Staff Reporter
Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality says it is investigating circumstances surrounding a protest staged by the newly recruited metro police on Wednesday during which they blocked all entrances to its head office, the Bram Fischer Building.
All operations came to a standstill as the metro police would not allow municipal workers and security guards as well as councillors and visitors into the building demanding that acting city manager Sello More should sign their appointment letters which they have been waiting for, for several months.
They used the new metro police vehicles and collapsible barricades to block all entrances to the building.
In a statement issued on Thursday, More described the action by the metro police as unlawful conduct, adding those who took part will face disciplinary action.
“The incident, which halted municipal operations and other services in the head office precinct is unfortunate and regrettable,” he said.
“In response to the situation, the municipality summoned those employees who were responsible for this unlawful gathering and instructed them to immediately stop the interruption of the city’s operations.”
More said given the seriousness of the misconduct, the municipality would take disciplinary action against those involved.
“. . . we have embarked on a process of disciplinary action against all employees involved,” he said.
“We are further looking at strategies and ways to ensure that metro police, like all other police services in the country, do not embark on unlawful industrial action.”
The metro police unit has been embroiled in controversy following numerous objections to its establishment and the recruitment process.
The official launch of the local police was set for September 30, but was postponed indefinitely after the Mangaung Service Delivery Forum threatened to shut down the city claiming the unit was a clandestine outfit.
The metro police will operate in Bloemfontein, Thaba Nchu, Dewetsdorp, Wepener and Soutpan.