The Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety has voiced deep concern over the suspension of more than 300 officers from the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD), following their alleged participation in an illegal strike in March 2025.
The mass suspensions — one of the largest disciplinary actions in South African policing in recent years — have raised serious questions about police discipline, labour disputes, and the immediate impact on public safety in the region.
According to reports, the officers were suspended after allegedly abandoning their posts in protest over grievances related to working conditions, salaries, and alleged mismanagement within the department. The committee has urged authorities to handle the matter swiftly and fairly, warning that the prolonged absence of such a large number of officers could leave communities vulnerable.
“We cannot afford a security vacuum, especially with the levels of crime we are seeing in parts of Ekurhuleni,” said the committee in a statement. “But we also recognize the need for due process and the importance of accountability within law enforcement.”
The EMPD has not yet disclosed when the internal disciplinary proceedings will conclude, but officials say they are working to ensure service delivery continues through the deployment of remaining officers and support from other law enforcement agencies.
Labour unions have meanwhile condemned the suspensions, accusing the department of overreach and failure to engage constructively with workers’ concerns.
The Portfolio Committee has requested a full report from EMPD leadership and is calling for urgent mediation between city officials and police unions to prevent further disruption.
As tensions simmer, residents of Ekurhuleni are left asking who is protecting their streets — and whether trust in the metro police can be restored.
