ALLEGED wide-scale corruption and theft at the country's leading police forensic science laboratory is leading to massive backlogs in the finalisation of horrific crimes, including sexual assaults.
A detailed dossier compiled by the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) has blown open the lid on alleged criminal activities by police working within the national forensic science laboratory in Pretoria.
Contained within the dossier is damning information on the alleged irregular decommissioning of a multi-million rand DNA database machine, the theft of R500-million worth of narcotics evidence, the apparent sabotaging of court cases and the concealing of information reflecting the true situation of the laboratory's caseload backlog.
The dossier was given to National Police Commissioner General Riah Phiyega nearly two months ago. According to Popcru, which is calling for an investigation, police management have done nothing about the allegations, while whistle-blowers have been victimised - with two being subjected to internal disciplinary hearings.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and gender violence NGOs, DNA databases are essential in the fight for justice. NPA spokesman Vuyisile Calaza said DNA was crucial in proving the guilt of an accused in a sexual offence.
People Opposed to Women Abuse (Powa) director Nhlanhla Mokwena said a database of DNA from perpetrators of rape would make seeking justice easier.
A report by the Medical Research Council and the Study of Violence - involving the tracking of rape cases through the criminal justice system - showed how DNA reports more often than not led to an acquittal than a conviction. The report said DNA reports were seldom available because kits were infrequently analysed and the suspects' blood rarely taken for comparison against any DNA identified by the laboratory.
Popcru's Gauteng provincial chairman Vusi Shabalala said they had spent months collecting information to compile the dossier, which contained information on the alleged irregular decommissioning of a R46-million DNA database machine - crucial parts of which were sold for scrap metal.
Police spokesman Brigadier Phuti Setati said the matter was receiving attention.
"Popcru is being engaged. We cannot discuss the contents until the matter has been addressed," he said.
Police ministry spokesman Zweli Mnisi said Minister Nathi Mthethwa had been briefed on the allegations.
Source: The Sowetan
Showing posts with label Popcru. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Popcru. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Govt, unions reach social services agreement
The Social Development Department and unions have agreed to implement the occupation specific dispensation (OSD), backdated to April 1 2008. An agreement was signed to put the OSD into effect for all social service professions and occupations on June 4, read a joint statement by labour and the government issued on Wednesday. "We congratulate all role players and thank the negotiators for their tireless efforts in reaching this historic agreement," Social Development Minister Edna Molewa said in the statement.
The agreement was applicable to social workers, probation officers and assistant probation officers, community development practitioners and child and youth care workers. "We trust that the agreement will be implemented fully and correctly," said labour chairperson at the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council and Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) president Sdumo Dlamini.
The OSD makes provision for a set of salary grades which allow for progression along a career path. It also recognises the experience of social service professionals.
Molewa said: "The implementation of this agreement will enable the sector to attract and retain the current skills force within the public service. It will also bring about uniformity in the remuneration of professionals. "... we will ensure that this agreement is implemented correctly without any further delays." This would happen in July.
Meanwhile, other government departments and unions were meeting to discuss the same issue at the public service's bargaining council on Wednesday. Cosatu spokesperson Sifiso Dlamini said the meeting started at 1pm. The OSD was agreed upon in September 2007 following a crippling public workers' strike, but had not yet been implemented. This had resulted in an outcry by unions such as the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) and Cosatu. Both Popcru and Cosatu have threatened strikes. Public sector doctors recently embarked on a strike over the OSD.
Dlamini said between two and four negotiators from Cosatu as well as other trade unions would be represented at the meeting. He could not immediately be reached for further comment.
Source: Mail & Guardian
The agreement was applicable to social workers, probation officers and assistant probation officers, community development practitioners and child and youth care workers. "We trust that the agreement will be implemented fully and correctly," said labour chairperson at the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council and Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) president Sdumo Dlamini.
The OSD makes provision for a set of salary grades which allow for progression along a career path. It also recognises the experience of social service professionals.
Molewa said: "The implementation of this agreement will enable the sector to attract and retain the current skills force within the public service. It will also bring about uniformity in the remuneration of professionals. "... we will ensure that this agreement is implemented correctly without any further delays." This would happen in July.
Meanwhile, other government departments and unions were meeting to discuss the same issue at the public service's bargaining council on Wednesday. Cosatu spokesperson Sifiso Dlamini said the meeting started at 1pm. The OSD was agreed upon in September 2007 following a crippling public workers' strike, but had not yet been implemented. This had resulted in an outcry by unions such as the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) and Cosatu. Both Popcru and Cosatu have threatened strikes. Public sector doctors recently embarked on a strike over the OSD.
Dlamini said between two and four negotiators from Cosatu as well as other trade unions would be represented at the meeting. He could not immediately be reached for further comment.
Source: Mail & Guardian
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