Officers from the Boksburg North Police Station will return to work on Wednesday after about 100 had called in sick since Friday.

Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) said the officers called in sick citing stress and depression because of alleged victimisation by their station commander.

The officers have also accused the commander of racism.

Popcru’s Matsemela Matsemela said the absent officers will return to duty but that they are unsatisfied with the official response to the allegations so far.

“We are not really quite happy with the response because this problem dates back as far as 2008/2009 and it is only now that they are trying to address it,” said Matsemela.

Gauteng police’s Govindsamy Mariemuthoo said while they are investigating the allegations against the commander, they condemn the stayaway.

“Anyone that stays away or strikes, it is illegal because the South African police force is an essential service and appropriate action will be taken,” said Mariemuthoo.