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Chairperson of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature Community Safety Portfolio Committee, Bandile Masuku, has condemned the violent behaviour of South African Police Service (SAPS) officers seen in a viral video online.

On Monday evening, a video surfaced on social media allegedly depicting members of Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s protection unit – who form part of SAPS – assaulting fellow motorists on the N1 North, in Gauteng.

“We welcome the initiative by SAPS management to further investigate the matter. We also call on the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) to conduct its own investigation and bring to book those found in transgression of the SAPS code of conduct in this regard,” he said.

Masuku condemned the behaviour of the officers and cautioned that such behaviour creates a trust deficit between communities and law enforcement.

“There is no gainsaying that SAPS officers should always maintain the highest standard of integrity and conduct themselves in a professional manner – striving to serve the public with dignity. This is important as a driver of public trust and confidence in the work of SAPS,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

Throughout history, subsequent generations of young people have experienced a myriad of challenges - perhaps partly shaped by the dynamically evolving surroundings they find themselves in.

And now more and more, there is a global increase in awareness of mental health issues among the youth.

“There is increasing awareness of mental health problems among young people, not only in South Africa but globally. It seems that the prevalence of common mental disorders and suicidal behaviours among young people are increasing,” says Professor Jason Bantjes.

Bantjes is the Chief Specialist Scientist within the Mental Health, Alcohol, Substance Use and Tobacco Research Unit at the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC).

The council is a public entity reporting to the Ministry of Health mandated to promote the improvement of the health and quality of life of the population of the republic.

He points out that a recent national student mental health survey found that in the preceding 30-days, 16.3 % of university students reported clinically significant symptoms of depression while 6.6% reported a substance use disorder. 

“In other research we have also shown that these rates have been steadily increasing since 2015, and that the age of onset, that is the age at which mental health problems first appear, seems to be getting lower and lower.”

However, while some struggle with mental health challenges, many of the country’s young people are thriving and doing well, sometimes under difficult circumstances.

“It would be a mistake to perpetuate a crisis narrative that tries to present all young people as vulnerable and in distress. Some young people are struggling with their mental health, but many are not. In the SA national student mental health survey we conducted in 2020, approximately 80% of students reported that they were in good or excellent mental health.”

Bantjes highlighted that many schools and universities are working hard to improve the mental health of young people and creating communities and environments that promote psycho-social development.

While more can be done, “we are constantly learning about new interventions and developing new strategies.”

At the same time, more can be done to improve young people’s access to effective and affordable treatments, especially for serious mental health problems. More can also be done to support teachers and parents who take care of young people with emotional and behavioural problems.

While teachers can help to create environments that are conducive to mental health like reducing incidents of bullying, helping young people to envisage their futures as well as create schools where learners feel like they belong, it is not realistic or fair to expect teachers and lecturers to take on responsibility for the treatment or day-to-day management of young people with mental health problems. 

Meanwhile, stigma around mental health illness continues to remain the elephant in the room.

Speaking at the Mental Health conference earlier this year, the Deputy President Paul Mashatile said that a deficit on society’s understanding of mental health, causes of illness and treatment exists. He told the conference held in April that stigma leads to the stereotyping of those who suffer from mental health illness.

Bantjes said while public awareness campaigns do exist, stigma about mental illness and substance use are barriers to seeking help.

“We can do more to promote and encourage appropriate help seeking, which would include helping people to recognise when they need psychological help for an emotional or substance use problem.

“There are many public awareness campaigns about mental health and many public conversations. But talking is not enough. We need resources to provide accessible, affordable, effective and acceptable services that are focused on the needs and preferences of young people. This is much harder to achieve than just talking about the problem.”

One would also be tempted to assume that the unemployment rate - which stands at 32.9% - also has a bearing on young people’s mental health.

“We know that social and economic problems like poverty and unemployment have a serious deleterious impact on mental health. Reducing poverty and inequality is an important part of both suicide prevention and mental health promotion,” said Bantjes.

Meanwhile, South Africa has a new Mental Health Policy Framework and Strategy for 2023 - 2030. According to the Deputy President, the newly approved strategy encompasses critical mental health promotion interventions which include mental health promotion, prevention of mental health illness, and improvements in mental health service delivery platforms, including information management and governance.

The professor is of the view that the framework is thorough and well thought out but that the “challenge is going to be turning this strategic plan into action.”

Just as the youth of 1976 fought for a better tomorrow, young people today can confidently fight mental health challenges and win. –SAnews.gov.za

 

 

 

 

The National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, has condemned the behaviour of the police officers, who are seen on a video assaulting motorists on the N1 highway in Johannesburg.

“Members of the SAPS [South African Police Service] are meant to uphold and protect the fundamental rights of every person and exercise the powers conferred upon them in a responsible and controlled manner. Such action cannot be condoned, regardless of the circumstance,” said Masemola.

The police have successfully traced the victims and the process to obtain statements from the them continues as part of the probe.

According to the police, the police officers involved have been identified and will be subjected to internal processes.

“Management of the SAPS views this as serious and will get to the bottom of this incident.

“While the internal departmental investigation into the conduct of the members is underway, the SAPS distances itself from the conduct and behaviour depicted in the video. [It] does not align with the values and code of conduct of the SAPS, which outlines the values and principles that all SAPS members are expected to uphold, including integrity, professionalism, accountability and respect for human rights,” the police said in a statement.

The police have opened an investigation after a video of SAPS officers, armed to the teeth, showed them beating up a Gauteng motorist and two others in an incident believed to have arisen from an on-road driving dispute.

The police said they have established that the two black BMW X5s captured in the viral video were indeed owned by the SA Police Service.

After allegedly assaulting the victims, the VIP officers got back into three black BMW SUVs and sped off. – SAnews.gov.za

The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DOJCD) has been fined R5 million by the Information Regulator for failing to comply with an enforcement notice issued in May.

The regulator issued the notice after the department contravened various sections of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) following its failure to renew anti-virus and IT security solutions licenses.

“The Enforcement Notice had required the DOJCD to submit proof to the regulator within 31 days of receipt of the notice that the Trend Anti-Virus licence, the SIEM [security information and event management] licence and the Intrusion Detection System Licence have been renewed.

“It also required the department to institute disciplinary proceedings against the official/s who failed to renew the licences, which is necessary to safeguard the department against security compromises.

“The regulator indicated that should the DOJCD fail to abide by the Enforcement Notice within the stipulated timeframe, it will be guilty of an offence, in terms of which the regulator may impose an administrative fine in the amount not exceeding R10 million, or liable upon conviction to a fine or to imprisonment of the responsible officials,” the regulator said.

According to the independent body, the deadline for submitting proof that the licences had been renewed was 3 June – a deadline the department missed.

“To date, the department has not provided the regulator with a report on the implementation of the actions required in the enforcement notice or any other communication in that regard. The department had the right to appeal the Enforcement Notice in terms of section 97(1) of POPIA, and they have failed to exercise that right.

“Given this lack of compliance with the enforcement notice, the regulator has made a determination that the department has failed to comply with the Enforcement Notice served to it in terms of POPIA. Accordingly, the regulator has issued an administrative fine of R5 million to the department for failure to comply with the enforcement notice.

“The department has 30 days, from 3 July 2023, to pay the administrative fine or make arrangements with the regulator to pay the administrative fine in instalments or elect to be tried in court on a charge of having committed the alleged offence referred in terms of POPIA,” the regulator said. – SAnews.gov.za

The Deputy President has spoken out on Tuesday after a video of his VIP protection officers, allegedly assaulting three civilians on the Gauteng highway, went viral on social media.

“The Deputy President has become aware of an unfortunate incident involving members of the South African Police Service (SAPS), who are attached to his protection detail, and civilians, which occurred in Johannesburg over the weekend,” the Deputy President’s Office said in a brief statement. 

The second-in-command, according to the statement, abhors any unnecessary use of force, particularly against unarmed civilians. 

“Members of the SAPS are meant to uphold and protect the fundamental rights of every person and exercise the powers conferred upon them in a responsible and controlled manner,” said the Deputy President.

According to the Deputy President’s Office, SAPS National Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, has promised a thorough investigation of the incident.

“The Deputy President appeals to the public to allow the SAPS the necessary space to complete its investigation into the incident and take whatever corrective action is deemed necessary. 

"The Deputy President has full confidence in the SAPS, under the leadership of Minister Bheki Cele and the command of General Masemola, to do the right thing in this regard.” 

Meanwhile, the police said they have since successfully traced the victims of this incident. 

“The process to obtain their statements continues as part of the probe,” the SAPS statement read, adding that the police officers involved have also been identified and will be subjected to internal processes. 

“Management of the SAPS views this as serious and will get to the bottom of this incident.” 

The SAPS has since distanced itself from the conduct and behaviour and said it does not align with the values and code of conduct of the SAPS needs to uphold. These include integrity, professionalism, accountability, and respect for human rights.

“Members of the SAPS are meant to uphold and protect the fundamental rights of every person and exercise the powers conferred upon them in a responsible and controlled manner. Such action cannot be condoned regardless of the circumstance,” Masemola explained. – SAnews.gov.za