Chief hits back at police union
“The TMPD has over 15 years experience and the union people making these claims are aware that they have agreed on certain policies long before my time.”
Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) chief Johanna Nkomo slammed allegations made by members of the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) after they “hijacked” an unveiling event by the department last week.
Speaking to Rekord, Nkomo said the union members did not air their grievances “in a procedural manner”.
Her comments came after Tshwane mayor Randall Williams, herself and community safety MMC Karen Meyer, fled the unveiling ceremony because of “union activity”.
Samwu members at the unveiling were angry about alleged underpayment, pregnancy benefits as well as a number of other issues such as a lack of uniforms, vehicles, firearms and reporting back to work at 100% capacity.
“The TMPD has over 15 years experience and the union people making these claims are aware that they have agreed on certain policies long before my time.”
Nkomo said TMPD members have agreed to certain terms and conditions such as pregnancy benefits when they joined up.
These were not TMPD decisions, but something that various parties have collectively agreed upon.
She said promotions depended on years of experience and various other qualifications.
“Officers also know that we advertise our posts so they can apply and compete on that post fairly. That is how it works.”
“If officers wanted to change policies, there were forums where everyone sat down and negotiated those policies.”
Nkomo, however, acknowledged that there was an issue with vehicles.
“This is because the Tshwane metro does not own its vehicles. They are owned by a contractor responsible for maintenance. Usually, when a car has broken down, it will end up with the contractor.”
She said maintenance and repairs took very long sometimes.
On the lack of firearms, she said “policing is not about weaponising our members”.
“By that, we are not saying officers should not have weapons, they do.
“But a factor contributing to a lack of firearms is that we constantly appoint new officers. When this happens, the process of acquiring firearms is still underway, which leads to a backlog.
“Only a small number of officers are without them.”
Regarding personal protective equipment (PPE), she said “we have enough sanitiser, gloves and masks”.
“However, our members do not lodge orders when they need them.”
“It is true that our officers must be back at work in 100% capacity, because of us being on level 1, but officers with comorbidities and doctor’s notes would be excused.
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