The South African Policing Union (Sapu) will be launching a strike on Friday, just as the Labour Appeal Court interdicted the National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) from continuing its wage strike, a picket, or any other form of action.

The union will be making an appeal to make sure of the strike's continuation.

Sapu is preparing to join Nehawu’s strike action, which has entered its second week.

Speaking exclusively to Polity on Monday, Sapu second VP Peter Ntsime said it took note of the interdict and is was studying it.

Workers are demanding a 10% increase while government can only furnish 3%.

“We have two Acts of Employment which are the SAPS Act and Public Service Act whereby employees employed in terms of the Public Service Act are allowed to strike as they do not render essential service. Even those who render essential services when they are off from work can join the picket line,” he said.

Ntsime said the strike was legally allowed and that the strike on their part would continue despite the interdict against Nehawu.

“It is very clear that we are dealing with an arrogant employer and people who do not care for public servants in this country. We are dealing with people who have shown us that their interest is nothing else except their own pockets,” he said.

Ntsime said that the employer was being risky for their lack of positive response to the grievances of public servants.

“This is what we call a service-level agreement where an employer must come and engage with us regarding the service that we provide. We must be clear, however, that it is the employer who is taking the risk because of their lack of interest in taking responsibility in terms of protecting its workers,” he added.