over 300 Ekurhuleni metro police face dismissal over strike
Ekurhuleni has issued pre-dismissal letters to 389 metro police officers over their involvement in an illegal March strike.
The City of Ekurhuleni has issued pre-dismissal notices to more than 300 metro police officers who took part in an illegal strike in March.
During the protest, the officers disrupted traffic by blocking major highways—including the Gillooleys Interchange on the R24, the Carnival interchange on the N17, the Springs/Daveyton off-ramp on the N12, and the Benoni off-ramp on the R21—while demanding salary hikes, overtime pay, and better working conditions.
Ekurhuleni metro police risk losing jobs after unlawful strike action
GroundUp reports that the officers accused the city of unfair treatment, claiming that Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) officers work only 16 days a month on a four-day-on, four-days-off schedule and earn higher salaries. In contrast, they said they are forced to work 24 days a month with less rest and lower pay, putting them at a clear disadvantage.
Additionally, they also cited a lack of danger allowances, which are provided to the officers’ counterparts in other metros and the South African Police Service (SAPS).
On Monday, 5 May, City of Ekurhuleni spokesperson Phakamile Mbengashe told Newzroom Afrika that 389 EMPD officers have been served with pre-dismissal notices and have 48 hours to prepare themselves for their upcoming disciplinary hearings where they’ll have to explain themselves as to why they should not be dismissed.
“At the moment, they have been suspended, which means that the council on the equipment that they used to do their jobs, which were the vehicles, firearms, and access to various council buildings, has been confiscated. We await to see what the outcome of the disciplinary hearings are,” he said.
Regarding possible avenues the metro cops can use to appeal their case, Mbengashe said they can consult with their union reps, they can also consult with legal representatives, and they can make those representations during the disciplinary hearing.
He said as per legislation, the Ekurhuleni metro police officers are essential services and aren’t allowed to go on strike. Additionally, they held various meetings ahead of the strike and could’ve local labour forum to raise their issues.