EMPD officers took to the streets in their official vehicles last Tuesday to protest against several labour-related issues.
The officers demonstrated in front of the Germiston Civic Centre and handed over a memorandum.
EMPD personnel and officers are unhappy with a number of issues, from safety while on duty and salaries to training and management.
EMPD representative Nkosana Gould addressed the officers before handing over the memorandum.
The issues raised in the memorandum were:
• The Department of Employment and Labour inspected the municipality’s occupational health and safety (OHS) measures on May 5, with specific reference to Covid-19 regulations and issued a prohibition notice to the municipality in terms of which the municipality was prohibited from allowing workers and contractors to perform activities unless the municipality fully complied with the OHS Covid-19 regulations. The notice was delivered on May 7, but the municipality has since disregarded the prohibition notice and continued with its business as usual without complying with the Covid-19 regulations.
• The employment of 60 VIP Protection Unit officers during the Covid-19 national lockdown, with an increased salary and they were provided with a 10 per cent discretionary benefit (VIP allowance), calculated on their total annual salary, This benefit is not accruing to other officers or employees in the municipality.
• Equitable training opportunities for traffic wardens to be trained as constables. This follows a massive intake of applicants to enrol for training as constables at the beginning of the year, but left out traffic wardens.
• An investigation of an allegation of two unreported road accidents against a senior staff member of the municipality.
• The unlawful withholding of EMPD officers’ salaries, who were deployed from the Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA), for April salaries during Covid-19 and its economic challenges.
• Non-interference of the municipality’s senior officials with affairs of the trade union, SAMWU (South African Municipal Workers Union). These officials have been warned on countless occasions to refrain from meddling in the affairs of the union, thereby sewing division among shop stewards.
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The memorandum was handed over and signed by Ekurhuleni MMC for Community Safety Frans Mmoko.
“We accept the memorandum and leadership of the City and will discuss all the matters raised in it.
“As soon as we are done with the discussions we will respond,” said Mmoko.
EMPD officers advised that if the demands are not met they will embark on a full-blown strike with the support of the members of the union.
The demonstration was attended by members of Samwu, MKMVA and the Democratic Municipal and Allied Workers Union of South Africa to show their solidarity.
The DA has expressed it concern regarding the EMPD demonstration and the issues raised.
“We are concerned that political interference is impacting our EMPD.
“Following discussions with the EMPD officers, many have claimed the VIP Protection Unit who are responsible for protecting the mayor and members of the mayoral committee have allegedly received huge increases, with officers claiming members of the VIP Protection Unit have seen their salaries double.
“If these allegations are true, we are concerned at how these increases were implemented and what this means for the staff morale of other EMPD officers,” said DA Shadow MMC for Community Safety in Ekurhuleni Jaco Terblanche.
He said the issue of salaries is not a new issue.
“In 2016, the mayor, Mzwandile Masina, informed Ekurhuleni officials they will be reviewing the salary structures.
“Fast forward a few years, and some officers claim they have yet to see the necessary salary adjustments they were promised.
“This is serious cause for concern.
“The EMPD is responsible for ensuring the safety of residents in Ekurhuleni.
“Their unhappiness over wage disparities needs to be investigated urgently, and if the claims regarding the VIP Protection Unit are true, action needs to be taken,” said Terblanche.
The DA said they are willing to serve on an ad hoc committee to investigate these matters on a principle basis and to ensure there is no political interference by the governing party.
