570 SAPS officers on extended sick leave apply for medical boarding

A total of 570 of the 618 police officers who have been on sick leave for prolonged periods of time have applied for medical boarding.

This happens as major depression and post-traumatic stress disorder topped the medical reasons given by the SAPS as the reasons why more than 600 officers were on sick leave for more than six months during the 2023/24 financial year.

This was revealed by Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia when he was responding to parliamentary questions from DA MP Lisa Schickerling, who asked the medical reasons the officers were on sick leave and the number of officers who applied for medical boarding.

In June, it was reported that 618 officers were paid R131 million in sick leave for a period of more than six months

Cachalia said major depression topped the list of prominent medical reasons with 152 cases, followed by post-traumatic stress disorders with 71, cancer with 46, various surgeries with 36, and stroke or seizure with 30.

He also said 27 officers suffered from bipolar disorder, multiple injuries 27, neurological disorder 21, renal failure 20, various fractures 15, heart problems 14, and other conditions 159.

“A total of 570 of the 618 employees applied for medical boarding.”

The officers were found across all nine provinces, with KwaZulu-Natal leading the pack with 109, followed by Gauteng with 109, Eastern Cape 86, Western Cape 76 and Free State 39.  The Northern Cape has the lowest number at 15.

Cachalia said the number of officers who applied for boarding was in the administration (117), visible policing (238), detective services (163), crime intelligence (40), and protection and security services (12).

In June, Independent Media reported that 97 officers were granted medical boarding during the medical boarding process conducted in January 2025.

Minister Senzo Mchunu said at the time that there were approximately 200 backlogs in applications pending adjudication.

In his response, Cachalia said the SAPS has implemented a range of mechanisms to enhance the monitoring of the medical validity of extensive sick leave that is taken by its members.

The mechanisms included mandatory submission of medical certificates issued by medical practitioners registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa when employees apply for sick leave or temporary incapacity leave.

Employees booked off sick for five days or longer were visited by their commanders or supervisors with a dual purpose of providing support where necessary and validating that employees are, in fact, ill.

“Where it is evident that the employee is about to or has exhausted 30 days of his or her sick leave, such employees are subjected to an independent functional medical evaluation, by a contracted Health Risk Manager, to validate the medical indisposition of such employees and to facilitate the process of work reintegration, or medical boarding, where applicable,” he said when he outlined some of the monitoring mechanisms.

Cachalia said the abovementioned comprehensive measures have been institutionalised to maintain the integrity of the sick leave system, ensure accountability, promote employee wellness, and uphold operational readiness across the SAPS.

He also said the SAPS’ absenteeism management and work integration strategy was reviewable after five years, or when the need arose.

“National Instruction 9/2019: Absenteeism Management and National Instruction 5/2015: Ill Health Retirement are currently under review.”

Asked whether the officers on sick leave have outstanding investigations that were conducted by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), Cachalia said 23 recommendations were made in respect of 22 members.

“The SAPS is not privy to investigations that may still be in progress at the IPID, until such time as the investigations are finalised by IPID and referred to the SAPS, with recommendations that need to be initiated in terms of the SAPS’ Discipline Regulations, 2016,” he added.

mayibongwe.maqhina@inl.co.za