Days after the postponement of the official launch of the Mangaung Metro Police Department (MMPD), the metro police was seen barricading their employer’s offices, with the accusation that they had not been officially appointed. This morning no residents, employees or political officials could get access to the Bram Fischer building.
Allegations surrounding the MMPD were that the department had not been officially introduced to the city, members had not been officially appointed and some of the employees had criminal records.
According to Mokgadi Kganakga, DA Councillor from the Free State, on arrival, she and her colleagues could not gain access to their offices, even just to collect their laptops. She added that the MMPD received instructions from their brigadier not to let anyone into the building. “They told us they were striking because they had not received their appointment letters.” Kganakga said the opinion of the DA is that the MMPD was very controversial, this after seeing them patrolling the city this past week, even since the postponement of the official launch. She felt if the MMPD was there to protect and serve the city, how could they resolve issues in that manner?
Armand Cloete, MPL from the VF Plus alleged that this was what happened when people with criminal records were being appointed to protect and serve the city. “This is what happens when you give them police vehicles and ammunition,” Cloete said. He explained this was a labour issue and it should be handled as such, the MMPD could not choose to handle the issue in the manner they did.
Acting City Manager of the MMM, Sello More, said there had been serious engagements with regard to the MMPD. He agreed that there were certain processes that did not go as planned and which required an administrative correction. “There was a misinterpretation of the appointment of the Metro Police officials.” According to him, a meeting was held with various stakeholders on Tuesday and today’s intention was to check how they could correct these processes. He was hopeful that they were close to reaching a consensus. He denied the allegations that there were some Metro Police officials who have criminal records.
Corn Koteli & Sazly Hartzenberg
