/ 9 February 2009

Samwu announces end to JMPD strike

The City of Johannesburg has agreed to demands from the South African Municipal Workers’ Union to have Johannesburg metro police department (JMPD) Chief Chris Ngcobo suspended until an investigation into corruption allegations against him is concluded.

This was confirmed to the Mail & Guardian Online on Monday by Samwu spokesperson Dumisani Langa.

Ngcobo’s suspension brings to an end the week-long strike by JMPD officials, who downed tools on Monday February 2 citing corruption in their ranks.

The City of Johannesburg had last Wednesday granted three of what it termed core issues in the memorandum of demands tabled by the striking JMPD officials. Samwu then rejected calls to end the strike, citing Ngcobo’s continuing presence in the department as a reason.

The core demands initially addressed by the city’s management included that a licensing official, known only as Ms Essau, be suspended; that the deputy director in the internal affairs unit be suspended; and that the JMPD should not re-engage retired officers.

Ngcobo’s suspension is a result of an intervention by the African National Congress Gauteng office, at Samwu’s request. The chief of police is a political appointee and his removal required a political solution.

JMPD officials are expected to report back to work on Tuesday.