CRIMINALS and road traffic offenders in Durban could have a field day this Christmas if the municipality does not respond "positively" to the South African Municipal Workers Union's demands by Monday.
This is the warning by the union (Samwu) to eThekwini municipality following an "organised protest" by scores of metro police officers who picketed outside the police force's headquarters yesterday.
During the picket, members called for eThekwini municipality metro police chief Eugene Nzama to be replaced.
They also demanded that the position of deputy head of operations be filled immediately.
Samwu regional secretary Nhlanhla Nyandeni said they had been calling for Nzama's head for years, without any success.
He said other grievances they had been raising for almost a decade "fell on deaf ears and they now feel that it's time to act".
"Metro police risk their lives and fight crime within the municipality. This problem of mix-matching skills is a big problem," Nyandeni said.
"We warn the municipality to come back to us with a positive response by Monday, failing which we will mobilise all other metro police regions to join the strike.
"We will not render any service though we know this will affect citizens more than officials.
"Metro Police is the biggest unit within the municipality and offers essential service, but it's the one that is not taken care of."
Some officers, who asked not to be named, complained that they had been working on a contract basis for more than five years. One said she had been a constable for 18 years without any promotion.
She said: "In 2005 a sergeant position was advertised and I applied. I was interviewed and shortlisted.
"I was later given the position but five days before I could start I was informed that I was one subject short, so I was redeployed to constable position and how is that for poor human resources?"
Officers also accused Nzama of unequal treatment because he allowed certain members to take the force's vehicles home even when they were off duty.
Nzama was not available for comment at the time of going to press.
Councillor Zandile Gumede, who accepted the memorandum on behalf of mayor James Nxumalo, promised a response by Monday.
"We are a caring municipality and I want to assure officers that the memo will receive attention."
'Meet our demands or crime will rise'
CRIMINALS and road traffic offenders in Durban could have a field day this Christmas if the municipality does not respond "positively" to the South African Municipal Workers Union's demands by Monday.
This is the warning by the union (Samwu) to eThekwini municipality following an "organised protest" by scores of metro police officers who picketed outside the police force's headquarters yesterday.
During the picket, members called for eThekwini municipality metro police chief Eugene Nzama to be replaced.
They also demanded that the position of deputy head of operations be filled immediately.
Samwu regional secretary Nhlanhla Nyandeni said they had been calling for Nzama's head for years, without any success.
He said other grievances they had been raising for almost a decade "fell on deaf ears and they now feel that it's time to act".
"Metro police risk their lives and fight crime within the municipality. This problem of mix-matching skills is a big problem," Nyandeni said.
"We warn the municipality to come back to us with a positive response by Monday, failing which we will mobilise all other metro police regions to join the strike.
"We will not render any service though we know this will affect citizens more than officials.
"Metro Police is the biggest unit within the municipality and offers essential service, but it's the one that is not taken care of."
Some officers, who asked not to be named, complained that they had been working on a contract basis for more than five years. One said she had been a constable for 18 years without any promotion.
She said: "In 2005 a sergeant position was advertised and I applied. I was interviewed and shortlisted.
"I was later given the position but five days before I could start I was informed that I was one subject short, so I was redeployed to constable position and how is that for poor human resources?"
Officers also accused Nzama of unequal treatment because he allowed certain members to take the force's vehicles home even when they were off duty.
Nzama was not available for comment at the time of going to press.
Councillor Zandile Gumede, who accepted the memorandum on behalf of mayor James Nxumalo, promised a response by Monday.
"We are a caring municipality and I want to assure officers that the memo will receive attention."
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