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IN ROW: Merafong Traffic Centre. PHOTO: Vatiswa Ruselo

About 12 traffic officers said they were caught by surprise when they realised that their salaries were reduced without warning.

One of the employees, who asked not to be named for fear of victimisation, said: "My life has changed as I live on overdraft. I have children to look after and rent to pay."

She said that efforts to find out why their salaries were cut had been unsuccessful.

The officers said they were appointed in January 2007 as traffic officers and their salaries had been decreased since December last year, without any clear explanation.

One of the officers said his salary was slashed by R2,000 from R10,000 and another said his salary dropped to R6,000 from R10,000.

They were first told there was a mistake with their salaries, with most employees earning what was not their normal pay. Then they were told the salaries had been blocked. They said they were promised that the matter would be attended to and they would be reimbursed.

Another officer said they were paid back but not accordingly.

Merafong local municipality spokesman Slums Magodielo confirmed that the matter was being reviewed and that they would take it up with the local Labour Forum.

He said the management would discuss the issue.

"It is not only the traffic officers who are experiencing this problem, even our security guards are having the same problem." - lerato@sowetan.co.za

Comments

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Tue May 21 18:15:04 SAST 2013 ::

May 8, 2012

maneater

c'me on officers you know you can easily supplement you income in other ways.
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May 8, 2012

Bra_NeatDick

Huh?? these guys were sooo damn overpaid. Good work Merafong, save the taxpayers money.
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May 8, 2012

CheeseBoy

why are they complaining. they can just pass the increase to the people they demand bribes from.
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May 8, 2012

MommaC

10grand a month for taking bribes? That is a bit excessive
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May 8, 2012

Pointman

How can this happen - over payment of salaries in a cash strapped municipality.
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May 8, 2012

Limpopoist

You are not alone ,remember during budget speech,Pravin reduce budget for department of transport.

I have learn that limpopo traffic department also does not have enough cash,during easter ZCC church ,it was a difficult situation until national gorvernment made additiona R23 million of which will be used to pay staff for over time.

These weekend I was at polokwane ,still the same Traffice officer work mon-fri 08H00 -14H30,Pretoria it is still the same ,Mbobela also still the same.

All night long there are traffice officer, ride as you like.......ANC lead Government at its BEST
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May 8, 2012

ntebo

but the problem is not all of them take bribes
I guess they gonna learn to
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May 8, 2012

JB$

You guys take bribes why r u crying now you make more than that
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May 8, 2012

MTHONDOMDE

Why pay more money 6000 is fine as these bust@rd compensate their salaries with soliciting bribe. Big bums leave them to survive on overdraft as they can shed some kilos with their big bums sies traffic offenders.
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May 8, 2012

KatakataEmaotoAditshepe

Merafong Municipality management ba tlwaela batho goot mase.pa.
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