Police owe $$million to interdicted ranks

Mar 27, 2014 News

Another national budget has been presented and desperate former policemen and their counterparts in the other Disciplined Services are still wondering if or when they will receive benefits due to them.
The ranks, most of whom were interdicted from duty for various reasons, have been struck off strength of the various joint services organizations, with full benefits, having successfully engaged the courts.
As a result of their interdiction, which stemmed from criminal charges, most of the ranks were receiving half their salary, a situation which in the majority of cases lasted for several years.
Now after their matters would have been completed favourably for them, by the courts, they become eligible for the remainder of their salary and other benefits which were denied to them during the period of their interdiction.
In the case of policemen, their moves to claim their dues were not treated with the urgency it required.
A senior official in the force’s administration admitted that there was a delay in paying the affected ranks.
He explained that while some ranks have already received payment, there might be some problems with the paperwork for the others.
A few disgruntled ranks told this newspaper that they were informed that their payments were approved since last year February. However, they were told that they would have to wait until after last year’s budget presentation before they could be paid.
Last year’s budget has come and gone. This year’s budget was presented three days ago and still the ranks don’t know for sure when they will receive their money, which in some cases amount to more than $2M.
“A few weeks ago we queried the matter and we were told again that we would get it after the budget. Home Affairs say that they are not finding (our) documents. We have already done up our clearances to ensure that we don’t owe them a thing. That was done since last year and since then we have not heard from the police finance department,” one of the ranks lamented.
But the senior police official said that the force has no intention of disobeying the order of the court which is to pay the ranks.
“However, financial procedure is not a short process. We are aware that we have to pay. It is a matter of concern to us and the force is doing everything to rectify the situation,” the officials said.
In the meantime, the ranks said that the situation has compounded their present financial status, especially since they were only receiving half their pay for years.
“Apart from our families who are suffering, we have our lawyers to pay. Some lawyers represented us on credit and have been very patient with us,” another rank stated.

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Police owe $$million to interdicted ranks

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