Illegal EMPD strike fails to take off

A planned strike by the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) officers on Tuesday never materialised.

There were reports that EMPD officers would stage a sit-in at their offices in Kempton Park. However, the municipality’s spokesperson Zweli Dlamini confirmed to The Citizen that this did not take place.

The officers are unhappy about their wages, and they have also complained about their working conditions.

Previous illegal strike

In March, more than 300 disgruntled officers blocked important arterial routes around the metro, including the R24m N3, R21, N12, and N17.

The strike was declared illegal, and some of the officers who participated in the strike are currently facing disciplinary action.

The city emphasised that EMPD officers fall under essential services, and their participation in the protest directly contravenes the Labour Relations Act.

ALSO READ: Nearly 400 suspended EMPD officers facing the axe over illegal strike action

Economic sabotage

Opposition parties in the Ekurhuleni council described the illegal strike as economic sabotage because the municipality is home to many heavy industries.

At the time, The Citizen reported that MMC of Finance Jongizizwe Dlabathi had criticised the South African Police Service (SAPS) for allowing the EMPD officers to block the roads.

“The police could have done better in terms of curtailing this kind of lawlessness on our national highways.

“This whole event was unfortunate and has inconvenienced people and businesses. This kind of action must not be promoted,” Dlabathi said.

Meanwhile, the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) has criticised the municipality for allegedly threatening to fire the employees who were part of the strike.

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