Services at the Thulamela Municipality office complex came to a standstill last Thursday after municipal traffic officials barricaded all the entrances, using their patrol vehicles.

It was also a free for all, as taxi drivers offloaded passengers even in the middle of the road, knowing fully that there were no officers. The officers under the traffic, safety and law enforcement in the community services department have downed tools and vowed not to return to work until their grievances have been attended to. They have given management seven working days to attend to their grievances, failing which they would take further action “that would hit the municipality hard”.

Actions include the barricading of the main road at the Mvudi River, which is the main entry point and exit point inThohoyandou.

Officers claim that eight of their colleagues resigned last year because of the bad working conditions, two had died and not all have been replaced.

Grievances include, amongst others, a shortage of vehicles or cars not in good condition, which makes it impossible to chase offenders and also to escort government officials as they use high-powered vehicles.

They also complained of low salaries, “which is run along discriminatory lines,” with new officers getting more than the old ones. The officers complained about not being given overtime and have vowed that they will not work over the Easter weekend. “We are a bigger municipality than Mutale, but officers at Mutale get paid more than what we get here. This is a disgrace and we cannot let this situation continue like this,” one officer said.

Thulamela municipality spokesperson Mr Nndwamato Tshiila described the incident as a minor misunderstanding. “We heard about their concerns and we immediately arranged to meet them. They have grievances which need to be ironed out,” he said.

He said the relevant authorities were looking into their problems and said they had all agreed to go back to work.

At the time of going to press, Mirror was reliably informed that all officers had been disarmed and that no amicable solution had been reached.