eThekwini Metro Police face R80m overtime crisis amid understaffing

STAFF shortages, long hours, and additional duties not budgeted for are wreaking havoc on the eThekwini Metro Police operations, forcing the unit to spend up to R20 million each month on overtime pay.

- THAMI MAGUBANE

Since the beginning of the financial year in July, the unit has spent close to R80m, averaging between R19m and R20m each month.

This figure is much higher than the one city councillors were recently briefed on. At a recent meeting, councillors were informed that the unit had spent about R37m on overtime pay, which they had already expressed serious reservations about.

The Head of Metro Police, Sbonelo Mchunu, detailed the challenges faced by the unit. He stated that staff shortages, additional mandates, and the unpredictable nature of policing work are contributing to the spiralling cost of overtime.

"The R37 million mentioned by the councillor is too low; for the months of July, August, and September, we have been paying about R19 million to R20 million in overtime. We are still to pay the October account, which will then put the figure at R80 million in total to date," he said.

"The unit is assigned many duties that contribute to the overtime pay. We are tasked with protecting senior officials and councillors, which is not part of our mandate, and not budgeted for contributing to the need for overtime.