A new branch of the South African Police Union (SAPU), established recently at the South African Custodial Management (SACM) at Sinthumule/Kutama maximum prison, was officially launched last Friday evening during an event held in the parking area behind Edgars at Makhado.

The establishment of SAPU at SACM came after the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) failed to address the demands of warders with the prison management during a sensitive strike by prisoners earlier this year, according to the regional chairperson of SAPU in Vhembe, Capt Vhakoma Vho-Thivhulawi Tshilate.

"As the strike was continuing, as SAPU, we took it upon ourselves to intervene in order to calm the situation. We approached the striking warders and assured them that, as SAPU, we could negotiate on their behalf with the management which was arrogant at that time. After our deliberations with the prison management, a mutual agreement to stop the strike while negotiations were continuing was reached. That is how we have strategically calmed the situation at that private correctional facility," he said.

Tshilate said that even if the management is not coming clear on closing the gap between working conditions and employees demands, they have already begun to feel the impact of his union. "We are not just launching this branch; we are on the threshold of a very great victory because already, we are a majority union at Sinthumule/Kutama. This is not an illegal structure; we´ve followed the right procedure with the department and the prison management," he said.

Tshilate concluded by claiming that the provincial traffic police have approached the regional leadership with the view of joining SAPU.

The branch chairperson who congratulated both the regional and national SAPU leadership for the role they´ve played at Sinthumule/Kutama, further indicated that, as warders, they are still subjected to injustice at their workplace. "As chairperson, I want to assure you that we will continue with our struggle at our workplace until such time that our demands are met," he said.

The new SAPU members were addressed by their national deputy president, Mrs Gloria Yeki.

As the branch chairperson, Mashaba is being assisted by Patrick Mashau as his assistant. Ms Tendani Fambe is the branch secretary, while Mr Refiloe Mutshusi is her assistant. The branch is comprised of six more additional members.