In an ironic twist‚ angry clashes between disgruntled traffic officials and police disrupted the launch of Nelson Mandela Bay’s long-awaited additional law enforcement unit on Friday.
While municipal leadership presented a showcase outside the City Hall of what the new metro police force would look like – saying boots would be on the ground from next week – protesting workers labelled the event a political stunt and “smokescreen”.
The launch comes after seven years of delays and empty promises – along with the appointment of two highly paid police chiefs who operated without staff – despite the policing service being given the green light in 2009.
The Public Order Policing Unit‚ also known as the riot police‚ was roped in to monitor protesting traffic officials in an attempt to prevent disruptions to the launch.
But about 60 protesters‚ some in traffic officer uniforms and driving official branded vehicles‚ stood on the street watching the event before pouncing.
As mayor Danny Jordaan took to the podium‚ protesters started chanting and dancing‚ turning on their traffic-car sirens.
Police quickly confronted the protesters and ripped cords out of one of the traffic vehicles.
South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) shop steward and traffic officer Libhoyi Nangu‚ who was part of the protest‚ called the launch a smokescreen‚ claiming it was a political stunt to gain votes.
“Negotiations are still under way so how can they launch? This is a grandstand for the elections. We want to know what is going to happen to our future [in the municipality] when they take us into the metro police‚” he said.
“There will be no [officials on the ground] until this is resolved‚ despite what they say.”
Jordaan said the newly formed police force aimed to reduce crime by crime prevention and by-law enforcement.
“We are not here to deal with the past‚ we are here to deal with the future. The metro police are here and they are combat ready.
“The train has left the station and they are ready [to fight crime].”
Jordaan disputed claims of the event being a smokescreen‚ vowing to have officials on the street as early as next week.
“The establishment of the metro police will not disadvantage any of our staff members or threaten their job security in any way. Instead‚ it will create opportunities for further training‚ employment and career growth‚” he said.
The launch comes a month after former Correctional Services commissioner Linda Mti was appointed executive director of safety and security.
TMG Digital/HeraldLive
Police ‘showcase’ launch marred by clashes
In an ironic twist‚ angry clashes between disgruntled traffic officials and police disrupted the launch of Nelson Mandela Bay’s long-awaited additional law enforcement unit on Friday.
While municipal leadership presented a showcase outside the City Hall of what the new metro police force would look like – saying boots would be on the ground from next week – protesting workers labelled the event a political stunt and “smokescreen”.
The launch comes after seven years of delays and empty promises – along with the appointment of two highly paid police chiefs who operated without staff – despite the policing service being given the green light in 2009.
The Public Order Policing Unit‚ also known as the riot police‚ was roped in to monitor protesting traffic officials in an attempt to prevent disruptions to the launch.
But about 60 protesters‚ some in traffic officer uniforms and driving official branded vehicles‚ stood on the street watching the event before pouncing.
As mayor Danny Jordaan took to the podium‚ protesters started chanting and dancing‚ turning on their traffic-car sirens.
Police quickly confronted the protesters and ripped cords out of one of the traffic vehicles.
South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) shop steward and traffic officer Libhoyi Nangu‚ who was part of the protest‚ called the launch a smokescreen‚ claiming it was a political stunt to gain votes.
“Negotiations are still under way so how can they launch? This is a grandstand for the elections. We want to know what is going to happen to our future [in the municipality] when they take us into the metro police‚” he said.
“There will be no [officials on the ground] until this is resolved‚ despite what they say.”
Jordaan said the newly formed police force aimed to reduce crime by crime prevention and by-law enforcement.
“We are not here to deal with the past‚ we are here to deal with the future. The metro police are here and they are combat ready.
“The train has left the station and they are ready [to fight crime].”
Jordaan disputed claims of the event being a smokescreen‚ vowing to have officials on the street as early as next week.
“The establishment of the metro police will not disadvantage any of our staff members or threaten their job security in any way. Instead‚ it will create opportunities for further training‚ employment and career growth‚” he said.
The launch comes a month after former Correctional Services commissioner Linda Mti was appointed executive director of safety and security.
TMG Digital/HeraldLive
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