Picture: Prisoners at DCS facility
By BAKANG MOKOTO
15 May 2026 – The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) said it unequivocally rejects the reckless and unilateral attempts by the Minister of Correctional Services, Pieter Groenewald, to reintroduce rank insignia and advance the backdoor militarisation of the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) without proper consultation with organised labour. POPCRU said this dangerous regression represents not only an attack on the democratic transformation of correctional services, but also a direct violation of established collective bargaining agreements and labour relations prescripts governing the public service.
POPCRU spokesperson, Richard Mamabolo said they place it on record that at no stage was the union consulted through recognised collective bargaining structures, despite the clear obligations imposed on the employer through signed agreements and labour legislation. Mamabolo said POPCRU further reminds the employer and the Ministry that, in terms of Section 16 of the Labour Relations Act (LRA), organised labour is entitled to all relevant information necessary to facilitate meaningful engagement and effective collective bargaining on matters affecting employees.
“The unilateral pronouncements regarding the reintroduction of rank insignia within DCS therefore constitute a direct affront not only to existing collective agreements, but also to the spirit and prescripts of the Labour Relations Act itself.
“Meaningful engagement cannot occur in the absence of full disclosure, proper consultation processes, and adequate opportunity for labour to engage its membership structures. POPCRU maintains that this matter must immediately be referred back to the Departmental Bargaining Chamber for proper engagement with recognised labour representatives,” he said.
Mamabolo further said any attempt to bypass collective bargaining institutions and impose decisions through administrative directives or media announcements will only deepen tensions within the department and further undermine labour relations stability. He added that labour must be afforded sufficient opportunity to consult with its members across all levels of the department before any policy position of this magnitude is considered for implementation.
“Workers cannot simply be confronted with predetermined outcomes on matters that fundamentally affect workplace identity, organisational structure, career pathing, conditions of service, and the future character of correctional services in a democratic South Africa.
“Furthermore, POPCRU wishes to place on record that the issue of insignia cannot be divorced from the broader structural challenges confronting the department, particularly the current salary structure within DCS, which remains in serious disarray and requires urgent and comprehensive overhaul,” said Mamabolo.
The Guardian 