Popcru says Jali 'unfair'

2003-05-31 14:13

Johannesburg - The Police and Prison Civil Rights Union (Popcru) has announced that it would not give oral evidence to the Jali Commission into corruption in prisons in future.

Popcru claims its members are being treated unfairly during cross examination.

The union said in a statement on Saturday it decided on the move after its head of bargaining, Nkosinathi Theledi, appeared before the commission earlier this week.

Several Popcru's witnesses were also scheduled to give testimony about the state of the department of correctional services in Gauteng.

"It became evident during Theledi's hearing the commission seems intent on accusing our members of various crimes and misdemeanours where most of the accusations are based on what is clearly hearsay evidence," it said.

The commission was appointed last year by President Thabo Mbeki to investigate corruption in the country's prisons. It has already held public hearings in Durban, Port Elizabeth, Cape Town and Bloemfontein.

Popcru said it was still keen to provide information to the commission, and it would do so by way of a written memorandum.

"It is noted that it will have been far preferable to give oral evidence so as to allow for interaction and debate of various problems experienced in the province."

The union said it did not approve of the way commission evidence leader advocate Vas Soni cross-examined its members.

Soni spoke to Sapa only off-record and referred questions to commission secretary Charles Frank, who was not immediately available for comment.

It is further noted that it was planned for Popcru president Zizamela Cebekhulu to give a wide-ranging presentation before the commission, which now has to be regrettably aborted in light of the latest developments.

This can be regarded as a loss not only to the commission but also to the country as a whole, Popcru added.

- SAPA