Popcru to represent Vearey at conciliation and arbitration hearing

THE Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) is expected to represent axed Western Cape detective head Jeremy Vearey at the Safety and Security Sectoral Bargaining Council (SSSBC) later this month in a conciliation and arbitration process.

Vearey was dismissed on the grounds of misconduct for posts he made on social media.

Following his dismissal, Popcru had shown its support for the former top cop.

Vearey is being treated in hospital for Covid-19 complications.

Asked to comment on its desired outcome of the conciliation process, Popcru spokesperson Richard Mamabolo said: “We are representing him as a member, and for all the work we do in representing members we always strive for outcomes that would result in them being reinstated into whatever positions or roles they were previously holding.”

The union made known its stance in support of Vearey when it issued a statement last month.

“In terms of the dispute resolution, we have referred the matter to the SSSBC. We will be making a dispute in terms of procedural and substantial fairness,” Mamabolo said.

The hearing is due to be heard on July 28 and 29.

Eastern Cape police commissioner Liziwe Ntshinga, who chaired an expeditious procedure meeting, found on May 27 that Vearey had brought the police’s name into disrepute in eight Facebook posts between December 7, 2020, and February 25, 2021, which in some cases featured pictures of the national commissioner, Khehla Sitole, and links to stories and documents.

Last month, in a call to have the cop reinstated, and labelling the dismissal a “witch-hunt”, about 100 Vearey supporters marched through Cape Town before gathering on the steps of St George’s Cathedral.

They then marched to Parliament to hand over a memorandum.