The accused is expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court soon, following Saturday’s (8/11) incident. “We are waiting for the Free State office to give the date of the appearance,” said Ipid spokesperson Phaladi Shuping.

That afternoon, Bloemspruit visible policing members were on parade at the station reporting for duty. As they were about to disperse, the deceased was seen with the accused constable, who was fiddling with his service pistol, said Shuping.

Their colleagues allegedly heard a gunshot and saw the deceased falling while bleeding from his head. The deceased was declared dead on the scene by paramedics.

“The incident was reported to Ipid, and the accused constable was arrested (on) allegations of murder." 

In August, Ipid was called to investigate an attempted murder against Welkom police after an alleged shooting and the assault of residents.

Officers allegedly wanted to arrest six suspected illegal miners, said Shuping, but the community allegedly tried to prevent it. 

“The community allegedly tried to attack the police. Officers reportedly fired a shot when a stray bullet allegedly hit someone.”

Meanwhile, a study by the SA Society of Psychiatrists revealed South Africa’s frontline heroes are silently battling a growing mental health crisis. On average, one police officer dies by suicide every week.

The crisis extends far beyond the police force, the study found. Nationwide, paramedics, emergency nurses, doctors, and firefighters are also struggling under the pressures of their jobs.

These first responders face depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and burnout at rates “significantly higher” than the general population. 

Chronic exposure to trauma, long working hours, and limited mental health support within already overburdened public services are the main causes.

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OFM News/Zenande Mpame mvh