The mental health of Free State police officers has once again come under scrutiny following last month’s shooting in Hennenman, where a police officer allegedly shot five people, killing three and injuring two, before turning the firearm on himself.
The incident has renewed concerns about the psychological wellbeing of officers and the support systems available to them.
It also comes a year after Bloemfontein Courant reported on figures released by Free State MEC for community safety, roads and transport, Jabu Mbalula, revealing 29 South African Police Service (SAPS) members in the province have died by suicide between 2021 and 2025.
The figures further showed Hennenman featured repeatedly over a three-year period, with at least one police suicide recorded at the Hennenman police station every year between 2021 and 2024.
Responding to the renewed concerns, members of the SAPS Employee Health and Wellness (EHW) unit said a range of integrated support services is available to officers.
However, they acknowledged that the programmes rely largely on voluntary participation, making it difficult to assist members who choose not to seek help.
“We work closely with commanders because they are often the first to notice changes in an officer’s behaviour. That allows us to intervene and offer support where necessary,” said Capt. Sandy Seane.
The EHW team said early intervention remains one of its priorities, but recognising officers at risk is not always straightforward.
“Sometimes we don’t pick up the early warning signs because a person may appear as though everything is fine. The stigma around mental health, particularly among men, often prevents people from asking for help,” said Lt.Col.
Dibokanyo Ramathe. Ramathe added when internal interventions are insufficient, the unit works with external mental health professionals and other stakeholders to ensure officers receive the care they need.
“If we feel the interventions we have implemented are not enough, we refer the member to external service providers for additional support.”
The EHW unit encourages officers experiencing emotional or psychological distress to seek assistance as early as possible, stressing that early intervention can play a vital role in preventing tragedies.
Clement Matroos
[email protected]
