The Citizen reports that former Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) trainees chanted outside Tshwane House on Wednesday demanding to be reinstated and accusing mayor Solly Msimanga of “lying” and promising them “heaven and earth”, yet not doing anything.  

About 200 former TMPD trainees claimed they completed training courses and received diplomas, but have been without work for three years.  The trainees were initially recruited by the former ANC-led municipality for deployment, but after failing a subject in their exams in 2013, their contracts were terminated.  But they were afforded an opportunity by the former ANC-led administration to complete the course last year and Msimanga, during his election campaign, promised to reinstate them once he took office.  Derrick Kissoonduth, MMC on community safety, said the trainees only completed the first phase of training and that there were hurdles to offering them permanent employment as security guards.  He advised:  ““I have spoken to the city manager and the mayor, but to re-employ them is a process.  We suggested taking them on as security guards but, first, we need money for salaries and then uniforms.  This was not budgeted for when this decision was made.”

• Read this report by Rorisang Kgosana in full at The Citizen

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