TRAFFIC officers in the Nelson Mandela Bay metropolitan municipality in Eastern Cape did not report for duty this weekend.
TRAFFIC officers in the Nelson Mandela Bay metropolitan municipality in Eastern Cape did not report for duty this weekend.
Municipal spokesperson Luncedo Njezula yesterday confirmed that "most" of the traffic officers who were supposed to be on duty in Port Elizabeth, Uitenhage and Despatch did not show up for work on Friday and Saturday.
Njezula said there were about 130 traffic officers in the municipality. But could not confirm the number of those who had not arrived for work over the Christmas weekend.
"The traffic officers do not all work at the same time. Most of them who were supposed to work on the day did not show up for their shifts," he said.
Njezula said there were officers on stand-by in case of emergencies but no major incidents were reported. He confirmed that the traffic officers were back at work yesterday.
Samwu provincial secretary Siphiwo Ndunyana said he was aware that there was "a problem in that municipality".
Ndunyana said the municipality had issued a notice last week to "disestablish" the traffic and security departments without consultation with the union.
He said the municipality wanted to integrate the departments into an integrated metro police department. - Namhla Tshisela and Sapa
Cops stay away over Christmas
TRAFFIC officers in the Nelson Mandela Bay metropolitan municipality in Eastern Cape did not report for duty this weekend.
TRAFFIC officers in the Nelson Mandela Bay metropolitan municipality in Eastern Cape did not report for duty this weekend.
Municipal spokesperson Luncedo Njezula yesterday confirmed that "most" of the traffic officers who were supposed to be on duty in Port Elizabeth, Uitenhage and Despatch did not show up for work on Friday and Saturday.
Njezula said there were about 130 traffic officers in the municipality. But could not confirm the number of those who had not arrived for work over the Christmas weekend.
"The traffic officers do not all work at the same time. Most of them who were supposed to work on the day did not show up for their shifts," he said.
Njezula said there were officers on stand-by in case of emergencies but no major incidents were reported. He confirmed that the traffic officers were back at work yesterday.
Samwu provincial secretary Siphiwo Ndunyana said he was aware that there was "a problem in that municipality".
Ndunyana said the municipality had issued a notice last week to "disestablish" the traffic and security departments without consultation with the union.
He said the municipality wanted to integrate the departments into an integrated metro police department. - Namhla Tshisela and Sapa