POPCRU members to stage protest at Pretoria prison over claims of unfair treatment

Members of the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) will stage a protest at the Baviaanspoort Correctional Centre in Pretoria over claims of unfair treatment.

The union said the prison fired their chairperson, Mongezi Makhanya, on Sunday for allegedly inciting POPCRU members not to adhere to new shift patterns, which he denied.

On Tuesday, the unionised prison officials staged a sit-in, demanding that their issues be resolved.

The union also claimed that the shop stewards and other union members were being targeted for victimisation now that their chairperson is no longer in charge.

"Instead of constructively addressing the legitimate concerns of workers, Area Commissioner Khoza, who also oversees Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre, has intensified repression. Disturbingly, our members are now being arrested while engaging in peaceful and lawful protest," said union spokesperson Richard Mamabolo.