SAPS faces R131.5 million sick leave costs amid mental health concerns
MENTAL HEALTH
Responding to parliamentary questions, Mchunu disclosed that 618 SAPS employees were on paid sick leave for a period exceeding six months during the financial year.
Image: SAPS
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has revealed that SAPS spent an estimated R131.5 million on paid sick leave in the 2023/24 financial year.
Responding to parliamentary questions, Mchunu said 618 SAPS employees were on paid sick leave for a period exceeding six months during the financial year.
The issue of excessive sick leave within SAPS is not new.
As far back as 2012, Parliament flagged it during oversight visits, noting a recurring pattern and raising concerns about the well-being of officers.
The matter has since evolved into a broader discussion on the strain policing places on both the body and mind.
Speaking at the National Policing Summit last month, Mchunu announced that the SAPS would soon roll out new support measures for officers, including a 24/7 toll-free hotline for Employee Health and Wellness services, trauma debriefing, and peer support networks.
“Our members are exposed to traumatising situations, and thus require support in respect of mental health,” Mchunu said.
“This is a medium-term measure we will be implementing.”
Currently, SAPS employs only 621 wellness professionals to serve over 187 000 staff members nationwide—a ratio critics say is inadequate to address the urgent needs within the force.
Between 2019 and 2022, the police service recorded a total of 102 suicides among its members, with an additional 38 homicide–suicide cases during the same period.
The trend has shown little sign of abating, with three suicides and one attempted suicide already recorded since April 2025.
In a related development, Parliament was told earlier this year that around 5 300 officers leave the SAPS annually, prompting a recruitment drive that includes hiring more detectives to fill the growing gaps.
While the financial burden of extended sick leave is cause for concern, officials and analysts agree that it reflects deeper systemic issues — including inadequate mental health support, high job stress, and operational trauma — that must be addressed to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of the SAPS.
As the debate continues, all eyes are on whether the planned reforms will provide meaningful relief for police officers on the front lines.
Cape Argus