The Msunduzi Municipality's acting City Manager, Neli Ngcobo, has vowed to deal with the grievances raised by traffic officers, who held a picket outside the City Hall in Pietermaritzburg on Wednesday.
The traffic officers raised a raft of issues, including delayed payment of overtime, lack of resources, abuse of power, and management failures.
According to South African Municipal Workers' Union leader Xolani Ntshangase, officers had previously lodged complaints against a senior manager for worker abuse, assault of junior staff, and threats against an employee, but these issues were not addressed.
The municipality told The Mercury late on Wednesday that the officers submitted a memorandum of grievances to Ngcobo, which included a request for the reinstatement of standby duty, payment for overtime, provision of new uniforms and recognition of women in management positions. They called for the municipality to address shortages of work vehicles, other tools of trade and the issues raised raised regarding the traffic department's management.
In response to the concerns raised, Ngcobo assured the staff that she is committed to addressing the issues in a timely and effective manner.
She emphasised that while necessary processes must be followed, she will develop a plan of action within 72 hours to address immediate needs. Ngcobo also stated that a thorough investigation into the other issues will be undertaken.
“We acknowledge the importance of the concerns raised by the traffic officers, and I would like to assure them that we are fully committed to resolving these matters in a fair and just manner," said Ngcobo.