Illegal EMPD strike causes major traffic disruptions

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Illegal EMPD strike causes major traffic disruptions.

A surprise protest by the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) on Wednesday morning, March 19, 2025, caused severe traffic disruptions across the city. Officers used their official vehicles to block key roads, demanding salary adjustments and better working conditions.

The City of Ekurhuleni quickly responded, with Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Finance, Jongizizwe Dlabathi, announcing a new approach to address the grievances. “We want to establish a better process of engaging, meaning that there will be a team from the mayoral committee leading discussions with the aggrieved officers and the labor union,” said Dlabathi.

The unauthorized strike paralyzed key routes, including the R24 westbound between OR Tambo and Electron Interchanges, and the N3 northbound between Heidelberg and Elands. By the time of writing, traffic flow had largely returned to normal.

EMPD members protested a drastic cut in overtime hours, which they claim has significantly impacted their financial stability. Previously, officers worked 60 to 80 hours of overtime per month, but the new limit is just 16 hours. “This drastic reduction will place officers below the standard living scale and erode their financial security, affecting their families and well-being,” the officers stated in their memorandum of demands dated February 26, 2025.

Salary disparities fuel discontent among officers

EMPD officers also expressed frustration over pay discrepancies, alleging that top officials recently received salary increases while frontline officers did not. They demanded that previous overtime earnings be incorporated into their basic salaries.

City spokesperson Zweli Dlamini defended the reductions, stating, “These reductions form part of the City’s broader financial sustainability strategy aimed at ensuring responsible fiscal management and efficient service delivery.” He also condemned the illegal protest, emphasizing that it compromised public safety and disrupted thousands of commuters.

In response to the escalating tensions, the mayoral committee is stepping in to lead discussions. Dlabathi assured that the City would thoroughly investigate the officers’ concerns. “We are optimistic that after the agreed process, we will be in a position to respond issue by issue. In essence, we have agreed to that process, and let’s allow that process to unfold,” he stated.

An EMPD officer involved in the strike confirmed that a meeting with municipal officials was scheduled for Thursday. “If they can’t resolve our issues, we are coming back again on March 27 to disrupt their State of the City address,” the officer warned.

EFF backs EMPD protest, calls for leadership overhaul

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), which co-governs Ekurhuleni with the ANC, threw its support behind the protesting officers. The party criticized City officials for ignoring EMPD’s repeated attempts to address their grievances. “Before engaging in this demonstration, EMPD officers and labour unions repeatedly engaged the department, including the MMC and the executive mayor’s office. However, these officials have collectively failed to adequately address the legitimate concerns of the law enforcement personnel,” the EFF stated.

The party also blamed EMPD’s decline on poor management, corruption, and neglect. It called for the immediate removal of the MMC for Community Safety, Sizakele Masuku, accusing her of failing law enforcement personnel.