Ekurhuleni to deploy 'peace cops'
The City of Ekurhuleni wants to employ more than 1000 "peace cops" to strengthen its traffic control, bylaw enforcement and fight land invasions. But opposition parties say the municipality cannot afford more staff.The portfolio committee on community safety heard about the plan when it discussed the performance of the municipal policing units.Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department chief Bafana Mahlabe said: "The peace cops assist with traffic law enforcement. But because they are not trained metro police officers, they are used in scholar patrol. They help children cross the road. We also utilise them in traffic control during peak hours."Currently more than 700 peace cops are employed on fixed-term contract by the city and receive a stipend of about R2000.Mahlabe said the city would increase this figure to 1010 in July when it employs all the peace cops as permanent staff and can help address land invasion.DA caucus leader in Ekurhuleni, Fortune Mahano said the hiring of so many was not sustainable."Our problem with this initiative is that the city's primary job is to provide basic services. The city is battling to collect revenue yet it is now adding another burden to the council," said Mahano...
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