Durban - Police reservists appointed in July to guard police stations in Durban say they have not been paid since they started working.
The reservists were employed to protect police stations when SAPS bosses decided to do away with private security companies.
Those interviewed by The Mercury on Monday, said their appointment had given them hope that they would earn a living and be able to support their families. “I’m still going to work [but] it is difficult since I’m now struggling to get taxi fares,” said one who was afraid to be named. “Others have stopped going to work.”
Another reservist said before she became a guard she was given transport to and from the police station, but in her new formal job, she had to pay for the taxi herself, even though she had not been paid.
“Our children see us going to work but at the end of the month we arrive home empty- handed,” she said.
The officer said they had been told their appointment as guards would be formalised in November and that a constable would earn R150 a day and a sergeant R250.
One guard said he went to the provincial police head office in Durban but was told they had not been paid because their payment had not been authorised. They could not raise the matter with the police union as they did not have the “appraisal numbers” required to join the union.
“As soon as our appointments are formalised in November, I will join a union because I need to be protected from things like this,” he said.
Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union spokesman Dliswa Mthimkhulu said the reservists were welcome to launch a complaint with the union. “Since they are part of the police system they are free to come to us with their problem, which we will discuss with management.”
Police spokesman Colonel Vishnu Naidoo said he was unaware of reservists not being paid for their guard duties. “It’s the first time I am hearing about this. If that is the case it is an isolated one. We only use reservists if there is a shortfall of full-time officers.” - The Mercury