JMPD officials reported for duty this morning

Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) insisted that its officers had been reporting for duty at their respective units despite a call by South African Municipal Workers union (Samwu) to embark on a strike.

According to JMPD spokesperson Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar, the traffic police had been reporting for duty since 31 December last year.

He said a few suspects were arrested on New Year’s Eve during an operation between JMPD and Hillbrow Police.

“JMPD management thanked the officers for their hard work and dedication. We thanked them for not heeding the call by the union to go on strike,” he explained.

He concluded that officers reported for duty on the morning of 4 January and it was work as usual at the licensing and testing stations.

Samwu Johannesburg Region issued the statement on 30 December that following the suspension of the industrial action, the Labour Court judgment was released on 28 December and resolved that JMPD employees, who belong to the Samwu, could indeed embark on a protected strike action.

The statement read that it should therefore be noted that JMPD was officially on strike as of 30 December and management was briefed to that effect at a meeting held at JMPD Head Quarters.

The statement further indicated that Metro Police affiliated with Sanwu’s key demand was for payment of various allowances that the employer was aware of.

The union initially issued a strike notice on 14 December to embark on a protected strike action by 24 December. It was then interdicted on 22 December until the Labour Court judgment handed down on 28 December 2015.

Samwu Johannesburg regional chairperson Conel Mackay, who issued the statement, could not be reached for comment as his phone was off.

Details: JMPD 011 758 9106.

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