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Popcru between Selebi, Nqakula
14/07/2003 22:22 - (SA)
Adriaan Basson, Beeld
Pretoria - A war of words erupted between the offices of the police commissioner and the minister of safety and security when none of them wanted to react to the country's largest police trade union's complaints on Monday.
The Police and Prisons' Civil Rights Union (Popcru) handed over memoranda to the departments of correctional services (DCS) and safety and security after a march in which about 8 000 members took part two weeks ago.
In the memoranda they called for improved salaries, more transformation in both departments and the freedom to choose a medical aid of their choice.
Pat Ntsobi, spokesperson for Popcru, said they've already had a "minor meeting" with the DCS, but have not heard a word from the police.
"We are getting no co-operation from the police. There is no communication and we are concerned about the police's lack of management in not addressing the issue."
That is why Popcru's national executive will meet over the weekend to discuss "bigger actions".
Director Sally de Beer, spokesperson for Commissioner Jackie Selebi, referred queries to the department of safety and security because the memorandum had been addressed to them.
Les Mgcina, spokesperson for Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula said the memorandum contained "administrative" grievances and had therefore been referred to Selebi's office.
He was upset to learn that the national commissioner's office considered it the department's responsibility to react to the Popcru memorandum. "They will not push it down on us. The issue is relevant to the commissioner."
De Beer later said she would speak to Deputy Commissioner Marla Singh to find out whether she had given attention to the union's grievances.
Singh, the head of police human resources, sent a letter to all police stations shortly before the march, calling the protest action a "strike" and banning officers from taking leave to take part in it.
A day before the march, the labour court turned down an urgent application by the police to have the march declared a strike.
One of the posters carried during the march read: "Malicious Marla Singh lacks vision".
- Beeld
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