Pretoria - Gauteng police administration staff are set to take to the streets this morning as they demand better salary grades.
The protesters are expected to march from Mary Fitzgerald Square to the Johannesburg Central Police Station.
On Wednesday, the administrative staff at police stations and 10111 call centres operators staged marches across seven provinces.
The strike by police administrative staff has been called by the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru).
The union wants police management to incorporate administration staff, who are currently “Public Service Act” employees, into the police.
If that were to happen, it would mean administrative staff, including clerks, would fall within the pay bracket of constables.
This would require SAPS to spend R900 million more a year on salaries, money which SAPS management has told the union it does not have.
Yesterday, SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Phuti Setati said although they respect the right of the administrative staff to strike, which is illegal, the protest action will be closely monitored.
“The no work, no pay principle will apply and participants can face disciplinary action,” said Setati, who warned against intimidation of those who do not want to strike.
According to Setati, SAPS management is still in talks with the union. He further dismissed fears that the strike could result in emergency calls going unanswered, among others, saying that they have contingency plans in place. - SAnews.gov.za
