POPCRU stands by charged SAPS officers charged over the Marikana tragedy

12 December 2016  

The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) has noted the update by President Zuma on steps taken by departments to implement Farlam Commission recommendations in response to the regrettable and tragic eventualities that befell Marikana four years ago, where both striking miners and police officers lost their lives.

We further note that there are criminal charges laid against several police officials for various accusations. We want to categorically state that we stand by those accused police officials and if the South African Police Service (SAPS) does not represent them, we will. The principle of innocent until proven guilty should respectively be observed in this matter.

We remain hopeful that the Police Ministerial Transformation Task Team’s review of all SAPS policies and operational standards that disadvantage police officers’ working environment, living conditions and career progression will be adequately addressed in improving the overall functionality of this important component, and that mining companies across the board increase their efforts in improving the needs of their employees. We currently have a situation where almost all mining profits are transferred abroad while worker conditions are not prioritised.

Issued by Richard Mamabolo, Media and Communications Officer, POPCRU, 12 December 2016