The Portfolio Committee on Police has expressed deep concern and dismay at allegations surrounding the suicide of a senior South African Police Service (SAPS) officer, reportedly linked to workplace bullying.
The Lieutenant Colonel who served as a relief commander in the Tshwane District took his own life last week.
Chairperson of the Committee, Ian Cameron, has called on SAPS senior management to prioritise the creation of a healthy and supportive working environment.
“It is deeply troubling that there are reportedly 77 allegations against the Sunnyside Station Commander, yet no meaningful action appears to have been taken to address what seems to be a clear pattern of abusive behaviour,” Cameron said.
The chairman called for an urgent institution of an independent investigation to determine the veracity of the allegations against the Station Commander, with firm consequences for management should these allegations be substantiated.
While acknowledging that SAPS operates within a command-and-control framework, where respect for rank and seniority is fundamental, Cameron emphasised that such structures must never be used to justify bullying. Seniority and abusive conduct are mutually exclusive and cannot be allowed to coexist, he said.
Cameron further noted that allegations of bullying appear to be widespread within SAPS, with numerous officers having approached members of the committee to report ill-treatment by senior officials. He stressed that such a culture is both unacceptable and incompatible with the principles of a democratic society.
The South African Policing Union (SAPU) in Gauteng also called for an investigation into the matter.
In a statement released by SAPU, the officer was on leave when he was allegedly summoned to the station by a senior commander to bring in his firearm for inspection. During which the commander reportedly addressed the Lieutenant Colonel in a demeaning manner and allegedly referred to him as a ‘blank file’.
Despite being on leave, the officer was ordered to return to work immediately.
SAPS claims that after the meeting with the Station Commander, the officer told colleagues that he ‘could not take the abuse anymore’.
The union further stated that when the officer got home, he gave his work phone to his brother and said he could no longer tolerate the bullying.
“He apparently went to the back of his house and shot himself,” the union said.
The union also alleged long-standing patterns of harassment at the Sunnyside Police Station.
“Members at the station have been afraid to report this act formally because they are afraid of further victimisation. The reality of victimisation and bullying that our members are facing at the hands of management is concerning,” SAPU said.
The union said complaints have been filed with the District Commander but this has yielded no results.
SAPU Gauteng is calling on Gauteng Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Elias Mthombeni, to launch an investigation into the circumstances leading up to the officer’s death.
The union demanded:
- A formal investigation into the conduct of the Sunnyside Station Commander.
- Strengthened mental wellness programmes for SAPS members, with SAPU suggesting these services be outsourced to independent professionals.
- Protection for whistleblowers within the service who wish to report workplace abuse without fear of retribution.
If you or anyone you know needs help, reach out to the Suicide Crisis Helpline at 0800 567 567.
IOL
Robin-Lee Francke
iol.co.za
