Major South African city’s traffic police go on illegal strike

Thousands of officers for the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) has embarked on strike action over alleged unfair labour practices within the entity.

The protest is severely affecting traffic on the R21 Westbound between the OR Tambo Interchange and Electron Interchange, resulting in heavy delays.

Additionally, protests are impacting all lanes of the N3 Northbound between Heidelberg and Elands, causing extensive traffic congestion.

EMPD Personnel have planned a drive in official state vehicles to the Germiston Civic Centre from various gathering points across the metro to meet with the City of Ekurhuleni Executive Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza.

The City has approximately 3,500 EMPD and Wardens personnel, none of whom will be performing official duties while the strike is taking place.

The EMPD officials’ demands, as published by crime activist Yusuf Abramjee, are plentiful.

First, the officers want overtime pay to be reinstated. The City has allegedly reduced officers’ overtime salaries from 80 hours to 16 hours, severely impacting their financial stability and overall morale.

“Historically, officers have benefited from overtime, which has been regarded as part of their salary, enabling them to meet financial obligations such as loan approvals and other necessities,” said the EMPD.

“This drastic reduction will place officers below the standard living scale and erode their financial security, affecting their families and well-being.”

In addition, the officials called for the abolishment of the overtime system linked to the 32-point system.

“The current system unfairly harasses officers by restricting overtime opportunities based unconstitutional criteria,” said the EMPD employees.

“Officers who do not meet specific, often arbitrary tasks are denied overtime pay, whereas some officers are paid overtime without performing required duties.”

EMPD officers furthermore highlighted several deployment and operational challenges within the entity, including having to use own resources to complete their jobs, working unpaid overtime, and facing immense risks without due compensation.

They have also decried salary discrepancies and a lack of benefits for ground-level officers.

The City of Ekurhuleni recently adjusted VIP EMPD salaries from R37,039 to R44,486 per month, including a 10% discrepancy benefit.

“However, ground-level officers face greater risks and dangers without receiving similar benefits, such as danger allowances and night-shift allowances,” said the employees.

“The inequality in salary structures between VIP EMPD officers and standard EMPD officers must be addressed immediately.”

The aggrieved individuals seek clarity from the Head of Department regarding the Covid-19 compensation relief fund for officers, too.

Unfair promotion practices and longer working hours than other metro police departments in South Africa were also brought up.

EMPD management recently removed the Rapid Advancement Policy that was previously in place which ensured fair and transparent career progression.

“According to the SAPS Act, EMPD officers should be promoted after five years of services, yet this policy is not being implemented,” said the striking staff.

“The application of the Employment Equity Policy is inconsistent, leading to unfair promotions and disparities in career advancement opportunities.”

The workers called for the Rapid Advancement Policy to be immediately reinstated.

Comparing their working hours with those of other traffic police, the EMPD officials noted that Johannesburg Metro Police employees are reportedly only required to work 16 days per month while receiving higher salaries.

“EMPD officers work 24 days per month with less rest and lower salaries, placing them at a disadvantage compared to their counterparts in neighbouring municipalities.”

The striking EMPD staff allegedly voiced their concerns to management as far back as June 2020 but have yet to see any action taken, leading them to the extreme decision of going on protest.

They now demand a formal response from the Mayor, City Manager, and relevant departments within seven days.

Ekurhuleni condemns illegal strike

The City of Ekurhuleni has condemned what it labels as “illegal strike action.”

Section 41 of the South African Police Service Act explicitly forbids members from striking or inducing their peers to strike.

It also empowers the National or Provincial Commissioner to discharge summarily from the South African Police Services any member who strikes or conspires with another to strike.

“The City of Ekurhuleni notes with concern the ongoing illegal strike action involving members of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department, which has resulted in significant disruptions on key arterial routes,” it said.

“We strongly condemn this unlawful protest action, as it compromises public safety and disrupts the daily commute of thousands of residents and visitors.”

The City is actively engaging with relevant stakeholders and law enforcement agencies to resolve the situation with haste.

Motorists are urged to exercise patience, seek alternative routes where possible, and remain vigilant.