The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has slammed reports suggesting that it has failed to address issues of gender-based violence (GBV) within its ranks.
This assertion comes after the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) shed light on a disturbing reality: many officers who are responsible for addressing GBV are themselves victims of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).
Speaking to The Star, DCS spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo articulated the department’s commitment to addressing these critical issues, revealing that numerous discussions have been held with Popcru to tackle the various matters raised by the union.
However, he expressed concern regarding what he described as a divergence in objectives from the union’s Northern Cape representatives.
Last week, Popcru issued a formidable statement, declaring that this year’s 16 Days of Activism campaign occurs against the backdrop of an ‘institutional crisis’ within the Criminal Justice Cluster (CJC), where GBV continues to plague institutions meant to protect citizens.
According to Zamani Mathiso, Popcru provincial chairperson for the Northern Cape, a toxic culture of fear and harassment has taken root in the sector, with many officers feeling endangered rather than secure.
Mathiso remarked: “Our protectors cannot protect while they need protection,” highlighting the systemic issues pervasive within the institution.
“Prejudice, demands for sexual favours, and gross abuses of power are alarmingly widespread,” he added, painting a grim picture of the environment within the sector.
In defence of the department’s track record, Nxumalo asserted that constructive dialogue has occurred on multiple occasions, including meetings with senior representatives of Popcru.
“However,” he stated, “Popcru Northern Cape appears to be adhering to a different agenda, complicating the clarity of their actual objectives.”
He condemned their tactics of intimidation towards specific officials, labelling such behaviour as “troubling and unacceptable”.
Discussing the broader implications of these claims, Nxumalo emphasised that GBV is a serious issue demanding urgent attention, accountability, and meaningful action.
“It is concerning when GBV is misused as a tool to deflect accountability for misconduct unrelated to the issue,” he remarked, stressing the potential harm such actions could inflict on real victims and survivors.
He reiterated the DCS’s dedication to fostering a culture where accountability is upheld at every level and the rights and dignity of each individual are preserved.
“For Popcru in the Northern Cape to leverage GBV for deflection or manipulation is a betrayal of the mission we uphold,” Nxumalo concluded.
He urged national leadership within Popcru to denounce such practices and to work collaboratively toward an environment that prioritises integrity and support for those affected by gender-based violence.
The Star