WATCH: EMPD strike disrupts traffic across Gauteng
The strike had a significant impact on major freeways, including the R24 westbound between the OR Tambo and Electron interchanges, and the N3 northbound between Heidelberg and Elands.
Teaser: Members of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) staged an illegal strike on March 19, 2025, disrupting major highways and causing extensive delays.
The protest ended by midday with the city working to resolve ongoing concerns.
On March 19, 2025, members of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) launched an illegal strike, causing major disruptions to traffic across key Gauteng routes.
@bedfordview.edenv Vuyile Mlungwana of Municipal Employees and Civil Servants Union addresses the media regarding the picketing of EMPD outside the municipal offices in Germiston CBD. He also addresses the statement released by the City condemning the EMPD. #empd #cityofekurhuleni
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The strike was sparked by protests over reduced overtime allowances, salary disparities, and perceived inequities compared to officers in neighbouring municipalities.
The strike had a significant impact on major freeways, including the R24 westbound between the OR Tambo and Electron interchanges, and the N3 northbound between Heidelberg and Elands.
@bedfordview.edenv Busi Vilakazi reporting live from Germiston CBD where traffic is at a standstill due to a strike by EMPD workers who used their vehicles to block the roads, causing major delays. 📍 Affected areas: 🚗 Germiston CBD 🚗 N17 (Carnival) 🚗 R21 (Benoni Off-ramp & towards airport) 🚗 N12 (Putfontein ↔ Kingsway Off-ramp) 🚗 R24 🚗 Gillooly’s Interchange (N12, R24) ‼️ Motorists, urged to use alternative routes to avoid further delays. #EMPDStrike #TrafficAlert #GermistonCBD #MetroPolice #Ekurhuleni
The disruptions led to extensive traffic delays, with visuals from the scene showing EMPD vehicles blocking on-ramps and halting traffic on the R21 southbound and in the Germiston CBD.
City spokesperson Zweli Dlamini condemned the protest, emphasising that it compromised public safety and disrupted daily commutes.
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He confirmed that the city was engaging with relevant stakeholders and law enforcement agencies to swiftly address the issue.
@bedfordview.edenv 🚨 MMC of Finance, Jongizizwe Dlabathi, apologises to residents for service disruptions caused by EMPD this morning. The City is now taking over negotiations from the department. The mayoral executive will work with unions to find common ground. In the meantime, officers will resume their duties. 👮♂️
By midday, the strike had concluded, with all lanes returning to normal. In response to the unrest, MMC of Finance Jongizizwe Dlabathi issued an apology to residents for the service disruptions.
Dlabathi confirmed that the city had taken over negotiations from the department, with the mayoral executive working alongside unions to find a resolution.
EMPD officers resumed their duties shortly after the strike concluded.
@bedfordview.edenv Vehicles seen giving each other way due to one lane blocked by EMP cars in Germiston #EMPD #cityofekurhuleni
