm
the COSATU's CEC resolutions on the dismissal of both NUMSA and its former
General Secretary - Zwelinzima Vavi. We declare that the unity of the
Federation can never be compromised by organisations and/ or individuals,
who have ulterior ideological motives to weaken, destroy and divide the
unity of the working class.
We re-affirm our 2014 CEC resolution in support of ANC election mobilisation
campaigns and the Violet Seboni Brigade towards the 2016 Local government
elections and beyond. Any other political work should be continuously
coordinated within the Violet Seboni Brigade. We have to closely work with
the ANC and Sanco to make tangible impact in ensuring another overwhelming
victory during the coming 2016 local government elections.
We have indeed reflected on the escalating violence and senseless attacks on
Police Officers by criminals in pursuance of their criminal and immoral
deeds which poses a serious threat to social country's safety.
We are coming out of this 8th national congress to vehemently oppose a
unilateral decision taken by the employer to contravene renege a signed wage
agreement and we therefore call upon our membership and all Public Servants
to confront this matter with the urgency it deserves to resolve the impasse.
It is our steadfast conviction to declare and resolve on the following:
1. Building POPCRU
. To revive and strengthen advocacy in institutions through, amongst
others, 'Umrabulo' campaigns that would also target Managers.
. To strengthen political education and consciousness targeting members
at institutional level.
. To develop a retirement preparation programme that would not only focus
on financial planning but re-skilling in preparation for life beyond formal
employment.
That the leadership and members shall at all times confront and nab in the
bud any foreign tendencies from within and outside the Organisation and the
unbecoming tendencies of some former leaders of the movement that may have a
potential to divide the organisation.
We are content that building POPCRU as a strong union movement within the
Criminal Justice requires maximum unity of the working class built on the
basis of worker democracy, collective leadership and membership service.
We declare to defend and protect POPCRU against the new liberal offensive,
opportunistic and divisive characters and to develop our own strategy and
tactics document which will enhance organisational growth over a period of
eight years. With all this in mind we declare:
1.1. People focus and organisational structure
. To enhance capacity at provincial and institution level through a
comprehensive research and need analysis to determine a clear framework;
. To embark on a country-wide empowerment and orientation programme for
newly appointed office bearers and shopstewards within 6 months of their
appointment.
. To embark on a national mass participation and marketing campaign to
conscientise the younger members - a marketing strategy will have to be
developed in the short-term to start with this campaign.
. To revive and strengthen advocacy in institutions through, amongst
others, 'Umrabulo' campaigns that would also target Managers.
. To strengthen political education targeting members at institutional
level.
. To develop a retirement preparation programme that would not only focus
on financial planning but re-skilling in preparation for life beyond formal
employment.
. That the leadership and members shall at all times confront and nab in
the bud any foreign tendencies from within and outside the Organisation and
the unbecoming tendencies of former leaders of the movement that have a
potential to divide the organization.
1.2. Membership service
. We re-affirm that a POPCRU member is still our Priority and that
membership service is key.
. That we will do everything in our power to expose all managers who
deliberately destabilize, victimise and cause labour unrest at various
institutions and centres where we organise.
. That we shall continue at all times to abide by the organisation's
policies to manage and account for the union's resources without failure.
1.3. Systems and processes
. To strengthen the current internal communication strategies and ensure
that we have a working mechanism to our members by investing in an
alternative media channel on radio and TV to create a platform for
information sharing and political education.
. To enhance internal capacity for mandating processes for negotiators to
improve operational efficiency.
1.4. Policy development and interaction
. POPCRU should deliberately deploy comrades to the statutory bodies in
the Criminal Justice Cluster to influence policy and transformation.
. The discourse on a single bargaining structure for the cluster must be
re-opened and taken to the political level for engagement. This will also be
in line with the Polokwane ANC Congress Resolution on a 'Single Police
Service'.
. In support of the alliance driving the National Democratic Revolution,
it is imperative to initiate discussions on the review of Chapter 9
Institutions to ensure transformation.
1.5. Community participation and involvement
In order to fulfil its social transformation obligation, POPCRU must be
visible in communities by partnering with progressive organisations to drive
community projects, celebration and commemoration of national and
international events or days.
1.6. Socio-economic transformation
Having regard to the growing socio-economic challenges facing the country,
we noted that black people control only 3% of the JSE listed companies and
hence the economy, which is an insult to the martyrs that died for freedom.
Black people have been systematically exploited and oppressed economically
and South Africa now has one of the world's most unequal patterns of
distribution of income and wealth.
We further declare:
. That all COSATU affiliates in the public sector should advocate to
re-direct the Government Employees Pension Fund [GEPF] and Public Service
Corporation [PIC] operations and functioning to be in the forefront for
advancement and radical transformation of the South African economy.
. To mobilise all COSATU affiliates in the private sector to advocate for
and campaign that their respective retirement's funds should be at the
forefront of funding infrastructure development projects in South Africa. In
approaching this task, the GEPF and PIC laws must be immediately attended to
for immediate amendment.
. That POPCRU must develop a practical programme towards the
establishment of a first Workers Bank in South Africa.
. That POPCRU must develop a programme of consolidating the efforts of
government in prioritising agriculture as a means towards ending poverty and
ensuring food security to the masses of our people.
2. Political
. We adopt the comprehensive secretariat report and the political
overview of the president, presented to the 8th congress, its detailed
political analysis and its intended resolution.
. We reaffirm historical strategic relationship of the role the alliance
between ANC, SACP and COSATU played over the years and continues to play in
transforming the lives of the poorest of the poor to the better. This
strategic relationship of the alliance is beneficial to the working class
and therefore must be jealously guarded.
. We re-affirm our 7th National Congress resolution for COSATU to
disaffiliate from International Trade Union Confederation [ITUC] and
affiliation to World Federation of Trade Unions [WFTU] be speeded up.
2.1. Security of the country
. The regulation of the private security industry should be strengthened.
The Private Security Industry Regulation Act as amended and adopted in 2014
should be enacted by the President. This should also look at vetting those
employed by the security companies.
. Government should stop using private security in securing its
buildings.
. Re-integrate the private prisons into government. [e.g. prisons run by
G4S which is a private security company].
. We further re-affirm the ANC Polokwane resolution on having all Police
agencies under one Command.
2.2. Migration vs Xenophobia
. That we condemn by all means the attack on foreign nationals that are
in the country.
. That the challenges related to lack of control of illegal immigrants is
a serious threat to the security of the country and as an ingredient to
criminality and xenophobic attacks.
. That there should be stricter control of immigrants and visitors to the
country.
. The department of Home Affairs should be capacitated in order for it to
be able to deal with migration and alleged corruption at all Ports of entry.
2.3. Non - Governmental Organisations [NGOs]
. That the existence of and operations of these NOGs in the country
should be seriously scrutinised.
. That their real ideological agenda which is directed at weakening and
dislodging the current government should be exposed.
. We must look at the source of funding for these NGOs and that the
agency tasked with regulating NGOs should be strengthened.
2.4. Security of State information
. That State information must be adequately secured in order to ensure
that it is not exposed to external forces.
. That protection of information at the disposal of the State and the
partnership between the banks and the Department of Home Affairs should be
re-looked.
. That the signing of the Protection of Information Bill must be
promulgated into law. As we move towards the COSATU National Congress, we
should advance this position at the level of the federation for the
immediate review of the initial position.
. That community participation should be enhanced in the security of the
country, crime prevention and reform of the criminal justice.
. That there should a better mechanism to ensure appropriate management
of community protests and better response by the criminal justice and
national security agency.
2.5. Power and influence of the media
. That GCIS should be strengthened.
. That we should engage and campaign against the use of these hostile
media houses by government for advertising and other businesses.
. We re-affirm the previous COSATU resolution on the need for a left
alternative - a worker owned and controlled media.
. That the SACP be strengthened in terms of funding to establish its own
media ownership and resuscitate the discussion on Media tribunal.
. That we will join forces together with the SACP to lead a programme of
media transformation.
3. The Unity of the Federation - COSATU
We the delegates to this 8th national congress rejects any form of attack
waged against our federation - COSATU and declare further declare:
. That we have capacity to defend and protect the unity and cohesion of
our beloved federation to the bitter end and that the unity of the
federation is sacrosanct.
. That we will together with other progressive COSATU affiliates, develop
strategies and tactics to unite all workers and that we will not run the
federation through Courts and waste the little resources at our disposal.
. That we will fully participate in the coming Special national congress
convened for July 2015 in order to advance the working class unity and that
the leadership must remain resolute in enforcing discipline.
. That the decision to accept LIMUSA as an affiliate organising metal
workers was correct and progressive.
4. International solidarity
. That we pledge solidarity with the people and workers of the countries
that are currently experiencing Western driven wars that disrupt normal
life.
. That all countries of the world are sovereign and have a right to
maintain it without any interference from the Western powers.
. That we fully support the participation and membership of SA into the
BRICS and the efforts made to establish a Development Bank.
. We re-affirm that our programme to unionise the SADC region to continue
in order to free the majority of Police officers from exploitation.
5. Conclusion
As we conclude this historic 8th national congress, we come out as united as
ever to continue to build a strong POPCRU for a united and a strong COSATU -
our beloved federation.
We commit ourselves that the resolutions taken in this 8th national congress
will be communicated to the entire structures and membership of POPCRU.
A POPCRU MEMBER IS OUR PRIORITY
Amandla!
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