Six months on, EMPD protest disciplinary action remains unclear in Ekurhuleni
Questions directed to the MMC for Community Safety remain unanswered, raising concerns about transparency and accountability.
Six months after the unlawful protest by EMPD officers brought major transport routes to a standstill, questions remain unanswered regarding disciplinary action against those involved.
Following the illegal protest on March 19, senior city officials announced that the matter had been escalated to the city’s political leadership for handling, specifically to the MMC for Community Safety, Sizakele Masuku.
In a media briefing held earlier this year, Executive Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza condemned the protest action as deeply irresponsible and unlawful, noting that EMPD officers are essential service providers prohibited from engaging in industrial action.
Despite repeated commitments to hold individuals accountable and restore public trust, the Alberton Record can confirm that enquiries sent to the MMC for Community Safety have gone unanswered, leaving the public in the dark about any outcomes, resolutions, or ongoing investigations.
The MMC’s office has not provided a statement or clarification on whether any final decisions have been made regarding the implicated officers.
Background: A city disrupted
The March 19 protest saw EMPD officers reportedly using city-issued vehicles and service firearms to blockade critical highways, including the R21, N12, N17, and N3, effectively paralysing movement to and from OR Tambo International Airport, a designated national key point.
Commuters were left stranded, and economic activity was significantly impacted.
The protest was sparked by frustrations over reduced overtime allocations, an issue raised by the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU). However, city officials maintained that overtime is tied to operational demands and performance, and is not an entitlement.
During the same March briefing, the mayor confirmed ongoing investigations into acts of intimidation against officers who declined to participate in the strike, with SAPS and the Hawks assisting in the probe.
Public accountability still awaited
While the city pledged to review each of the 389 cases on individual merit and not pursue blanket dismissals, the prolonged silence from the office of the MMC for Community Safety raises concerns about transparency and follow-through.
The city has since reaffirmed its commitment to law and order, announcing reforms such as the shift system for EMPD and the deployment of 1 500 recruits and traffic wardens.
However, without a resolution to the disciplinary process, critics argue that the city’s credibility remains in question.
