Correctional Services National Commissioner (NC), Makgothi Thobakgale was greeted by endearing ululations and boisterous singing as he ascended the stage to address delegates at the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting held at Birchwood Hotel on 6 November 2024.
In his remarks, NC Thobakgale reaffirmed a clear stance of the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) on championing workers’ rights and the importance of cultivating and maintaining a healthy relationship between the DCS and organised labour.
“As the DCS, we are aware of the issues that are affecting our colleagues and, in many instances, affecting their health. One of those issues is the shortage of staff. The concerns raised by our colleagues and labour movement have been attended to,” he said.
NC Thobakgale said that DCS is committed to transforming workers’ lives through sound labour relations. “Transformation remains a strategic point for growth, especially because we are a department in the security cluster. The work that we do in building sound labour relations is vital and is central to our commitment to foster a conducive working environment for our members,” he explained. He also assured the CEC that DCS will continue its role to diligently contribute towards public safety, offender rehabilitation and upholding the rule of law. He further lauded the partnership and role of POPCRU, saying that it is immensely valuable in the fight against crime, and the rehabilitation of offenders.
According to the National Commissioner, DCS has made positive progress in addressing the longstanding challenge of the shift pattern. He also added that there has been thorough consultations between management and employees with a view to find common ground on the preferred shift pattern. “We have shared views and given a report back to the CEC in terms of what we are doing to improve the working conditions of our employees,” he added.
As alluded to by the National Commissioner, the widespread outcry by the public and fermenting worrying perception that parolees are major catalysts in the ever-increasing crime statistics remain a bitter pill to swallow. “We have raised external challenges that affect our work environment. Amongst others, we have raised that the DCS is managing a population of over 156 000 offenders with a staff complement of not more than 37 000. Of the total workforce, those who are supposed to do security work is less than 17 000. In short, we raised the issue that we are under resourced,” NC further explained. Notwithstanding these challenges, NC Thobakgale encouraged DCS staff to turn adversity into triumph.
He also said he addressed several issues at the meeting which included progress on the appointment of additional learners who are supposed to join DCS at entry level as Correctional Officials; Promotional Policy focusing on how far the department is in terms of implementing the policy; continued motivation to the National Treasury for a budget allocation which will meet the requirements of DCS and enable the department to continue executing its mandate.
POPCRU President, Thulani Ngwenya said POPCRU is appreciative of the DCS Management for its commitment towards bettering the lives of workers. “Due to the stance by DCS to champion workers’ rights, as POPCRU, we pledge our support to the DCS. We will fight side-by-side with the DCS to realise the objectives set,” added Ngwenya.
POPCRU’s central executive committee meeting is the highest decision-making body between congresses, with the primary mandate to develop, review and refine policies that directly impact its members — which include addressing issues related to working conditions, salaries, benefits and job security within the criminal justice cluster.