EMPD officers held a protest on June 9 where they demonstrated in front of the Germiston Civic Centre due to labour-related issues.
A memorandum was handed over and signed by Ekurhuleni MMC for Community Safety Clr Frans Mmoko.
The MMC said the leadership would meet to discuss the issues raised by the EMPD officers in the memorandum.
The City handed over its response on June 22 to the issues raised.
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On the issue of the prohibition notice that was issued by the Department of Labour on May 5, the executive mayor of Ekurhuleni, Mzwandile Masina, said the prohibition was not accompanied by a report.
“The notice was not accompanied by a report nor any comments indicating where the municipality did not comply with the COGTA regulations.
“Subsequent to that, the labour officials who issued the notice came back to the City on May 12 and conceded that the prohibition notice did not imply that the municipality must shut down as they had not issued any report on Covid-19 regulations,” said Masina.
On the issue of 60 VIP Protection Unit officers getting a salary increase and 10 per cent discretionary benefits he said, “The employment of 60 VIP officers commenced on April 1.
“However, the process of recruitment started in February prior to the proclamation of the lockdown.
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“It must be noted that VIP allowances were introduced as a means to curb the high expenditure of overtime.
“The City is aligning the accounting misalignments which occurred during the implementation process.
“Overall, the VIP allowance is not dissimilar to the 80 hours claimed by EMPD officers on a monthly basis,” said Masina.
One the issue of equitable training opportunities for traffic wardens to be trained as constables, the mayor said on September 19, 2019, a commitment was made to traffic wardens to meet the requirements of constables.
In order for traffic warden to achieve this skill development, they need to enrol for the basic traffic officer course at the EMPD Academy to obtain the metro police diploma.
“The City recognises the need to expand the EMPD’s capacity in order to enhance crime prevention and by-law and traffic law enforcement,” said Masina.
He said the City undertook an audit in the interest of improving the skills of traffic wardens.
He said traffic wardens who met the road traffic management corporation requirements could be enrolled for the basic traffic officer course.
“After an audit was done, it was found that 382 traffic wardens complied with RTMC requirements, and that there were a further 246 traffic wardens between the ages 36 and 50 with matric and driver’s licences.
“It has been resolved that the 628 officers be enrolled for the basic traffic officer course after the completion of the current course,” said Masina.
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Furthermore, it was recommended that a further 205 traffic wardens without matric and 32 traffic wardens without driver’s licenses be skilled to obtain the necessary requirements in order to be enrolled for the basic traffic officer course.
“Due to the current bigger intake of 500 students, the department approached the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) to assist with training of the traffic wardens.
“The JMPD has sent a quotation for the training.
“The process was temporarily put on hold due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Masina.
On the investigation of the allegation of two unreported road accidents against a senior staff member of the municipality, the mayor said it is incorrect that a senior staff member was involved in accidents which involved municipal vehicles.
“The senior staff member was treated on June 25, 2019, after being involved in an accident in his private vehicle.
“On April 7, 2020, a protector of the chief of police was involved in a motor vehicle accident in a municipal vehicle.
“It must be noted that the senior staff member in question was not present at the time of the accident,” said Masina.
On the issue of the withholding of EMPD officers’ salaries who were deployed by the Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA), the mayor said the City was not aware of this.
“The City is not aware of the MKMVA members referred to.
“More information on this matter must be provided,” said Masina.
The last issue on the memorandum was the issue of interference by the municipality’s senior officials with affairs of the trade union, South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu).
Masina said the issue must be referred to Samwu.
“Proof needs to be provided of officials who interfere and meddle.
“It is advised that proof of the matter raised be referred to the provincial and national offices of Samwu,” said Masina.
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Contact the newsroom by emailing:Editor at germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za, or Busi Vilakazi (Journalist) busiv@caxton.co.za.
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