EMERGENCY Services officials, including reservists from the SAPS and South African National Defence Force, marched from Tshwane CBD to the Union Buildings to hand over a memorandum of demands to the Presidency on Friday, 6 May.
Nthai Monnye, the general of Fire Profession Council of Southern Africa, said they were demanding permanent employment for reservists who had been in service for over three months.
They also demanded for the ministry of emergency management services to house fire and rescue, disaster, emergency medical care, towing services, hazmat operations, technicians, chaplaincy and support services in order to tackle corruption and maladministration.
“We also want President Cyril Ramaphosa to declare the use of reservists as exploitation – a form of slavery that was abolished in 1834,” he said.
Monnye added that there were three groups of emergencies available, namely soldiers, SAPS and accidental emergencies workers such as fire and motor vehicles respondents.
“The problem is that divisions are fragmented under different ministries. Fire and disaster is under Corporate Governance, emergency medical case is under Health and veld firefighting under Environmental Affairs. Their mission is to save lives, protect property and environment.
“We request Ramaphosa to establish the ministry and house all emergency units under one umbrella.”
Monnye said there were serious challenges including nepotism and harassment of officials.
He added that some reservists had been working for more than 20 years.
“This is pure exploitation. We want the president to declare this as unlawful and crime against humanity. He must declare that these people should be employed permanently and be back-paid for all the time they served,” he said.
SANDF’s Victor Lwangaye said he was tired of being a reservist as they were not receiving a proper salary and benefits.
Then SAPS reservist Thendo Mulaudzi said: “We need to be employed permanently as we have served for almost 20 years. I have been working for 15 years as a reservist.”
Presidency representative Vincent Ngcobondwane received the memorandum, and said the office would give feedback within seven working days.
