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IOL News
a day ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Is the DA's call for policing power devolution just a cop-out?
The debate surrounding the devolution of policing powers reemerged over the weekend after Portfolio Committee on Police chairperson Ian Cameron attended a ride-along in Manenberg. Image: Ian Cameron/Facebook/Supplied The DA's repeated call for the devolution of policing powers is facing sharp scrutiny with one political analyst labelling it a copout. The debate surrounding devolution reemerged over the weekend after Portfolio Committee on Police chairperson Ian Cameron (DA), attended a ride-along in Manenberg. Cameron posted on social media about his ride-along which he undertook with fellow DA MPs Lisa Schickerling and Nicholas Gotsell, and how they joined the Special Operations team of the City of Cape Town's metro police in Manenberg and surrounds on Friday. 'I am a firm believer that they should have more policing powers. Why wouldn't we allow this brilliant group of people to be able to do more? Just imagine if we could do something like ballistic testing and gang violence investigation, decentralised? The impact for communities that suffer under the scourge of violence would be significant,' Cameron said. '...It's so exciting to see the work that they do, along with law enforcement, and of course, the renowned LEAP programme. 'I want to zoom in on Metro (Police), this past week I brought a motion in Parliament to ask once again that the Minister of Police (Senzo Mchunu) please give more policing power to Metro Police. 'It is significant because (they) not only do incredible work on the ground, but if they have more policing power, they could actually put more people behind bars, and keep them there… 'Imagine if they could do more investigations, or if they could do some of the ballistic testing? The legislation already allows for this,' Cameron said. In another post, Cameron elaborated that municipal officers may currently arrest and confiscate weapons but cannot build court-ready case dockets. He said that function is reserved for SAPS, 'where backlogs, skill shortages, and delays continue to cause severe disruptions in justice being served, if at all.' 'The Police Minister has the power to change this immediately. Under the SAPS Act, he can devolve investigative functions to competent municipal authorities via regulation. He has the legal authority.' In response to Cameron's remarks Police Minister Senzo Mchunu's spokesperson, Kamogelo Mogotsi, said: 'The ministry's focus is on ensuring that the high levels of crime in the country are reduced. A number of enablers have been identified by the ministry, which will be used to fight crime. 'Furthermore, following the National Policing Summit which was convened in April, various measures will be implemented that will usher in a new type of policing - one that is effective, efficient, responsive and professional.' However, political analyst Sanusha Naidu explained that this issue has been an ongoing gripe for the DA regarding what they can and cannot do under the safety and security portfolios. Naidu said that the party is seeking to mimic what the National Party wanted to do during the negotiation for the transition into democracy, 'in other words, what they want is not a unity state, but rather a devolved set of powers that are defined along the lines of a federal state'. '...This discussion around a unity state versus a federal state is that you can't go back (to when the Constitution was being made) and ask the question, as you have a Constitution that defines powers,' Naidu said. 'You have a Constitution that essentially enables for a unity state. 'The Western Cape is a push-and-pull factor of tension. It is constantly in an elasticity of tension, as you have that one issue of 'look at us, we've done so well'... The DA has used the idea that it is the ruling party in the Western Cape to push a narrative that 'we have a better handle on how to govern', now the reason why they are able to push that is because…everywhere else is broken. 'So if you look at what the DA tried to do in Gauteng, and Eastern Cape when Athol Trollip was part of the DA… they are constantly trying to push the narrative that 'we govern better' but what they don't tell you is that the governing comes from such a low base in comparison to the rest of the country.' 'When you think about the optics and narrative when you live in the City of Cape Town, you can see the contradictions of that narrative… It is a complete copout to say that you can't address the issue because we don't have the powers to do so. It is easy. 'However, let's make the assumption that we give you the powers to do so, will you be able to do it, and I think that they are hiding behind this argument… There is no tried and tested argument because we don't have a benchmark for them to try it,' Naidu said. 'There is no benchmark to say, 'hang on, is there another method or methodology or another intervention you can make?' If you are still waiting for these powers to be devolved, you have to go back to the Constitution." [email protected]
IOL News
3 days ago
- IOL News
Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya reflects on his legacy in the SAPS
Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya on Saturday delivered his last media briefing before retiring from the SAPS. Image: Ntswe Mokoena/GCIS Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya spoke fondly of his trials and tribulations, including being the best student of the course in June 1985 during his last media briefing before retiring from the SAPS on 1 June 2025. The SAPS- Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI-Hawks) held a legacy report briefing for the outgoing National Head in Pretoria on Saturday. Lebeya reflected on his tenure at the helm of the DPCI from 2018 to 2025 and offered insights into the milestones, challenges, and achievements during his leadership. In his parting shot, Lebeya recommended that part of the improvement plan for the SAPS should include: Work on capacitation of the DPCI to achieve 100% human resource capacity. Lebeya requested authority's to provide financial resources to achieve this. Work on the implementation of the remaining provisions of the SAPS Act. Work on the acquisition of the office accommodation for the personnel. Continue to work on acquisition of modern tools of trade. Continue to build the DPCI to be a criminal Investigative elite unit of South Africa. Lebeya began working in the SAPS at the Sophiatown Police Station on 12 May 1984 and said he aspired to be a mechanical engineer, but his application to the SAPS Benoni Mechanical School was unsuccessful. Over the years he worked at Hillbrow SAPS in Crime Prevention and Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in the house-breaking and theft unit. He was later transferred to investigate more serious cases such as murders, robberies, bribery, forgery, uttering and fraud. Lebeya went on to establish the Johannesburg North Fraud Section which was based at Sandton police station. In January 2000, he was appointed the Provincial Head of Specialised Investigations in Gauteng Province and by November 2000, he was appointed the Provincial Head of Detective Service in Gauteng on the rank of Assistant Commissioner, the current Major General rank. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ In his academic pursuit, Lebeya completed a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree and by 2006 was admitted as an Advocate of the High Court of South Africa. Lebeya also pursued a Doctorate degree which was conferred in the field of Law, Doctor of Laws (LLD) in 2012 on the topic of 'Understanding Organised Crime'. One of his crowning moments came in June 2018, when he was appointed as the National Head of the DPCI. 'Part of the style of investigation is to conduct major investigations. In Project-Driven Investigations, we initiated 113 complex projects and successfully concluded 67 which is 75% while others are still pending and others unsuccessful. A total number of 566 arrests were effected,' he said . Lebeya said he worked on enhancing technological systems and believed that the Digital Forensic Unit is growing with public private partnerships. 'We have established the Forensic Accounting Investigation which has also partnered with business to ensure transferal of skills. Our coordination of work has been enhanced with the operationalisation of the National Priority Crime Investigations and its sub-committees,' Lebeya said.
IOL News
23-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Cape Town grapples with illegal firearms: Only 5% of cases lead to convictions
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis unpacked the City's case-tracking data at a briefing in Hanover Park on 22 May together with Alderman JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security. Image: Supplied Cape Town municipal officers have confiscated 1,670 illegal firearms between 2021 and January 2025; however, only 81 of these cases have resulted in convictions, raising concerns about what the City describes as a failing criminal justice system. Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis revealed the figures during a safety briefing in Hanover Park on Thursday, stating that while City policing operations are successfully removing hundreds of illegal guns from the streets every year, the vast majority of these cases collapse before trial. 'Our investments to grow policing operations are now resulting in over 400 illegal firearms confiscated annually,' Hill-Lewis said. 'These efforts should lead to the removal of hundreds of violent criminals from society each year, but a broken criminal justice system has so far secured convictions in just 5% of the 1,670 cases.' City data shows that nearly 50% of cases were rejected by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) due to insufficient evidence or poor prospects for prosecution. In many others, delays are caused by outstanding ballistics or DNA reports, and cases waiting for an NPA decision to prosecute. Some suspects have even remained at large for years despite warrants of arrest being issued. The City believes a significant part of the problem stems from the fact that municipal officers are prohibited from investigating or compiling criminal dockets. Hill-Lewis now calls on the National Police Minister to devolve investigative powers to City police officers under the SAPS Act. 'We have the necessary policing resources which are immediately available to help police and prosecutors dramatically raise conviction rates,' he said. 'We stand ready to help gain more convictions for the sake of long-suffering communities where the poorest and most vulnerable are hardest hit by violent crime.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Alderman JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, said the lack of SAPS resources is crippling gun crime cases. 'It is important to note that there are killers still walking free even after being caught as far back as 2021, simply because SAPS lacks the capacity to complete the dockets necessary to go to trial and win,' Smith said. The City has since introduced training for its officers in statement writing and docket preparation and established a Safety and Security Investigations Unit (SSIU) to assist with building stronger cases. Cape Town is also investing heavily in crime-fighting infrastructure, including a R800 million rollout of gunshot detection, bodycams, dashcams, drones and the EPIC digital coordination system, but says none of it will matter if convictions remain this low. 'We're doing our part. SAPS must do theirs,' said Hill-Lewis. 'The devolution of investigative powers is not a political demand; it is a practical solution to a deadly problem.'
IOL News
22-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Cape Town's fight against illegal firearms: A 5% conviction rate raises concerns
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis unpacked the City's case-tracking data at a briefing in Hanover Park on 22 May together with Alderman JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security. Image: Supplied Cape Town municipal officers have confiscated 1,670 illegal firearms between 2021 and January 2025; however, only 81 of these cases have resulted in convictions, raising concerns about what the City describes as a failing criminal justice system. Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis revealed the figures during a safety briefing in Hanover Park on Thursday, stating that while City policing operations are successfully removing hundreds of illegal guns from the streets every year, the vast majority of these cases collapse before trial. 'Our investments to grow policing operations are now resulting in over 400 illegal firearms confiscated annually,' Hill-Lewis said. 'These efforts should lead to the removal of hundreds of violent criminals from society each year, but a broken criminal justice system has so far secured convictions in just 5% of the 1,670 cases.' City data shows that nearly 50% of cases were rejected by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) due to insufficient evidence or poor prospects for prosecution. In many others, delays are caused by outstanding ballistics or DNA reports, and cases waiting for an NPA decision to prosecute. Some suspects have even remained at large for years despite warrants of arrest being issued. The City believes a significant part of the problem stems from the fact that municipal officers are prohibited from investigating or compiling criminal dockets. Hill-Lewis now calls on the National Police Minister to devolve investigative powers to City police officers under the SAPS Act. 'We have the necessary policing resources which are immediately available to help police and prosecutors dramatically raise conviction rates,' he said. 'We stand ready to help gain more convictions for the sake of long-suffering communities where the poorest and most vulnerable are hardest hit by violent crime.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Alderman JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, said the lack of SAPS resources is crippling gun crime cases. 'It is important to note that there are killers still walking free even after being caught as far back as 2021, simply because SAPS lacks the capacity to complete the dockets necessary to go to trial and win,' Smith said. The City has since introduced training for its officers in statement writing and docket preparation and established a Safety and Security Investigations Unit (SSIU) to assist with building stronger cases. Cape Town is also investing heavily in crime-fighting infrastructure, including a R800 million rollout of gunshot detection, bodycams, dashcams, drones and the EPIC digital coordination system, but says none of it will matter if convictions remain this low. 'We're doing our part. SAPS must do theirs,' said Hill-Lewis. 'The devolution of investigative powers is not a political demand; it is a practical solution to a deadly problem.' IOL News Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
IOL News
04-05-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Call for urgent reforms as South African police struggle with overwhelming workload and mental health issues
Experts call for urgent reforms to support police officers' well-being and effectiveness. Pictured are SAPS trainees on parade. Image: PHILL MAGAKOE South African Police officers are under pressure with one cop having to cater to nearly half a million population, and the workload resulting in mental health issues, according to experts. National Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said South Africa has more than 180 000 police officers. However, according to the latest South African Police Service (SAPS) annual report, more than 30 000 of these are administrative support employed under the Public Service Act, which leaves the SAPS with just above 150 000 trained police officers who are responsible for crime fighting and employed under the SAPS Act. The numbers show that each officer has to look after more than 400 000 people. Lesiba Thobakgale, Spokesperson for the South African Policing Union (SAPU), said police are overworked as the SAPS is underresourced both on the physical and human capital front, versus the population of South Africa. He added that the ratio is above the recommended ratio determined by the United Nations of 1=220. 'There is more that needs to be done to protect police officers, as we still see police station attacks and police killings. The SAPS issued guidelines in terms of police safety, which are insufficient. 'Police are underpaid, and the risk they are exposed to is high. However, we appreciate improvements on conditions of service like service allowances, which need to be improved further,' Thobakgale said. He said there is a need to improve on the technological front as the world of work keeps evolving, and on equipment that can be used to fight and investigate crime. He expressed support for the introduction of body cams, which will assist with police killings as well as identify perpetrators. Thobakgale added that the Employee Health and Wellness component should be equipped with necessary professionals who can debrief members after a traumatic event, because mental health is critical given the job's stressful nature. Dr Johan Burger, an independent crime and policing consultant says that the SAPS is constrained by various factors and conditions including population growth which outstripps the growth in police numbers. Image: Supplied Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Dr Johan Burger, an Independent crime and policing consultant, said the SAPS is under constant pressure to reduce and prevent crime, but are constrained by various factors and conditions such as population growth, which is outstripping the growth in police numbers. 'For example, police numbers dropped by almost 10% from 154 748 in 2010/11 to 139 901 in 2020/21, whereas the population increased by 10 million, from 50 to 60 million. The implications of the decline in police numbers are shown in the police-population ratio which dropped from 1:323 to 1:430 by 2020/21. By 2023/24, police numbers increased to 150 388 while the population increased to more than 62 million. That leaves us with a police-public ratio of 1:412 which is still far from the 1:323 we had in 2010,' Burger said. He added that while the police numbers are declining compared to population growth, the police are expected to win the fight against crime, but this in fact, becomes impossible. "We only have to look at our murder rate, which has been on the increase since 2012, after 18 years of consistent decrease. There was one exception in the upward trend with a drop in 2020 from 35.5 to 33.1 per 100 000, due to the so-called Covid-dip. This tendency is evident in most violent crimes,' he said. The apparent decline in police performance and the ostensible failure to turn the organisation around is an important contributing factor, but certainly not the only reason South Africa appears to be fighting a losing battle against crime, Burger explained. He said that the aggravated robbery, which comprises seven sub-categories inclusive of cash-in-transit robberies, house and business robberies and car hijackings, have increased by 49% over the same period. It is difficult to provide reasons for the various failures of the police but it is important to understand that these failures are not the only reasons why crime in South Africa has reached critical levels. There is, for example, very little that the police can do about the many socio-economic conditions that are regarded as causal factors or drivers of crime, Burger said. Socio-economic conditions include factors such as unemployment and rising levels of poverty, frustration caused by these conditions and subsequent social conditions, drug and alcohol abuse, low levels of tolerance due to the resulting frustration, etc. 'The most frustrating thing in this whole scenario is that while the police, along with a number of other government departments agreed that the fight against crime is a shared responsibility and not just that of the police, adopted a national integrated crime and violence prevention strategy (ICVPS) in 2022, but very little appears to be happening. 'There needs to be a visible joint effort by the relevant government departments about what they are doing jointly and separately towards the implementation of the ICVPS, but there is very little, if anything, reported in this regard. So we simply don't know whether this joint strategy is working or not and therefore we should be looking at the performance of more than only the police in determining reasons for our inability to bring crime under control,' Burger said. He said the president, Cyril Ramaphosa or one of the ministers in the Cabinet should at least once a year update the public about the progress or successes of the ICVPS. He added that it is difficult to assess the workload of the police as their workload is varied and multi-faceted. 'If we look at the detectives, it is obvious that they are overwhelmed, struggling with staffing shortages and rising caseloads. This causes a ripple effect as detectives find it increasingly difficult to conduct thorough investigations, leading to a decline in detection and an increase in dockets being closed and filed due to a lack of evidence,' he said. In August 2024, in a written reply to Parliament, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu suggested as a possible reason for the detectives' poor investigative performance, their current workforce of about 22 400, excluding the Hawks, is nearly 8 600 or 28% below the fixed establishment of 31 000 detectives. Keep in mind that over the last 12 years, murder increased by 51% and aggravated robbery by 49%. And every increase means more case dockets, he said. 'Police officials are our main line of defence, but they also face a daily threat to their lives. Last year alone, 111 police officers were killed, approximately 40% on duty and the rest off duty. Of course, this will have a negative impact on their morale and their ability to perform their duties. Studies have also shown that police officials are often reluctant to report for and attend programmes aimed at dealing with cases of stress and trauma. This is probably linked to the police specific culture and related conditions,' Burger said. Tholinhlanhla Dlamini-Ngcoya, a councelling psychologist emphasises the need for law enforcement officers to seek mental health. Image: Supplied Tholinhlanhla Dlamini-Ngcoya, a counselling psychologist who has worked with various law enforcement agencies, including the SANDF, said the most prevalent mental health diagnoses are major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and generalised anxiety. 'There is no way you could be in law enforcement without experiencing mental health issues. Whether it affects you directly or indirectly, because, as you leave your house, you don't know if you're coming back or not, and that causes anxiety. Even a call to attend to a crime scene is anxiety-provoking, because it's between you and the criminals. 'With depression, there is a lack of resources. So, officers are under a lot of pressure and a lot of stress because they are probably finding it difficult to do their work,' Dlamini-Ngcoya said. She said long, irregular hours and shift work lead to burnout, fatigue, lack of sleep (insomnia) and eating disorders, which all add to stress. This is because officers are not resting, and there is not enough time to exercise and their appetites are affected. It's either one is gaining weight without trying or losing weight without trying. 'Burnout also affects your temper even at home, and people who suffer from burnout tend to be short-tempered and snap. That's when people would start being abusive. and it's just because you have not rested. 'About PTSD, when you're attending to a crime, you are exposed to a traumatic event and you miss the bullet again and again. So that trauma comes back and it affects you. Then you become depressed. If your depression is not attended to, it can lead to suicidal thoughts. Some, when they are suicidal, don't want to die and leave their families behind. So sometimes that's when you'll find that a partner will kill their partner and kids,' Dlamini-Ngcoya said. She added that sometimes 'it's out of, I love them so much that I can't leave them behind. Sometimes it's because they have blacked out and didn't realise they were actually doing it at the spur of the moment — and at that moment, it just happens.' She said this is part of mental health because one is not thinking straight. Their mind is going to the worst-case scenario, which is — I might as well die. I might as well kill. The brain is not working to its full capacity. There is still a lot of stigma in general when it comes to mental health issues, she said. 'The fact that you are an officer doesn't mean you are not a human being who's been socialised to think that seeking mental health assistance is being weak and all of those things. The notion of by virtue of being an officer, means you are strong, you are resilient to pain and other things. When you then seek help, you come across as weak, and so officers are scared.' She said some would come to a psychologist, but be mindful of what they share, because if you are found to be mentally unwell, you become unfit to carry a firearm. 'There is a protected disclosure when you speak to a psychologist, however, a breach is compulsory if you are a danger to society or yourself. So, out of fear of losing a job, fear of being demoted, fear of being misunderstood at work, then people don't come to psychologists,' she said. Seeking mental health assistance amongst officers needs to be normalised. It should be compulsory. It needs to come from the top. It should be rewarded as a good thing that an officer is taking care of his or her mental health. There should be a specified period to examine if one is not being affected mentally. To do the work that they do is really mentally draining, Dlamini-Ngcoya said. Mathe said the Project 10 000 is in place where the SAPS recruits and trains 10 000 officers each financial year. 'Every year, budget allocation to ensure more and better resources is set aside. We have the police safety strategy in place that looks at the safety of members on and off duty. We look at ensuring adequate training and that members are in possession of adequate and working equipment and resources, and they have protective gear, etc. 'We have an Employee Health and Wellness unit consisting of psychologists, social workers and chaplains, their services are available 24/7 and 365 days a week. Members go for a debriefing session within 72 hours of attending traumatic scenes. The management leads SAPS wellness days and promotes and encourages members to attend counselling and debriefing sessions,' Mathe said. She added that the SAPS is constantly resourcing all service points with a priority on the grassroots level of policing at stations, and they have an ethical strategy which demands that SAPS employees act with integrity and respect for people's diversity and the law, thereby enhancing service excellence to the approval of the public.
