Kimberley -
The Police and Prisons Civil Rights’ Union (Popcru) have called for the immediate suspension of a senior manager at the Kimberley Correctional Centre who allegedly assaulted an official for arriving late for work.
Police spokesman, Lieutenant Sergio Kock, said that a case of common assault was opened, although no arrests had made yet.
Popcru provincial secretary, Boitumelo Pheleo, said the official arrived 30 minutes late over a weekend on (November 10).
“He reported for duty at 4pm instead of 3.30pm. His supervisors instructed him to put in a day’s leave because he had arrived too late to start his shift.”
The official requested that it be put in writing.
“Meanwhile, another two employees, who also arrived late for work, were allowed to proceed with their shifts. The treatment of the employees was not consistent because only one latecomer was sent home.”
The late employee decided to sign the attendance register when he was called in by his supervisors.
The official was apparently grabbed by his shirt with both hands by the senior manager in the presence of other senior officials, where one manager intervened to prevent the assault.
It is believed that while he was being dragged out of the office, the employee hit his shoulder against the wall and sustained a number of bruises on his hand, arm and shoulder.
Pheleo pointed out that assault at the workplace was a dismissable offence, moreover because a senior manager was allegedly involved.
“Our request for the suspension of the officials received no reaction from the Department of Correctional Services. As far as we are aware, no official has been charged.”
He said that a thorough investigation must be launched.
“The department has a responsibility to protect its members at the workplace. We cannot have members being treated like criminals,” he added.
Pheleo added that the member’s arm was in a sling and that they were waiting for a complete medical report.
It is believed that the official has since been transferred to another section of the prison.
DA spokesman on safety and security, advocate Lennit Max, said that the labour laws did not tolerate incidents of assault at the workplace.
“The department should deal with this matter accordingly.”
The Department of Correctional Services ignored all media inquiries.
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