Disciplinary action against Ekurhuleni metro police officers for illegal strike
The City of Ekurhuleni has initiated stern disciplinary proceedings against 389 officers of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) after their involvement in an illegal strike and blockade that caused major disruptions on March 19, 2025.
The protest, which aimed to address ongoing grievances concerning labour conditions, led to significant disruption, severely affecting traffic flow and inconveniencing thousands of daily commuters, while also obstructing access to the vital OR Tambo International Airport.
EMPD officers, recognised as personnel in essential services under South African law, are mandated to maintain public safety and order.
'As EMPD officers, these individuals are classified under essential services, mandated to uphold public safety and order. Their participation in prohibited strike action constitutes gross misconduct, undermining public trust and violating labour laws as stipulated in the Labour Relations Act.
"All implicated officers have been issued pre-dismissal notices and are suspended from duty pending the outcome of their disciplinary hearings. They are required to submit any city-issued equipment, including vehicles, firearms, and official access cards, until the conclusion of the disciplinary process,' the statement read.
It is further revealed that in light of the situation, the city has entered into discussions with the South African Police Service (SAPS) to ensure an uninterrupted policing presence, reinforcing the city's promise to uphold public safety and service delivery.
The alignment is further formalised through a memorandum of understanding signed between the city and the minister of police.
When this happened, the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) had framed the officers' protest as a justified response to ongoing grievances, including significant labour-related concerns such as salary disparities, cuts to overtime pay, and deteriorating working conditions.
President Thulani Ngwenya has been vocal about the need to address these issues without allowing them to devolve into political grandstanding.
'These are workers' issues that require urgent and focused attention,' Ngwenya asserted.
'EMPD personnel provide their labour in exchange for compensation, and they are simply demanding that this compensation be fair and just. This is not a political matter but a labour relations matter that should be treated with the seriousness it deserves.'
POPCRU has been unwavering in its commitment to protecting the rights of law enforcement officers and condemns the ongoing exploitation linked to austerity measures that have led to unfair salary adjustments for EMPD and other traffic officers.
Ngwenya emphasised that these cost-cutting measures have imposed detrimental burdens on the officers, undermining both their livelihoods and their ability to serve the community effectively.
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