‘This go-slow will make them rethink their allegations’ – Traffic officers
Traffic officers have been on a go-slow the past few days after no fewer than 32 officers were charged with misconduct for not being at work when they were allegedly supposed to be.
POLOKWANE – A source close to the Traffic Department said traffic officers arrived at their place of work on Tuesday and found they were there, not to report to duty, but to attend a disciplinary inquiry.
The letter given to the officers stated they are being accused of misconduct in terms of the Public Service Coordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) Resolution 2 of 1999, as amended.
The officers are alleged to have failed to report for duty on 9 June or between 13 to 17 June this year.
“We have not been given proper time to prepare for our defence and, in some cases, our proof far outweighs the allegations against us,” one officer told Review.
She said there had been cases where officers were on leave, granted by the very people now accusing them of misconduct, during the dates in question.
In one case an officer was in hospital during the said time and has medical certificates to prove where he was.
“At this point in time there is a go slow and we as traffic officers are not responding to things happening when it comes to work-related issues like accidents.
“This department is treating us like fools and trying to force their way upon us while they know very well they are in the wrong. This go-slow will make them rethink their allegations.”
Limpopo Transport Spokesperson, Joshua Kwapa, said: “We are not aware of the go-slow, however, we are aware of the concerns raised by our traffic officers at Polokwane station. We are currently engaged in internal processes to speedily address the matter. We are unable to get into the merits or demerits of the matters as processes are still underway. Our view is that all our traffic officers shall be deployed on our roads this festive season with the view of reducing the death toll on our roads”.
