Addressing members of the media at Pharoe Park, a low-cost rental complex owned by the Ekurhuleni Housing Company, Xhakaza said they have big plans to develop the area.

He reaffirmed the city’s determination to reclaim the area as part of its urban renewal programme.

“It’s not only about mobility. It’s about the type of facility that we want to build there, including the type of investment we want there,” Xhakaza said.

“We will not give up. We will stand our ground with the community that is on the side of the law,” he said.

Xhakaza said he is confident that the municipality will establish a system that benefits everyone.

The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality has deployed metro police in the area to maintain law and order during the evictions.

On Tuesday, scores of residents spent the afternoon trying to salvage their belongings as municipality officials, with the help of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) and the police, evicted residents.

Xhakaza has warned Germiston communities that the municipality will not tolerate the illegal use of electricity.

“Illegal connections contribute to misuse of power and sustainability of the power that we are providing not only to the community of Germiston, but also to industry. The impact of illegal connection is huge,” he said.

The city said the majority of tenants at the complex were not paying rent and that prompted the city to remove them.

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In response to the protest, which was sparked by grievances over drastic overtime pay cuts, salary disparities, and working conditions, the city suspended all officers involved and demanded they surrender city-issued firearms, vehicles, and access cards pending disciplinary hearings. Ekurhuleni officials emphasized that EMPD officers are classified as essential service workers and are prohibited from striking under the Labour Relations Act, calling their participation a “betrayal of public trust” and a serious breach of duty.

Union Prepares Legal Challenge

The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu), representing the affected officers, has condemned the city’s actions and is preparing to mount a legal challenge. Samwu’s Ekurhuleni regional secretary, Tshephang Langa, confirmed receipt of the pre-dismissal letters and said the union is seeking more time to respond and will exhaust all internal avenues before determining its next steps. The union argues that the city’s response is heavy-handed and threatens to escalate the dispute.

Public Safety Concerns

The mass suspension has sparked concerns among Gauteng government officials and residents about the potential impact on public safety. Bandile Masuku, chair of the Gauteng Community Safety Portfolio Committee, warned that the sudden reduction in law enforcement capacity could leave communities vulnerable and hamper traffic management and by-law enforcement. He urged city leadership to implement urgent contingency measures to mitigate the risks posed by the loss of hundreds of officers.

Officers’ Demands and Public Reaction

The officers’ demands, outlined in a memorandum to EMPD management, included reversing overtime cuts, addressing pay disparities with other metro police departments, and improving working conditions, especially for high-risk units. While some members of the public sympathise with the officers’ grievances, others have condemned the protest as reckless, with civil rights groups calling for the immediate dismissal of those involved.

Tensions Remain High

Attempts to stage further protests have so far failed, but tensions remain high within the EMPD ranks. Many officers are reportedly dissatisfied with the city’s stance, and union leaders are under pressure to defend their members. The situation remains fluid as legal processes and disciplinary hearings unfold.

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Their grievances, outlined in a formal memorandum to the Head of Department and Chief of Police, include the drastic reduction of overtime pay, unfair promotions, salary disparities, and poor working conditions. However, the memorandum, which is dated “26 February 2025” appears to have gone unanswered.

Their resulting protest on Wednesday 19 March sparked widespread backlash as officers used state-owned EMPD vehicles to blockade major highways, disrupting Johannesburg’s economy and frustrating taxpayers.

One of the officers’ primary concerns is the reduction of overtime hours from 80 to just 16 per month, which they argue severely impacts their financial stability. Officers have demanded an adjustment of “60 hours overtime into basic salary.” Additionally, they demand the removal of the 32-point system, which they claim unfairly determines overtime pay eligibility.

Officers working in high-risk units such as Public Order Policing, First Response Units, and specialised task teams say they face dangerous conditions with inadequate resources while their salaries remain stagnant. Furthermore, they point to significant pay disparities between EMPD officers and their counterparts in other metro police departments, such as the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD), who reportedly work fewer days per month for higher wages.

Adding to their frustrations, officers cite long-standing issues with unfair promotions and the inconsistent application of employment equity policies. The removal of the Rapid Advancement Policy, which previously facilitated career progression, has significantly limited officers’ opportunities for promotion. According to the SAPS Act, EMPD officers should be eligible for promotion after five years of service, yet many remain stagnant in their positions while others advance through unclear and questionable processes. This has led to growing discontent, with officers demanding that the policy be reinstated to ensure a fair and transparent promotion system.

Another source of frustration is the city’s failure to address repeated demands. As far back as June 2020, EMPD officers submitted similar grievances through their union, yet five years later, no meaningful action has been taken. Officers claim that former union representatives who once championed their cause have since been promoted and have gone silent on the matter. This perceived betrayal has led EMPD officers to form an independent forum to push for their demands without union interference.

While the EMPD officers argue that their demands are justified, the method of protest has drawn heavy criticism. The demonstration saw officers blocking major roads, disrupting traffic and business operations in one of South Africa’s busiest economic hubs. Critics, including advocacy groups and members of the public, have condemned the government’s inaction, accusing officials of allowing taxpayer-funded resources to be misused in the demonstration.

A statement released by We Are South Africans, a civil rights organisation, expressed outrage over the protest, calling for the immediate dismissal of all participating officers. The organisation has urged citizens to submit photos of EMPD officials and vehicles involved in the protest, promising to expose those responsible. They further issued a warning to Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, stating that legal action would be pursued to recover damages caused by the disruption.

“The government overstepped the line when they allowed state-owned and taxpayer-funded vehicles to blockade the highways of Johannesburg. We will NOT let this one slide. We probably would have, had they used their own vehicles,” the statement read.

Public sentiment remains divided, with some supporting the officers’ demands for fair pay and better working conditions, while others believe their actions were reckless and unjustified. The City of Ekurhuleni has yet to issue a formal response, but pressure is mounting for swift action against those responsible for the disruption.

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