Correctional Services has today provisionally withdrawn an application in the Labour Court in Braamfontein for an interdict to prevent industrial action by correctional officials. The department will consider its options and possibly return to court following an announcement by the unions of their intentions to strike in Correctional Services.
Acting National Commissioner Siphiwe Sokhela has praised correctional officials for their disciplined conduct during the current industrial dispute and strike in the public services. “We salute our officials who have remained true to their calling to serve the people of South Africa in this essential security service department,” Mr Sokhela said, after visiting the Johannesburg Correctional Centre in the early hours of today, 26 August 2010. He urged all correctional officials to honour their obligations to deliver essential services and to act responsibly during the national strike period.
The Department of Correctional Services is on high alert to ensure that service delivery is not compromised, following a call by unions to essential service officials to embark on a strike. The assurance was given in a special executive management meeting convened on 25 August 2010 by Acting National Commissioner Sokhela in Pretoria. The department’s national security and contingency plans are in place and are aligned with other security institutions to ensure an effective management of any situation.
The department has taken a number steps to ensure the safety of officials coming to work, with local managements urged to assess the situations and take appropriate measures to improve their safety. Other measures taken include deployment of experienced officials based officials at the coal face where a need arises, cancellation and/or scaling down of events and external activities already scheduled to minimise security risks. In those cases today where a few officials engaged in protest action, picketing or absented themselves, appropriate disciplinary steps will be taken that may include dismissal.
Mr Sokhela said he believes that correctional officials would continue to ensure that all people in South Africa are and feel safe even under more trying conditions during the planned national strike in the public service.
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