Saps wins deployment battle

2003-12-24 20:49

Johannesburg - The SA Police Union's (Sapu) attempt to block the redeployment of police officials under the public service restructuring process was dismissed with costs in the Johannesburg Labour Court on Wednesday, police reported.

National police spokesperson Senior Superintendent Selby Bokaba said the SA Police Service welcomed the judgment and viewed it as victory for service delivery.

Around 2000 the government resolved to restructure the civil service, but trade unions were concerned that people would lose jobs, or be deployed to far-flung areas away from the lives they knew.

Bokaba said the Saps was aware of, and sympathetic to, these concerns, but that the government decision to restructure the service and deploy people with skills where they are needed most.

He said Sapu's attempted to block this redeployment was further marred by some "trivial excuses".

"We are in the business of providing safety, security and service, mandated by the Constitution. Wherever possible we will try to accommodate members, but we will not compromise safety and security," he said.

- SAPA