Festive season safety | Cele’s leave instruction is illegal, says SAPU

JOHANNESBURG - The South African Policing Union says Police Minister Bheki Cele’s instruction for police officers not to be granted leave during the festive season is illegal.

It follows Cele's announcement that no officers will be granted leave this festive season.

The union’s spokesperson Lesiba Thobakgale says police officers will take their leave days whether the minister likes it or not.

SAPU says officers are allowed to enjoy their labour rights like any other public servant.

"We know the drill when it comes to that…That members who work, there will always be members who will work during the festive season operations.

"It looks like he forgot even when he was National Commissioner that members have their leave submitted in January. The issue is about the percentage which members can take leave and so on," Thobakgale said.

"For him to give that illegal instruction to the national commissioner… we’re saying no to it, it’s overstepping his toes."