Central SA
Bloemspruit constable to apply for bail after fatal police station shooting─── ZENANDE MPAME 09:21 Thu, 13 Nov 2025
A police constable will appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Thursday (13/11) for a bail application after he allegedly shot a colleague at the Bloemspruit police station.
The constable briefly appeared in the same court on Monday, following Saturday’s incident. 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, who was fiddling with his service pistol, said Ipid spokesperson Phaladi 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 police officers were allegedly fiddling with a firearm when a shot went off and hit a female police officer in the head,” said Shuping. “The incident was reported to Ipid, and the accused constable was arrested for allegations of murder.”
Meanwhile, it was revealed in a study by the SA Society of Psychiatrists that 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.
National police commissioner Gen. Fannie Masemola said the organisation continued to prioritise the mental health and well-being of its members. Its in-house employee health and wellness is available 24/7, 365 days a year to all police officers as well as for their family members.
He encouraged all police members to prioritise their health and mental well-being. “They must also undergo health screenings and check-ups regularly, as well as attend debriefing sessions.
“This is vital for early detection of potential health issues, allowing for timely intervention and avoiding complications by managing conditions more effectively, resulting in better overall health and well-being.”
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