In a concerning trend highlighted during a recent parliamentary session, the South African Police Service (SAPS) revealed that a staggering 570 out of 618 officers on sick leave for extended periods have applied for medical boarding. This alarming statistic underscores the severe impact of mental health issues within the force, with major depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) emerging as the leading medical reasons for prolonged absenteeism.
Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia provided these figures while responding to Democratic Alliance (DA) Member of Parliament Lisa Schickerling’s inquiries, which sought clarity on the medical justifications for the officers’ extended sick leave and the status of their boarding applications. The report revealed that the SAPS has paid out R131 million for sick leave exceeding six months for these officers, with mental health disorders topping the list of ailments.
The Acting Minister disclosed that out of the 618 officers, 152 cases of major depression were reported, alongside 71 instances of PTSD. Other significant health concerns included cancer (46 cases), various surgeries (36), and neurological disorders (21). The breadth of these health challenges illustrates the escalating mental health crisis faced by law enforcement in South Africa.
The geographical distribution of these cases paints a vivid picture of the challenge. KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng reported the highest numbers, each with 109 officers on extended sick leave. The Eastern Cape followed with 86 cases, while the Western Cape documented 76, and the Free State 39. The Northern Cape reported the lowest numbers, with just 15 officers affected.
Cachalia also detailed that the majority of the applications for medical boarding emanated from various sectors within SAPS: 238 from visible policing, 163 from detective services, 117 from administration, and 40 from crime intelligence, with 12 from protection and security services.
In a related development, it was reported that only 97 officers had been granted medical boarding during the process in January 2025, amidst approximately 200 pending applications. This highlights ongoing concerns about delays within the system, prompting criticism from various quarters about the handling of officers’ health and wellbeing.
To address these overwhelming challenges, Cachalia announced the introduction of robust mechanisms aimed at monitoring the validity of extended sick leave. Stressing the importance of accountability and employee wellness, he outlined mandatory submissions of medical certificates from practitioners registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa, which officers must submit when requesting sick leave. Additionally, supervisors are required to visit employees who are off sick for five days or more to assess their conditions and provide necessary support.
Further emphasising the importance of proper evaluation, Cachalia mentioned that officers nearing the exhaustion of their sick leave are subject to independent functional medical assessments to determine their fitness for duty and eligibility for medical boarding.
In light of these developments, the SAPS is not only seeking to uphold the integrity of its sick leave policies but also to enhance the mental health framework supporting its officers, who are under increasing pressure in their demanding roles.
With the department’s measures currently under review, including National Instruction 9/2019 on absenteeism management and National Instruction 5/2015 on ill health retirement, it is apparent that both the challenges and solutions are being recognised at the highest levels of the SAPS.
Addressing inquiries regarding outstanding investigations involving the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), Cachalia confirmed that 23 recommendations had been made concerning 22 officers, indicating a complex web of accountability that continues to evolve.