Suicide of AGU sergeant sparks urgent call for improved mental health support for officers

Clarence Ford interviews Richard Mamabolo, Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) Spokesperson.

Listen below.

Last week, Sergeant Raoul Hugh Murray of the Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) tragically took his own life at his home in Mitchells Plain. 

This heartbreaking event has raised significant concern about the mental health of police officers.

Ian Cameron, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, expressed his condolences on Facebook, emphasising the urgent need to better support the mental health of South African police officers.

He lamented, "It is heartbreaking to experience what feels like an increased amount of suicides, amongst members that fight such a difficult fight for us as they wear the badge."

Unfortunately, many officers grapple with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which impacts not only their professional and personal lives but also affects their families.

Mamabolo notes that the South African Police Service (SAPS) has recognised the need for debriefing, given the violent nature of crime in South Africa.

This realisation led to the initiation of the Employee Health and Wellness Programme.

Despite the availability of these interventions, Mamabolo points out that officers are not fully utilising these services.

Concerns about confidentiality and other factors contribute to this reluctance, he says.

"If you go to a crime scene and you want to get a debriefing, the likelihood of you getting a second service to check as to whether you're making progress or not is very minimal."

- Richard Mamabolo, Popcru Spokesperson 

Mamabolo emphasises that the union's top priority is to improve these services, making them more accessible and reassuring for officers.

He also advocates for increased budget allocation to support these critical resources.

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.