A senior police officer at the Sunnyside SAPS in Gauteng took his own life last week, reportedly due to workplace bullying. The Portfolio Committee on Police has expressed deep concern and dismay at the allegations surrounding the suicide, which are linked to the officer’s experiences at the hands of his superiors.
The Lieutenant Colonel, who served as a relief commander in the Tshwane District, had allegedly been subjected to bullying and harassment by the Station Commander, with 77 allegations filed against the commander. Chairperson of the Committee, Ian Cameron, has called on SAPS senior management to prioritize the creation of a healthy and supportive working environment, citing the need for an urgent investigation into the allegations.
Workplace Bullying in SAPS
According to Cameron, it is deeply troubling that no meaningful action appears to have been taken to address the allegations against the Station Commander, despite the clear pattern of abusive behavior. The South African Policing Union (SAPU) in Gauteng has also called for an investigation into the matter, stating that the officer was summoned to the station by a senior commander to bring in his firearm for inspection, during which he was addressed in a demeaning manner.
The union further stated that the officer was ordered to return to work immediately, despite being on leave, and that he told colleagues that he ‘could not take the abuse anymore’. After the meeting with the Station Commander, the officer allegedly gave his work phone to his brother and said he could no longer tolerate the bullying, before taking his own life. The South African government has a responsibility to ensure that all employees, including those in the SAPS, are protected from workplace bullying and harassment.
Allegations of Harassment
The SAPU has alleged long-standing patterns of harassment at the Sunnyside Police Station, with members afraid to report the abuse formally due to fear of further victimization. The union has called for an independent investigation into the allegations, citing the need for firm consequences for management should the allegations be substantiated.
Some of the key issues that need to be addressed include:
- Workplace bullying and harassment
- Lack of support for employees who experience abuse
- Failure to hold management accountable for their actions
The SAPS operates within a command-and-control framework, where respect for rank and seniority is fundamental. However, as Cameron noted, such structures must never be used to justify bullying, and seniority and abusive conduct are mutually exclusive and cannot be allowed to coexist.
For more information on workplace bullying and harassment, visit the Wikipedia page on the topic.</p)
