A BITTER power struggle within the eThekwini Metro Police department is about to spill out onto the streets as metro police officers affiliated to the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) threaten to go on strike as divisions within the department simmer. Leading the strike is a group of officers alleged to be close to former Mayor James Nxumalo and former police chief Eugene Nzama and who complain they are being ill-treated.
ALSO READ: City investigates metro chief’s alleged abuse of power
However, SAMWU representative, Siyabonga Mbonambi, has dismissed the group as a few rebels who are bitter that they will lose their ill-gotten benefits, following the retirement of Police Chief Eugene Nzama.
“Lately at the Department of Metro Police we are faced with a few rebels who call themselves members of SAMWU. The 30 disgruntled and bitter members were beneficiaries of the same things SAMWU was complaining about, which included getting overtime, promotions, protection from disciplinary hearings and unmarked unaccounted NDM vehicles. They took a stance to be hostile and defy the instructions of the new acting managers.They even went to labour court disputing the changes that were proposed which included them returning the NDM vehicles and being posted to operational areas such as Gleblands Hostel, but they lost that bid to keep their benefits,” said Mbonambi.
According to Mbonambi, the appointment of the Acting Head Steve Middleton, Acting Deputy Head Operations Sibonelo Mchunu, Acting Deputy Head Logistics Winnie KaMashiza Zama and Senior Superintendent Miss Geraldine Stevens to the Training Academy by the City Manager Sipho Nzuza, is what broke the camel’s back.
ALSO READ: Under-rescourced metro police a concern, says Pappas
“We further wish to express that we understand what the Labour Relations Act stipulates as Essential Services and warn striking members that this would be totally illegal and could subject our members to disciplinary action. We call on all our members to take a stance on our Trade Union being used for such selfish views and clarify our position on such acts,” he said.
“This aim was to bring stability to Metro Police. SAMWU has, since 2011, called for Nzama to be axed, due to a list of grievances lodged by the Union led by Lindani Sicwala (Chairperson 2011-2015) and Siyabonga Mbonambi (Secretary 2011 to date). The grievances included nepotism, favoritism and abuse of power. He finally succumbed to the pressure and took early retirement,” added Mbonambi.
Meanwhile, Nonhlanhla Mkhize, a representative of the ‘striking’ SAMWU members said they were prepared to further engage the employer on matters that had resulted in the current situation within the department with the sole aim to avert the strike. “The Metro Police constituency will embark on a protected strike effective from 27 September from 6am. This follows failure by the employer to consider objections to the aforementioned matter. The strike will affect all services provided by metro police and where its members are involved. The Union is also considering a secondary strike by other departments in support of metro police if we are unable to resolve the matters that have resulted in the declared strike,” she said.
