Security officers go on strike as ‘technology will replace them’

More than 1 500 security officers are set to lose their jobs following the proposed technology security system to be installed at all governmental cites within the jurisdiction of the City of Ekurhuleni.

This proposed move has prompted the affected security personnel to vent their anger by taking to the streets.

These concerned security officers accused the City of Ekurhuleni and the main security company contracted by the City of unfair treatment and trying to push them out of employment.

“First of all, the contractor is trying by all means to get us all out of jobs. What is even more painful is the fact that some of our members have already been unfairly dismissed without following all due processes.

“This kind of treatment is worse than the apartheid system,” said the leader of the affected officers during their peaceful march in Tembisa.

“They want to replace us with technology. Where is the job creation the government is talking about? Comrades, it is high time we do something about this matter.”

The officers threatened to boycott next year’s local government elections if they are removed from work.

“It is clear and obvious that we cannot really fight them on this, because we don’t have the money to seek legal help. But there is one thing we can do to hurt them where it hurts the most. We must either boycott next year’s municipal elections or go out in numbers and vote differently. We must fight to get the municipality to consider hiring us on a full-time basis since we have been working here since 2009. We have seen it in the cities of Tshwane and Johannesburg, where security officers have been permanently employed by the cities and not contractors,” he said.

They vowed to either not go back to work or embark on a ‘go-slow’ protest.

The City of Ekurhuleni is yet to comment.

Also follow us on: