Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) officers have taken to the streets in protest, blocking several highways within the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan area, demanding salary adjustments, improved working conditions, and fair treatment.
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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