METRO cops have a little something to smile about, after minimum, median and maximum salary bands were increased to be on par with those of the City.

This follows after an agreement on salaries was reached between the City of Johannesburg and the South African Municipal Workers' Union (Samwu), representing Johannesburg metropolitan police department (JMPD) staff. The agreement comes in the wake of three days of industrial action.

"Salaries have been standardised according to the different salary band categories," confirmed Gabu Tugwana, the City's communications director.

All metro police officers involved in the strike, which began on Wednesday night, 25 June, are back at work. Dumisani Langa, the Samwu spokesperson, said JMPD officers were already back at their posts by Saturday, 28 June.

New salaries
The 14-hour negotiation between the two parties dealt only with salaries. Under the new agreement, recruits attending the initial six-month theory course at the Police Academy will be paid a stipend of R2 000 a month.

Chief of metro police, Chris Nqobo and Gabu Tugwana, director of communications in the City at the media briefing
Photo: Enoch Lehung

After completing the course, trainee cops have practical training for a further six months, most of it doing typical police work at a police station. For this, they will be paid R4 200 a month.

Once they have successfully completed their year's training, newly appointed metro police officials will be paid according to the City's minimum salary band of R8 760 a month. Previously, these officers were paid R4 500 a month.

Langa confirmed that many JMPD members had been working for the agency for years, but were still earning far below the standardised salary bands for City officials. As the JMPD was only formed in 2001, previous employment with the former Johannesburg traffic department had also been taken into consideration.

Accordingly, staff with service records of six to 12 years will now be placed in the median salary band, earning over R10 000 a month; those employed for more than 12 years will now receive the maximum salary of over R13 000.

The City manager, Mavela Dlamini, confirmed that these provisions would apply once-off; would only apply to permanent JMPD staff; and may not be used in future disputes or negotiations.

The implementation of the agreement is subject to approval by the City council. JMPD staff will also receive a salary increase of 8,3 percent from 1 July.

Actions investigated
Further investigations and reports are still to follow regarding the alleged shooting that broke out between the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the JMPD on the M2 highway at the Eloff Street off-ramp, on Wednesday, 25 June.

The incident has left both law enforcement agencies with tarnished images. An internal investigation will be undertaken and a report issued to the City manager.

Langa said the skirmish erupted after a feedback meeting between the City and disgruntled JMPD officers, who had been waiting "indefinitely" for answers from the City on salary increases. The City's director of labour relations did not attend the meeting, in spite of an agreement between the parties.

But Samwu is satisfied with the latest agreement. "It is a step in the right direction."

Dlamini also issued a statement in which he condemned the actions of JMPD officers. "The City manager has apologised for the great inconvenience caused to residents and the unacceptable conduct from uniformed staff, especially since they have to adhere to special disciplinary codes of action," Tugwana said.

Dlamini has promised to take appropriate action.

In addition, the officers' allegations of nepotism, sexual harassment and the awarding of one particular tender, still had to be investigated, according to Langa.

Chris Ngcobo, the chief of police, has promised to carry out a full investigation into the alleged misconduct of certain JMPD officers. He apologised to the community for the inconvenience caused.

"We are committed to the development of the department and its officers," he said at a media briefing on 30 June.

At least two sexual harassment cases have been brought to the attention of JMPD management, one involving a person close to the chief of police. The female officer involved in one of the cases has since resigned. "These issues will be prioritised and revisited," Langa confirmed.

Photo: Enoch Lehung

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