The SA Police Union (Sapu) on Monday called on police officers to overlook their grievances over overtime payments for the sake of peaceful elections.

"We are calling on our members to sacrifice on behalf of the country because we are sensing that some members might refuse to engage in overtime duties at this critical moment when police officers are needed most," said spokesperson Bernard Machakela.

Some officers had made it known that they would boycott work on election day as they were unhappy with the introduction of the new "special daily allowance for police in special events" payment method.

Machakela said officers were used to being paid on an hourly rate, based on their salary scale, while the new system meant that those who put in more working hours would suffer.

"Whether you work ten hours or two hours you will receive a specific amount. We are dismayed and disappointed that the SAPS management, fully aware that the police are the lowest paid in the entire civil service, is still exploiting officers.

Meagre earnings

"The police are earning peanuts... it is worse now that the overtime payment that was not enough is going to be cut further down," Machakela said.

While the union intended taking the matter to arbitration, Machakela urged officers to co-operate for the elections, saying that the union would do whatever it took to ensure that officers availed themselves for Wednesday's elections.

"Sapu would like to assure the public that we will do everything in our power to make sure that our members act in a responsible manner," he said.

The union had not signed the new agreement but senior Superintendent Vish Naidoo said Sapu was consulted during the introduction of the new system.

"This agreement was reached after consultation with the union and the safety and security sectoral bargaining council. I'm not sure why the union is issuing a statement like that... I'm really confused. What was agreed upon is what is going to be implemented. I cannot pre-empt what will happen after that," said Naidoo.