POLICE across the country went on the rampage this weekend, killing themselves, each other and members of the public.
POLICE across the country went on the rampage this weekend, killing themselves, each other and members of the public.
Two policemen, a police clerk, a constable's girlfriend and teenager were murdered in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga.
In Dobsonville, Soweto, an off-duty policeman shot a man he had an argument with before turning the gun on himself on Saturday.
In Tembisa, Ekurhuleni, an off-duty police communications officer was shot and killed during a hijacking on Friday night. His car and gun were stolen.
In Ulundi, norther KwaZulu-Natal, Constable Judia Ntuli, 30, opened fire on a children's function, killing three people including a policewoman and child.
It later emerged that Ntuli's victims were Busani Vilakazi, 13, a boy who allegedly raped his three-year-old daughter, policewoman, Bongi Masemola, who was handling the investigation, and a clerk, Fikile Gumede, who was handling the documents of the case.
Ntuli then went to his home and turned the gun on himself.
Ntuli is in the intensive care unit at Nkonjeni Hospital.
In Mpumalanga a policeman is on the run after shooting one of his girlfriends dead yesterday morning.
The police constable, who is based at the Calcutta police station in Mkhuhlu, was trying to stop a fight between his two girlfriends.
Research has shown that most South African police officers suffer from post-traumatic depression but will not go for professional help because it is perceived as a sign of weakness.
This is according to the South African Depression and Anxiety Group.
Sadag's Cassey Amore said the trauma of being exposed to dangerous situations, problems at home and being overworked are a combination that normally drives police officers to suicide, famicide-suicide and committing murder.
"Because they are stressed and under severe pressure, they can get triggered by one incident and lose their temper. They have easy access to a gun, so for them it's the quickest way to react," she said.
Amore said Sadag responds to many calls from distressed police officers and affected family members on a daily basis. The toll-free helpline number is 0860 742 762.
5 die in police shootings
POLICE across the country went on the rampage this weekend, killing themselves, each other and members of the public.
POLICE across the country went on the rampage this weekend, killing themselves, each other and members of the public.
Two policemen, a police clerk, a constable's girlfriend and teenager were murdered in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga.
In Dobsonville, Soweto, an off-duty policeman shot a man he had an argument with before turning the gun on himself on Saturday.
In Tembisa, Ekurhuleni, an off-duty police communications officer was shot and killed during a hijacking on Friday night. His car and gun were stolen.
In Ulundi, norther KwaZulu-Natal, Constable Judia Ntuli, 30, opened fire on a children's function, killing three people including a policewoman and child.
It later emerged that Ntuli's victims were Busani Vilakazi, 13, a boy who allegedly raped his three-year-old daughter, policewoman, Bongi Masemola, who was handling the investigation, and a clerk, Fikile Gumede, who was handling the documents of the case.
Ntuli then went to his home and turned the gun on himself.
Ntuli is in the intensive care unit at Nkonjeni Hospital.
In Mpumalanga a policeman is on the run after shooting one of his girlfriends dead yesterday morning.
The police constable, who is based at the Calcutta police station in Mkhuhlu, was trying to stop a fight between his two girlfriends.
Research has shown that most South African police officers suffer from post-traumatic depression but will not go for professional help because it is perceived as a sign of weakness.
This is according to the South African Depression and Anxiety Group.
Sadag's Cassey Amore said the trauma of being exposed to dangerous situations, problems at home and being overworked are a combination that normally drives police officers to suicide, famicide-suicide and committing murder.
"Because they are stressed and under severe pressure, they can get triggered by one incident and lose their temper. They have easy access to a gun, so for them it's the quickest way to react," she said.
Amore said Sadag responds to many calls from distressed police officers and affected family members on a daily basis. The toll-free helpline number is 0860 742 762.
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