SAPS Acting Human Resource Manager Lt Gen Nkayishane Mazibuko tried to explain. "We experience an increase in the amount of sick leave taken at the beginning of the winter season, when the members catch colds and flu. Also, the type of duties performed could result in SAPS officials being hospitalised or suffering mental illness caused by the effects of duty in the field."
The Chairperson of the Committee, Ms Annelize van Wyk, said that when the Committee went on oversight visits to SAPS stations around the country, station commanders frequently cite absenteeism as a problem. "These reasons we have just heard for sick leave indicate there is no problem, but when we go on oversight we hear otherwise. The pattern we hear on oversight is that SAPS members submit sick leave after their four days' leave or after a weekend," she said.
The Committee recommended that wellness should not be thought of as an event, but rather as a daily necessity in order to prevent sick leave. "Sick leave is not just a financial cost. It has implications for SAPS's strategic plan as it is clear that when SAPS staff members are sick, there are no SAPS members on the ground," Ms van Wyk added.
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