Jhb metro cops march in city
2006-05-23 16:45
Johannesburg - Johannesburg metropolitan police officers will stop at nothing to have their grievances heard by city manager Mavela Dlamini, the SA Municipal Workers Union said on Tuesday.
Metro police officers marched from Beyers Naude Square to the metro centre, causing some of the inner city streets to be closed to traffic on Tuesday.
Union spokesperson Dumisane Langa said Samwu was protesting against the metro police's "incompetent head of department and corrupt investigating officers within the metro police's internal affairs unit.
"A lot of unresolved demands have been piling up since 2002 and we have had enough of our departmental head Chris Ngcobo. His contract has expired and we appeal that it should not be renewed.
"He is an irresponsible autocratic leader who cannot address crucial issues appropriately. He always hires incompetent people who will do whatever it takes to please him. They are unable to take decisions without running them through Ngcobo," Langa said.
Samwu was also calling for the abolition of the internal affairs department, which Langa said, was a "kangaroo court" controlled by Ngcobo.
"The internal affairs office is supposed to be disciplining employees on issues of misconduct. But when it comes to Ngcobo's people, nothing is done. They overlook them because they are afraid of what Ngcobo might do to them. Also, when someone is unlawfully suspended, their grievances are not heard because of Ngcobo," he said.
Langa said the duties of the internal affairs office should be handed over to line managers to ensure a harmonious working relationship between all employees. The Johannesburg city manager should rather re-deploy Ngcobo to the Johannesburg zoo or the fresh produce market where he would deal with fewer staff members.
"Ngcobo has been here for five years and everyone is disgruntled. He does not take anything seriously. In 2002, an external company was appointed to run a survey of our department and to this day, none of the recommendations were implemented. Taxpayers money was wasted on that survey.
Langa said they were also in dispute against their salaries, which, according to him, Ngcobo refuses to review.
"We don't get paid for overtime and on Sundays we are supposed to be paid double, but that does not apply under Ngcobo's rule," Langa said.
Johannesburg city manager Dlamini had seven days to address the grievances, otherwise the metro police would go on an indefinite strike, Langa said.
Metro police spokesperson Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said there was nothing Ngcobo could say concerning the matter.
"Those accusations and allegations should be dealt with by the city manager," Minnaar said.
Attempts to gain comment from the Johannesburg city council were unsuccessful.
- SAPA