INLSA
Durbans head of metro police Eugene Nzama, says he alienated the taxi industry by insisting that they abide by the law.
Durban’s head of metro police, Eugene Nzama, says he alienated the taxi industry by insisting that they abide by the law, and this is a major reason why he was put on special leave for three months by his employer, the eThekwini municipality.
Nzama has been replaced by head of disaster management, Vincent Ngubane, for the time he is on enforced leave.
In an exclusive interview with The Mercury yesterday, the embattled police head said he was happy to take a break because he knew his handling of the taxi industry had been in the best interests of the city and other road users.
“If that is the reason for my suspension it means I have done my job very well in dealing with offending taxi drivers and vehicles which did not have permits,” he said.
But city manager S’busiso Sithole said there were a number of allegations against Nzama which would be looked into as part of an independent investigation. Complainants included trade unions, some of his metro police colleagues and members of the taxi industry.
Sithole said giving Nzama special leave meant the city would have the opportunity to investigate allegations objectively. Nzama’s personal security, he said, was a major source of concern for the city.
“We believe as a city that we should take appropriate steps to protect him (Nzama) as our employee.”
Whether or not Nzama will keep his escort of five body guards is unclear, but he will remain on the city’s payroll while he is on special leave. Late yesterday he had not confirmed whether or not he would keep his security detail.
City spokesman Thabo Mofokeng said Nzama’s life had been threatened, but declined to elaborate.
“We don’t discuss the security of our staff in the media. Those threats are being handled by the SAPS,” Mofokeng said.
Taxi bosses and drivers marched on Durban’s city hall last month to protest against the metro police, claiming they were harassing them unnecessarily. Nzama was behind the “harassment” and, they said, and was intentionally instructing the metro police to focus on them.
Nzama was unapologetic, noting that there was a team of metro police dedicated to dealing with taxis, especially those without operating permits.
“Taxis were issued with permits, and this team was instructed to ensure that those taxis which were operating had permits. If that is the reason I was put on special leave, then I have no regrets.”
Nzama said he was still trying to secure a meeting with the municipality’s human resources department to understand exactly why he was placed on special leave.
“I am taking advice from qualified people so that I know how best to deal with this situation,” he said.
Sithole said one of the problems that needed investigation was that the metro police had been unstable under Nzama’s leadership.
“The city wants to do a thorough assessment of the fundamental causes behind this instability so as to address them appropriately.”
