By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
24 July 2025- The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) said is deeply disturbed by the ongoing state of dysfunction at the Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) in Mpumalanga, which has reached a crisis point due to persistent mismanagement and an alarming disregard for established protocols and the wellbeing of our members. POPCRU said this situation has long been neglected by those entrusted with management responsibilities, particularly individuals occupying acting roles at the head office who have demonstrated clear signs of incompetence and an abuse of authority.
POPCRU representative, Sipho Nkambule said what they are witnessing in the province, particularly in areas such as Acornhoek, are clear patterns of victimisation directed at their members. Nkambule said these are not isolated incidents, but form part of a broader culture of inconsistency, where signed resolutions are either selectively implemented or completely ignored.
“Instead of fair and transparent processes, there is growing evidence of preferential treatment in the allocation of operational duties and filling of vacancies—some of which are earmarked for individuals even before posts are formally advertised, often from Pretoria. Such practices undermine organisational integrity and demoralise hardworking and deserving members.
“Furthermore, the rotation system meant to govern operational deployments has been rendered meaningless, as decisions are made arbitrarily, and any attempt to seek clarity on these uneven practices is met with unwarranted disciplinary action. The weaponisation of discipline to silence legitimate concerns is unacceptable and is in direct contradiction with the principles of fairness and justice that should underpin policing institutions,” he said.
Nkambule further said it is particularly disheartening that despite repeated attempts by POPCRU to raise these issues through proper channels, there has been no meaningful intervention from the Head Office. He added that the human cost of this negligence is grave— their members are subjected to undue stress, working in a toxic environment that has, in some tragic instances, led to preventable loss of life.
“This failure to act decisively and compassionately on such critical issues is a betrayal of duty. POPCRU is left with no option but to demand the immediate intervention of the Divisional National Commissioner. We call on their office to urgently visit the province and address these pressing matters before we are forced to escalate this crisis nationally.
“Further, we call for the removal of the current acting Commander as he is not competent to manage members, and lacks interpersonal skills. Our members deserve leadership that is ethical, responsive, and accountable—not silence in the face of suffering,” said Nkambule.
He said the situation at the Mpumalanga LCRC cannot be allowed to deteriorate any further. Nkambuke said if ignored, they will have no hesitation in mobilising their structures to bring this matter to the forefront of national attention.
“Enough is enough,” he said.
The Guardian 