Traffic mayhem as striking JMPD workers block M2
Johannesburg motorists using the M2 highway were urged to use alternative routes on Thursday afternoon after protesting Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) employees barricaded the road in both directions.
The workers, who are affiliated with the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) and Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union (Imatu), were demonstrating over wages.
SAMWU regional secretary Thobani Nkosi confirmed that there was a meeting around the wage demands of metro police officers.
“The purpose of the meeting today was to give workers feedback in relation to salary disparities in JMPD, rates and pay particularly around security officers that were enforced in 2018 – and all other metro police officers.”
[Happening Now]: @CoJPublicSafety employees have shut down the M2 this afternoon. Theres an issue on wages. @David_S_Tembe enroute to address them pic.twitter.com/yHGFeRXtOP
— #BuyaMthethoGroundForce (@IamTlotlego) August 18, 2022
JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla said crowd management would be deployed to the area as they expect heavy congestion during peak period.
“I can confirm there has been no damage to property, no one has been injured and we are closely monitoring the situation.”
Fihla confirmed the protest was wage related but said he could not give further detail due to “legal issues”.
Public Safety MMC David Tembe was set to address the protesting workers on Thursday afternoon.
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