The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) has accused rival union South African Police Union (Sapu) of “jumping the gun” by embarking on the nationwide strike at police 10111 centres.

Popcru said the strike undermined a mediation processes underway at the bargaining council to address the workers’ demands. Sapu members downed tools on Wednesday to press for higher wages.

“This is a populist and covert stance that is solely aimed at creating a false impression that they [Sapu] have numbers and can take the employer head on, ignorant of the fact that there are processes that are continuing, and therefore jumping the gun,” Popcru said in a statement on Wednesday.

“The process of conciliation and mediation has passed without any resolution to the matter, and we are proceeding with the arbitration and are currently awaiting a date for the hearing. The outcomes will be communicated.”

The 24-hour crime reporting 10111 call centre deals with complaints by the public.

Announcing the strike, Sapu said its members were among the lowest paid call center workers. The union said the strike was as a result of deadlocked negotiations with the employer.

The police ministry said it has made contingency plans to ensure the emergency service remains operational.