The Msunduzi Municipality is facing a revolt from its traffic officers, who have accused their manager of abuse of power, assaulting and threatening junior staff members and of having failed to fill vacancies.
On Wednesday, the traffic officers picketed outside the Pietermaritzburg City Hall, delivering a memorandum of grievances that was accepted by acting City Manager Neli Ngcobo. The officers alleged that there have been several instances where traffic employees were ill-treated by management.
In their memorandum, they made allegations of assault. On February 21, 2025, the manager allegedly physically assaulted his subordinate in front of an Inspector, an Independent Municipal & Allied Trade Union union representative, and other traffic officers. The workers described the manager as a bully and a dictator.
Furthermore, the workers highlighted the failure to provide adequate tools for their trade. They alleged that traffic patrol vehicles are insufficient and that some traffic officers are not issued with firearms.
“Authorised officers are not provided with a transport form for reporting to their traffic control areas, forcing some to use their personal vehicles and travel more than four kilometres,” stated the memorandum.
The officers also raised concerns about unpaid overtime. “Since 2021, on certain occasions, Traffic Inspectors, Traffic Officers, Traffic Wardens, and Authorised Officers have worked overtime during various events such as the Save Marathon, Comrades Marathon, Amashova, and various festive season operations, but to date, these overtime claims have still not been paid. The overtime claim forms were signed and submitted accordingly.”
South African Municipal Workers' Union leader Xolani Ntshangase stated that the staff in Msunduzi has made many complaints against this particular senior manager and the issues have not been addressed. These include abuse of workers, assault of junior staff, and making threats against another employee.
“So far, he has been above the law, and we have complained to the municipality. What we are now saying is that he should be disciplined,” Ntshangase concluded.
The municipality had not responded to a request for comment by the time of publication.