POPCRU weighs in on the appointment of Pieter Groenewald

• The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union applauded the appointment of the Freedom Front Plus president Pieter Groenewald in Cyril Ramaphbosa's cabinet
• Groenewald was appointed the new minister of correctional services as part of the Government of National Unity
• South Africans also welcomed his appointment, and some accused him of being a racist

Tebogo Mokwena, a Briefly News current affairs journalist in Johannesburg, South Africa, has covered policy changes, the State of the Nation Address, politician-related news and elections at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News for over seven years.

POPCRU gave Pieter Groenewald's appointment the thumbs up. Image: Jeffrey Abrahams/Gallo Images via Getty Images Source: Getty Images

JOHANNESBURG—The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union is happy that Pieter Groenewald, the leader of the Freedom Front Plus, is the correctional services minister.

POPCRU welcomes Groenewald's appointment

Groenewald was among the ministers, deputy ministers, and deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa announced in his new cabinet. IOL reported that POPCRU believed the country's criminal justice cluster needs efficient, capable, and ethical leadership to address some of the department's challenges.

According to POPCRU, correctional facilities are understaffed and overcrowded. Staff levels dropped from 40,000 in 2009 to 38,000 in 2024. POPCRU also opposed the renewal of contracts with private prisons and called on Groenewald to speed up the department's process of absorbing employees from private prisons.

South Africans support Groenewald's appointment.

Neitzens on Facebook celebrated his apoitnment, although not everyone had good things to say.

Stephanus Corenelius Potgieter said:

"Good luck. We know you can do a great job.''

Mulalo said:

''If he does his work without fear or favour, I'm happy.''

Thandokazi Bereng said:

"This is what we call a transformed organisation. It's a shame to see others bringing race into the issue of leadership.''

Miyamkir Khumalo said:

''They welcome a racist who is unapologetic about apartheid and still maintains that apartheid was not a crime.''

Mandilakhe Man-dee Mfolozi said:

''Even if it was Zuma, POPCRU would have welcomed him.''

Julius Malema slams the new cabinet

In a similar article, Briefly News reported that the Economic Freedom Fighters' president, Julius Malema, slammed the new cabinet.

Malema said the cabinet was bloated and denounced the ANC for its alliance with the Democratic Alliance in the Government of National Unity.