The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) in Ekurhuleni has condemned the City of Ekurhuleni for issuing pre-dismissal notices to more than 300 Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) officers, calling the move unjust and a violation of workers’ rights.
SAMWU says the City has chosen intimidation over dialogue, accusing it of refusing to address long-standing grievances that led to the workers’ protest on 19 March 2025. Instead of constructive engagement, the union claims the municipality is using the threat of mass dismissals to silence workers.
The union is demanding the immediate withdrawal of all pre-dismissal notices and the start of good-faith negotiations. SAMWU has also vowed to explore all legal and industrial avenues to defend its members.
“We will not allow our members to be victimised for exercising their constitutional right to protest,” the union said.
The City of Ekurhuleni has yet to comment on the matter.
