In a series of alarming revelations, it has been disclosed that the South African Police Service (SAPS) has faced a troubling rise in suicides among its members in recent years. The most recent data, presented by the Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, reveals a sharp increase in both suicide attempts and deaths over the past three financial years.
In the 2022/2023 period, two SAPS members attempted suicide, and 45 died by suicide. The figures for 2023/2024 were higher, with four attempts and 62 deaths, and for the 2024/2025 period, the number of deaths fell slightly to 54, while suicide attempts increased to six. In the current financial year, there has been one suicide attempt and three confirmed deaths.
These figures highlight a concerning trend, compounded by the ongoing mental health challenges facing SAPS personnel, including burnout and trauma. SAPS’ Employee Health and Wellness (EHW) services are tasked with addressing these issues, but concerns about their effectiveness and resources persist.
In response to these rising numbers, the department has outlined the support provided to members who attempt suicide, which includes hospital admissions, rehabilitation, long-term counselling, trauma debriefing, and work reintegration programs. Additionally, there is a mental health awareness program aimed at empowering members to recognise symptoms and seek support before issues escalate. Family members are also provided with ongoing care, including death notices in cases of suicide.
Despite these interventions, concerns about the adequacy of the EHW programme have led to a national audit and a workshop aimed at improving resources and strategies for mental health support. The results of these initiatives are yet to be fully realised, but a workplace study is currently underway to assess the EHW capacity at both provincial and national levels. This study will help ensure the EHW component is sufficiently funded and staffed to meet the growing demand for its services.
The EHW programme’s staffing remains a critical area of concern. The SAPS has set an ideal staffing ratio of one mental health professional per 500 officers, with chaplains assigned at a ratio of one per 1,000 officers. However, current staffing levels fall short of these targets, particularly in provinces like Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, which report significant gaps in social workers, psychologists, and chaplains. Nationally, the gap in ideal staffing stands at 230 personnel, exacerbating the strain on an already overburdened programme.
Efforts to address these shortcomings include a number of proactive wellness initiatives. These include the “Choose Life” program, which encourages officers to seek help after traumatic events, and the “Multiple-Stressor Program” aimed at officers working in high-risk units. Additionally, the “Trauma Management Program” addresses the symptoms of ongoing trauma, while “Emotional and Psychological Readiness Sessions” prepare officers for potentially stressful events, such as protests and riots.
Despite these initiatives, the EHW programme continues to face significant challenges in fulfilling its mandate. The department has acknowledged the gaps in resources and staffing, promising that the findings from the recent workshop will be used to address these issues.
While the SAPS Employee Health and Wellness services have made strides in providing necessary mental health support, the service’s ability to prevent suicides and address the mental health crisis among its members depends on urgent and comprehensive improvements in resources, staffing, and the overall management of the programme. The continued rise in suicides among SAPS personnel indicates that more robust and timely interventions are needed to stem the tide of mental health struggles within the force.
