JOHANNESBURG — A protest by disgruntled police reservists briefly turned violent in Johannesburg yesterday when police fired rubber bullets.

The reservists failed to obey an instruction to disperse, Johannesburg Metro Police spokeswoman Inspector Edna Mamonyane said.

“As the Metro Police, we did not issue a permit for the march. The march is illegal.”

Independent Online reported that ANC MP Winnie Madikizela-Mandela helped to defuse the tension between protesters and police officers.

Reservists from around the country gathered at Library Gardens in central Johannesburg in the morning to voice their frustrations.

“We want unconditional integration into the police,” said Free State spokesman Dumisani Mvula.

“People see us in uniform and think all is well, while our lives are being frustrated by promise after promise that we will be integrated, and nothing has come forth.”

He said some reservists have more than 18 years’ experience.

“The police have embarked on a recruitment drive for retired police officers, but could not consider us for recruitment. Surely retired members are older than us?”

The group handed a memorandum to Gauteng community safety MEC Khabisi Mosunkutu and to Madikizela-Mandela. In it they claimed they have been working for years without pay, only to be overlooked when permanent vacancies become available.

Mvula said the reservists were singing peacefully in the morning when the police ordered them to disperse.

“Without provocation they opened fire on us, injuring some of our members and detaining them while they were still bleeding from their wounds,” he claimed.

He said two trucks took their members to Johannesburg central police station.

By 4 pm, a few hundred protesters were still milling around, waiting for their executive committee to inform them about the latest developments.

Reservist Constable Agnes Sandile of Sebokeng said she had notched up a number of convictions during her four years of service.

“Reservists run the police station. We were trained by the state. We have experience. Why are we told we do not qualify?” she asked.

Police spokesman Superintendent Lungelo Dlamini said 74 reservists were arrested for public violence. Two were injured by rubber bullets.

Senior spokesman Director Phuti Setati could not immediately comment on the integration demands.