Jali 'too expensive' - Popcru

2004-05-14 16:13

Johannesburg - The Jali Commission is costing the taxpayer over R1 million a day, the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union said on Friday, repeating its call for the commission to be disbanded.

Popcru spokesperson Pat Ntsobi said the commission into prison maladministration was costing a million rand a day and was "prepared to do anything to prolong its existence".

Ntsobi said the commission was now interfering with the day-to-day running of the department, which was outside its mandate.

"They have recently made a recommendation to have overtime in the Department of Correctional Services scrapped, alleging that it is open to abuse."

Earlier reports incorrectly stated that the union had made the call for overtime to be scrapped.

"Popcru is disturbed by such recommendations from the commission as they have no right to tamper with collective agreements signed between organised labour and management, of which overtime is one," Ntsobi said.

"Many posts are not filled in the department of correctional services and people are acting because there is no money, the money is spent on the commission. The honourable Jali wants overtime to be scrapped so that the money can go to him."

While Popcru supported the rooting out of corruption in the public service, it believed that the time had come for the commission to wrap up its business and allow departmental management to deal with management challenges, Ntsobi said.

- SAPA