Kinkelbos traffic cops lose their wheels
KINKELBOS traffic officers based along the busy N2 had their wings “clipped” after the provincial Department of Roads and Transport confiscated two vehicles following an ongoing feud centred around Resolution 14 which compels the officers to work flexi-hours.
In terms of the resolution, officers are expected to work over weekends without pay and are given two days off in the week instead.
The eight officers are stationed at Kinkelbos along the N2 outside Port Elizabeth en route to Colchester. Their duties include weighing loaded trucks.
The station has four cars – two are used by supervisors and the other two, which were confiscated yesterday, by the officers.
Provincial Roads and Transport spokesman Ncedo Kumbaca asked that media queries be e-mailed to him but did not respond by the time of going to press yesterday. In a letter signed by control provincial inspector Sidwell Millie, which was dated March 20, the officers were ordered to hand over their official vehicles to any available supervisor at Kinkelbos weighbridge.
“This emanates from you not being at work or refusing to work to your designated official hours, where you take orders from no one as your office has not been able to assign official duties to you from March 2,” Millie said.
Tempers flared yesterday when Millie arrived at the traffic offices and was embroiled in a heated argument with traffic officer Ashwell Baartman.
Millie demanded to know why Baartman had not brought his vehicle to the station as ordered.
Baartman replied that it was in a garage at home and he was permitted to keep the car until the end of the month.
When approached for comment, Millie said: “Who gave you the information? I decline to comment. Go and speak to the union that called you.”
Eric Jinikwe, provincial secretary of the South African Police Union, said officers from other stations were paid for working weekends while those affiliated to Sapu were victimised.
He accused the department of double standards. “They are now targeting our members for the stance they took.”
Although the traffic officers continue to report for duty, they are considered absent because management has removed the attendance register.