By Nkhensani Chauke
The South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) has slammed the City of Ekurhuleni’s decision to issue pre-dismissal notices to over 300 Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) workers.
This after a recent illegal strike by over 300 EMPD officers, causing extensive traffic disruptions on major highways.
The officers blocked major routes, demanding better pay and working conditions.
The City of Ekurhuleni has confirmed that disciplinary action is currently underway against those involved.
However, SAMWU described the municipality’s decision as a blatant attempt to intimidate workers through mass dismissal threats, violating natural justice principles and undermining worker’s constitutional right to express their grievances without fear of reprisal.
“SAMWU stands shoulder-to-shoulder, with the affected workers and pledges to deploy every resource at its disposal to fight tooth and nail against this egregious injustice. We demand the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of these pre-dismissal notices and insist that the municipality enter into genuine, good-faith negotiations aimed at achieving a just and equitable resolution to the workers’ grievance,” the union said in a statement.
SAMWU added that it is fully prepared take all necessary actions to protect the rights, livelihoods, and dignity of its members.
“Furthermore, the union is committed to exploring all available legal and industrial relations avenues to challenge this unjust decision and hold the city accountable,” SAMWU said.
The Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety has also noted with concern the suspension of the 300 EMPD officers.
The committee said the mass suspension of the officers poses a significant risk to public risk to public safety, traffic management and the enforcement of municipal by-laws.
“The Committee urges the City of Ekurhuleni to implement immediate contingency measures to mitigate the impact of these suspensions,” said Bandile Masuku, chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Community Safety.
“One such measure could include seeking temporary reinforcement from other municipalities in Gauteng, in line with the existing agreement that allows Municipal Police and Traffic Officers to operate beyond their jurisdictional boundaries to assist in crime prevention and traffic management.”
Masuku also called upon the City of Ekurhuleni to accelerate the resolution of the ongoing labour dispute to ensure the swift resumption of critical policing services.
“A prolonged impasse between the municipality and its employees will only deepen service delivery challenges and undermine public safety,” said Masuku.
“The committee will continue to monitor the situation closely and remains committed to ensuring that community safety across Gauteng is not compromised.”
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