POPCRU Members Under Attack at Baviaanspoort Correctional Centre

POPCRU Members Under Attack at Baviaanspoort Correctional Centre

By Noko Maleka | Insight Jozi News | Pretoria, South Africa — October 29, 2025



A tense standoff has unfolded at the Baviaanspoort Correctional Centre in Pretoria, where members of the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) are protesting what they describe as a campaign of intimidation and repression by senior officials within the Department of Correctional Services (DCS).

The demonstration, taking place along Cullinan Road, follows weeks of rising discontent among correctional officers. POPCRU members say they have endured unlawful suspensions, harassment of shop stewards, and the unilateral imposition of a controversial shift system — a matter that remains before the labour dispute council.

According to POPCRU, instead of engaging with workers to resolve their concerns, Area Commissioner Khoza — who oversees both Kgoshi Mampuru and Baviaanspoort Correctional Centres — has chosen to escalate tensions. Protesters report that several union members have been arrested during what was intended to be a peaceful protest.

“Our members are being victimised for standing up for their rights,” POPCRU stated. “This abuse of authority cannot continue. We call for the immediate cessation of these anti-worker tactics and for the reinstatement of fair labour practices within the Department.”

The unrest at Baviaanspoort underscores deep-rooted tensions between management and organised labour within South Africa’s correctional services — where workers have long complained of excessive workloads, unsafe conditions, and the erosion of collective bargaining rights.

Labour analysts warn that if the current standoff continues, it could disrupt operations at key correctional centres and deepen mistrust between employees and senior management.

POPCRU has called on the Department of Correctional Services and relevant government authorities to intervene urgently, restore dialogue, and prevent further escalation of the conflict.


Insight Jozi News delivers in-depth reporting on labour rights, governance, and social justice in South Africa.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Ward 63 Councillor Arrested for Assault Amid Community Uproar"

Image
"Hidden Fist of Hillbrow: Ward 63 Councillor Arrested for Assault Amid Community Uproar" By Noko Mabofa Maleka | Insight Jozi News Hillbrow — a Johannesburg inner-city neighborhood plagued by crime, drug abuse, and urban decay — was thrown into further disarray following the dramatic arrest of Ward 63 ANC Councillor, Xolani Khumalo, for allegedly assaulting a community member during a public registration event. The June 2025 incident has ignited public outrage and shed light on a deepening leadership crisis in one of the city's most neglected wards. Eyewitnesses at the scene reported that Councillor Khumalo abruptly attempted to shut the gate of the registration venue one minute before official closing time, with community members still outside attempting to enter. His actions sparked immediate confrontation from Mzwandile "Ngema" Nzuza, a local activist known for his vocal stance on transparency and justice. What followed, according to multiple sources, was sho...
Read more

From the Struggle to the Spotlight: The Inspiring Journey of Cookie Kgaphola-Maleka

Image
From the Struggle to the Spotlight: The Inspiring Journey of Cookie Kgaphola-Maleka By Noko Mabofa Maleka – Insight Jozi News Behind the bold lipstick, high heels, and trending TV moments is a story of courage, resilience, and unmatched reinvention. Kukie Tjeo Kgaphola-Maleka , widely known as Cookie , is not just the stylish breakout star of Sugar Mamas Johannesburg on DStv Channel 157 – she is a woman who has lived many lives, each one shaped by history, heartbreak, and hope.  A Revolutionary at 17 Born on 24 December 1966 in Ga-Sekhukhune , Limpopo, Cookie carries royal blood. Her mother hails from the Nkadimaeng clan , a family with deep roots and cultural significance. But Cookie’s life was never about privilege – it was about purpose . At just 17 years old, her activism during apartheid made her a wanted youth. Hunted by the regime, she hid in the mountains for three months , surviving the wilderness with the will of a warrior. Reinvention in the City of Gold Escapi...
Read more

TRICKED INTO PORN: 20-YEAR-OLD SOUTH AFRICAN WOMAN SAYS FAKE MODEL AUDITION LURED HER INTO ADULT VIDEO

Image
TRICKED INTO PORN: 20-YEAR-OLD SOUTH AFRICAN WOMAN SAYS FAKE MODEL AUDITION LURED HER INTO ADULT VIDEO By Noko Maleka | Insight Jozi News A 20-year-old South African woman has come forward with disturbing allegations that she was tricked into appearing in a pornographic video after being lured with what she believed was a legitimate modelling audition. The woman has confirmed that she is the individual seen in a video linked to a platform operating under the name “African Casting”, a channel hosted on a well-known international adult website. The channel presents itself as a casting or audition platform — a format critics say is designed to mislead, manipulate and exploit young women, particularly those facing unemployment and financial hardship. According to her account, what was sold to her as an opportunity to enter the entertainment industry turned into a pornographic recording, without proper explanation, lawful consent or clear contractual agreement. “I Thought It Was a Real M...
Read more