By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
South African Policing Union (SAPU) to embark on a nationwide strike until its salary demands were met.
This was according to the SA Policing Union (Sapu) national spokesperson, Lesiba Tsobakgale.
Tsobakgale insisted that employers should pay the 10% increase without hesitation because public servants rendered their duties and delivered services to the public as regulated.
He said the strike would start on March 17.
Tsobakgale said the strike was the only way to get their demands met and advised the public to not panic about their safety since it was only police members who would be off duty who would take part in the strike.
SAPU is the majority union in the S.A.Police Services representing in excess of 60,000 members of the Service.
On Monday, the Labour Appeal Court interdicted any industrial action by trade union Nehawu, its members and employees.
Public Servants Association (PSA) spokesperson Reuben Maleka said they did not condone the strike because people used essential services every day.
“We are in the process of making negotiations so that everyone comes out happy in the end.
“Even though we cannot confirm that public servants will get the 10% in the meantime, we want to ensure that the strike does not turn into a violent one,” said Maleka.
National police spokesperson Colonel Athlenda Mathe confirmed that SAPS had only received a notice from SAPU, not Popcru.
“Only members who are allowed to strike will be able to partake in the strike. The majority of SAPS employees are Police Act members, which include operational members and the 10111 call takers and dispatchers, who are deemed an essential service and are not allowed to partake in any form of strike.
“South Africans can rest assured that it will be business as usual across all stations and all SAPS service points.
A spokesperson for the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru), Richard Mamabolo, said the national executive committee would take a decision on the strike this week.