Easter road chaos as traffic cops threaten to strike

Limpopo’s roads might be turned into chaos after it was announced this morning (Thursday) that a group of discontent traffic officials are threatening to strike especially on the R71 in the vicinity of Boyne where millions of Zion Christian Church (ZCC) pilgrims are expected to gather.
A whistleblower approached Polokwane Observer’s office to alert the publication about the looming strike over alleged overtime issues. “We have been struggling for five years to sort out the issue with the Department of Transport, Safety, Security and Liaison of a certain group of officials who are favoured annually during Easter,” the source said. He added that these officials allegedly claim well over 150 hours of overtime during Easter where as others had to be satisfied with approximately 40 hours. “We want equal hours, we are all doing the same job,” he said, promising that the situation on Limpopo’s road will be turned into chaos if their demand to secure equal hours for all is met.
Departmental Spokesperson Kagiso Mootane responded saying that during a recent discussion meeting with officials to sort out the hours for Easter, only five officials from a certain group who always complains about work pitched. “The group chosen to work over Easter consist of reliable officers. We cannot afford to have officials on the road not willing to give 100% to ensure the safety of road users in Limpopo. We went the extra mile to employ all officials during Easter but it was impossible when only a few attended the meeting,” Mootane said.
She added that they should address their issues to the office of the MEC.
South African Policing Union (Sapu) Provincial Secretary Solly Bulala confirmed the officials’ issue with overtime. “There is a certain group working many hours overtime while others are minimally considered to work overtime. We are currently attending to the matter and will be addressed during the day to discuss the way forward,” Bulala said.

Story: RC Myburgh
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