Police, prison warders and traffic officers might join strike

Lusanda Bill
26 August 2010

Police, prison warders and traffic officers have indicated that they may join the strike.

On Wednesday 145,000 traffic officers, prison warders and police indicated they may be joining the ongoing national public service strike on Saturday.

A national police spokesperson has stated that there is an interdict that prohibits all members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) from embarking on a strike.

Brigadier Sally de Beer from SAPS said "Employees of the SAPS, both those employed under the South African Police Service Act and those employed under the Public Service Act, may not in terms of the SAPS Act and in terms of this interim interdict withhold their labour or participate in strike action. Any contravention of this prohibition will lead to disciplinary action being taken, which may include summary dismissal from the police service”.

There seems to be no end to the public service strike, but today government has called all unions to return to the negotiating table.