Ekurhuleni Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza has warned EMPD officers who staged an illegal protest last week that action will be taken against them.
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Ekurhuleni Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza has condemned last week's illegal protest by Metro Police officers, promising severe consequences for those involved in the disruptions that gridlocked key city routes.
Xhakaza issued a strong warning to Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) officers who staged an illegal protest last week, vowing that “stern and decisive action” will be taken against those involved in what he called a “shameless act".
The protest, led by EMPD officers over overtime and salary adjustments, caused major disruptions on key arterial routes.
“Let me join the nation in condemning the recent illegal protest by our EMPD officers, who last week illegally invaded and blocked main public roads around the city,” Xhakaza said on Thursday while delivering his State of the City Address.
The strike affected several major roads, including the R24 westbound between the OR Tambo Interchange and Electron Interchange and all lanes of the N3 northbound between Heidelberg and Elands, resulting in extensive traffic congestion.
Xhakaza said the demonstration was an unprecedented act by any law enforcement institution in the country and warned that action would be taken.
“We do promise South Africans that stern and decisive action will be taken against those involved in this shameless act,” he said.
The mayor apologised to those inconvenienced by the strike and assured road users that the city is working to prevent such incidents from happening again.
IOL News previously reported that City of Ekurhuleni spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said the metro was unaware of the strike beforehand.
As part of efforts to bolster law enforcement, Xhakaza announced that the city will soon resume the recruitment of 334 traffic wardens, who will be transformed into EMPD officers within the next three months.
“The city has adopted a hybrid approach to the insourcing process and will commence with the first 290 to be deployed in selected critical facilities,” he said.
“The time is now for us to capacitate and empower the by-law enforcement unit for improved by-law policing operations.”
He also revealed plans to introduce a new by-law regulating private CCTV surveillance systems to enhance crime-fighting efforts in public spaces.
“The city shall further source all the necessary tools of trade and gadgets for route protection, securing of national key points, and responding to all forms of emergency and life-threatening situations,” Xhakaza said.
These efforts include acquiring specialised vehicles for various deployments.
“We shall soon bring in new innovations into policing, mainly in the area of digitalisation of policing,” he added.
Before Xhakaza could begin his address, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) councillors disrupted the speech by holding placards listing service delivery concerns such as potholes and power cuts.
The EFF, which is in coalition with the African National Congress in the council, has two members on the mayoral committee.
However, council Speaker Nthabiseng Tshivhenga said the placards violated council rules.
“The placards are considered weapons under council standing orders and should not have been displayed,” she said.
EFF council chairperson Nkululeko Dunga denied that the party disrupted the address.
“Our placards aren’t weapons,” Dunga said.
simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za
IOL Politics
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