Striking metro cops warned

2009-07-03 19:03

Johannesburg - Metro police department employees in the city who abandoned their duties in support of colleagues facing disciplinary action will be punished, metro police said on Friday.

Acting chief David Tembe warned all officials who left their stations to support members facing disciplinary action on Wednesday that they would be punished, said Inspector Edna Mamonyane.

"The punishment will either be in the form of a warning letter or the application of the no work no pay principle."

About 20 patrol vehicles were towed to the department and the responsible officers were still without the cars. This was after they allegedly used the cars to drive to Martindale where the disciplinary procedure was being held.

Disciplinary hearing

"They went and parked the patrol cars at the expense of the taxpayers. Because of their action we are sitting with a backlog of learners' and drivers' license tests."

Tembe had since requested all his directors take responsibility and act against the implicated employees, Mamonyane said.

Licensing offices and testing stations including Midrand, Randburg, Langlaagte and Marlboro were closed on Wednesday due to the incident.

The disciplinary hearing for 37 officials was held at the public safety headquarters in Martindale.

They faced disciplinary action for their alleged involvement in blockading major roads in the city centre in a protest for wage increases and against nepotism in the department last year.
 

- SAPA