INLSA
Wendy Jasson da Costa
A NUMBER of eThekwini metro police staff are threatening to protest further after Director Rajen Chin, head of specialised units, returned to work just days after being reassigned to another position by former municipal manager Michael Sutcliffe.
Yesterday Chin, who had been on leave since Monday, said the staff were jealous of his good work ethic and possibly his close working relationship with metro police head Eugene Nzama.
Just before Christmas, metro police workers belonging to the SA Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) went on a go-slow over several unresolved workplace grievances. These included the promotion of Chin last January, which they contested, saying he was not qualified for the job.
“Maybe it’s because I’m a straight, honest worker and I stand for the right thing… I’ve also been involved in a lot of disciplinary proceedings where people have been dismissed,” said Chin. He also hinted at racism, but refused to go into detail.
Chin said he was notified of his reassignment while on leave in December. A few days later he was called to a meeting with the human resources department, where his new post was explained to him.
However, he had produced proof of his qualifications and was told that his redeployment was cancelled.
Samwu members were angry that they had not been informed that Chin’s reassignment had been cancelled.
Chin said he had been in the metro police for 25 years, had studied for his qualifications and acquired them honestly. “I waited all this time to get promoted. If it’s my time (to be promoted), it’s my time.”
Metro police spokesman Eugene Msomi referred The Mercury to the office of the mayor, “as the matter was dealt with at that level”.
On Monday, municipal spokesman Thabo Mofokeng said the new municipal manager, Sibusiso Sithole, had not been fully briefed on the issue and could not comment.
