The South African Police Service (SAPS) is still at loggerheads with the South African Police Union (SAPU), over the cancellation of leave dates for the Christmas period.

SAPU indicated last week that it would contest the SAPS action, because many police members had already finalised their holiday plans. Due to numerous complaints received from its members, Sapu decided to take the matter to the labour court.

Police PRO Superintendent Frans Mojapelo said in Polokwane this week that the SAPS Management had considered the matter carefully, and decided that existing leave dates should not be allowed to interfere with service delivery to the public during the festive season. "The final decision will rest with the respective department heads," he pointed out.

However, SAPU provincial chairperson Alpheus Mokale is adamant about the issue. "The SAPS has had a full year in which to do its operational planning for the festive season, and this ad hoc procedure is unacceptable," he insisted.

At the time of going to press, SAPU was still determined to resolve the issue through the labour court.