THE DEPARTMENT of Transport has vehemently denied claims that there will be no overtime pay for traffic officers during the festive season.
Provincial head of department Chris Hlabisa described the reports as untrue, inaccurate and misleading to the public.
He said in terms of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act overtime worked by any government employee should not exceed 30percent of their salary and that includes traffic officers.
"The operational plan for the provincial Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) for this financial year clearly states that each officer is entitled to only 40 hours of planned overtime and that still stands," Hlabisa said.
"Further to that, the KwaZulu-Natal government's cost-cutting measures, which also includes the department of transport, does not affect RTI's overtime during the festive season in any way."
Hlabisa said the operational plan clearly stipulates that during December planned overtime would be limited to 56 hours an officer and in January 48 hours, which was in line with the original annual overtime plan approved by the head of department in April 2009.
"Any overtime in excess of this must be supported by an occurrence book entry indicating the SAPS or Ambulance and Emergency Medical Services number as proof."
Hlabisa also revealed that by December, there would be more officers employed.
"The department currently boasts 938 RTI officers and in December, 102 additional new traffic officers will be graduating.
"So the department's law enforcement unit will be better capacitated to police this densely populated province.
"As a province, we are more than ready for the festive season."
no brakes on Traffic cops
THE DEPARTMENT of Transport has vehemently denied claims that there will be no overtime pay for traffic officers during the festive season.
Provincial head of department Chris Hlabisa described the reports as untrue, inaccurate and misleading to the public.
He said in terms of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act overtime worked by any government employee should not exceed 30percent of their salary and that includes traffic officers.
"The operational plan for the provincial Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) for this financial year clearly states that each officer is entitled to only 40 hours of planned overtime and that still stands," Hlabisa said.
"Further to that, the KwaZulu-Natal government's cost-cutting measures, which also includes the department of transport, does not affect RTI's overtime during the festive season in any way."
Hlabisa said the operational plan clearly stipulates that during December planned overtime would be limited to 56 hours an officer and in January 48 hours, which was in line with the original annual overtime plan approved by the head of department in April 2009.
"Any overtime in excess of this must be supported by an occurrence book entry indicating the SAPS or Ambulance and Emergency Medical Services number as proof."
Hlabisa also revealed that by December, there would be more officers employed.
"The department currently boasts 938 RTI officers and in December, 102 additional new traffic officers will be graduating.
"So the department's law enforcement unit will be better capacitated to police this densely populated province.
"As a province, we are more than ready for the festive season."