FRUSTRATED Durban Metro police officers stormed the city hall yesterday, demanding that the unit’s controversial head, Eugene Nzama be suspended or moved to another department.

They then threatened to stay until the city gave a commitment to permanently employ 600 officers who have been temporary workers for over five years.

The situation was so tense that the entire municipal executive council (EXCO) and ANC eThekwini regional leadership had to intervene by holding a closed meeting to cool tempers.

“Enough is enough. We have been waiting for the city to respond to our grievances long enough and nothing has been forthcoming,” one officer shouted.

“The mayor and other city management promised that by July 1, all temporary officers would have been converted to permanent, but it has not happened.

“We risk our lives, protecting the city's citizens, but we have nothing to show for it.”

The Mercury newspaper reported that the Metro Police officers went on the rampage in the Durban city centre.

The officers reportedly blocked roads, barged into the administration offices and threatened to burn down the city hall if their demands were not met.

They also toyi-toyied, banged on taxis and stopped cars from driving in Dr Pixley kaSeme Street.

According to the Mercury, members of the SA Police Service called in to control the crowd appeared nervous as the metro police officers were armed with service weapons.

The city has been at loggerheads with officers since last year.

The officers raised a number of grievances, including that they wanted Nzama to be placed on suspension while the investigation into maladministration and instability during his leadership was being conducted.

The city succumbed to officers’ demands in June, and put Nzama on a special leave.

At the time, the municipality promised to investigate allegations of abuse of power and defeating the ends of justice.

Nzama was also accused of conducting business deals with the council.

After Nzama launched legal proceedings in the Durban Labour Court, demanding that his special leave be lifted, the municipality allowed him to return to work, which resurrected the anger of the 1,200-strong police unit.

ANC eThekwini regional chairman Sibongiseni Dhlomo yesterday pleaded with officers to maintain order.

“I am pleading with you not to ruin your genuine concerns. A political decision was taken that the city must bypass all provisions of the law to try and solve the issues,” he said.

South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) deputy regional secretary Nkosenhle Madlala said if the city officials do not give in to their demands, they will not return to work.

Mayor James Nxumalo said the city officials had to follow processes in implementing the resolutions previously agreed upon, including the full- time employment of all temporary officers and other employees.

“But it must be understood that while we took a decision, there are processes that need to be followed. Let’s be reasonable. You can’t expect us to do it overnight. Give us time to finalize everything,” begged Nxumalo.

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Wed May 22 02:22:23 SAST 2013 ::

Aug 21, 2012

cornelius

Will this country ever return to civilsed means of protest ? I don't think so, it would require a strong, moral leader of the ilk of Mandela, which we do not have.
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Aug 21, 2012

cocolucho

I get their grievance and I truly do feel sorry for them but when will the violent protests stop and now that we have created this culture of using violence to get heard, could we ever get rid of this culture even if the leadership in the country changes? It seems that the only way that the government listens to you is when you use violence and even then they dont take you seriously.
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Aug 21, 2012

akaPENdEBAHLEN

When someone is sent by the devine power to free his people.It only depends on the people how they treat their freedom.Moses did with the israelites and what diod they do with their freedom.Mandela did it and what are we doing with our freedom.
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Aug 21, 2012

Sinudeity_

ROFLOL, eish...

The ANC South Africa. Where even the cops trash the streets. The students buuurn down the universities and the protestors throw $h17 in their own streets.
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Aug 21, 2012

Ntumbane

My sister and her 2 business partners are running an employment agent company and its on the verge of closure if Vavi and his cronies have their way of scrapping all employment agent companies in the country succeed. Cosatu secretary general Zwelinzima has been in the news in the last few months for the wrong reasons threatening court action to dismantle all employment agent companies citing reasons that they under pay their employees and they do not offer any benefits to their employees either. Whats this with the Durban municipality? Vavi answer us please.Where are u hiding, i haven`t heard you say anything with regards to the recent Marikana massacre.I thought you were going to be the first one there.
Vavi you tell me now how do you justify employing someone in the public sector on temporary basis for more than 5 years doing a dangerous and risk job like a law enforcement officer dealing with drug lords and drunken drivers on a daily basis. Do these officers have danger/risk allowance leiu?
Vavi Num is an affiliate of Cosatu. Had you been involved in talks with Num surely the bloodshed that we saw last week Thursday would have been averted, but you choose to distance yourself and you are playing Mr Cool.
Now we have 44 people dead in total and Durban municipality is under seige.
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Aug 21, 2012

Budapat

TACTICAL RESPONSE TEAM aka AMABHERETE is the answer for such morons
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Aug 21, 2012

RobinH

That's right oh protectors of the peace. F*ck up the city that pays you. Very very bright.
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Aug 21, 2012

Mwelase

Qhude manikiniki mnike isongelo lakhe. "police are nervous for Metro Cops because they are armed with service pistols, but they were able to shoot and killed 34 miners armed with traditional weapons. Why? let them confront each other.
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Aug 22, 2012

skwamasamabele

sinudeity- Last boat is leaving port for Orangia (somewhere in oblivion), I suggest you get on it
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