South Africa:

Mario Brand Photo: Facebook/Narinda Wiid

Beloved police officer found dead with gunshot wound to head

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a beloved police officer who was found dead with a gunshot wound.

South Africa:

Mario Brand Photo: Facebook/Narinda Wiid

The death of a beloved police officer in the Northern Cape has recently left the community reeling with shock.

THE POLICE OFFICER SADLY DIED DUE TO HIS INJURIES

The 49-year-old police captain Mario Brand was found dead with a gunshot wound to his head in Okiep last weekend.

According to police spokesperson Colonel Mashay Gamieldien, the body of Brand was found on Saturday, 26 February 2022 at approximately 19:45 in Okiep.

“The police in Okiep is Investigating an inquest case.”

He said Brand was found with a gunshot wound to the head in his vehicle and was transported to a hospital for medical treatment but sadly died due to his injuries.

‘NO FOUL PLAY IS SUSPECTED, POLICE INVESTIGATION ARE CONTINUING’

“No foul play is suspected, and police investigations are continuing.”

Friends, colleagues and family posted heartfelt messages about Brand:

According to reports, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) said it is also investigating the shooting.

Meanwhile, the Independent Policing Union of South Africa (Ipusa) has called on all SAPS management to intervene and address the situation to help curb the rise of suicides in the service.

CALL ON SAPS MANAGEMENT TO INTERVENE WITH RISE IN SUICIDES IN SERVICE

In a statement, the organization has implied that police suicides are the product of SAPS management’s failure to proactively deal with members mental health problems.

According to Ipusa, the Employee Health and Wellness program (EHW) is battling the fight against police members’ mental health problems.

According to a report by The Witness, President of the organization Bethuel Nkuna said in the statement that professions that help people, like the police, also have their own personal issues which lead to their mental health being affected.

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“Police officers find themselves working long and abnormal working hours not compensated for, and if they receive their compensation, [it comes] very late. Some of them are compensated with day-offs, contrary to the working agreement. These unplanned activities contribute immensely to family relationships breakdown, said Nkuna.

Ipusa has urged all members of the service, their family members, and colleagues to speak out if they are in need of assistance.

POLICE OFFICERS URGED TO GET HELP

She urged police who were struggling to get help.

“Families must also heed this clarion call, should they see that their family members who are police personnel are struggling mental health issues. Colleagues must also assist because usually, they are the first to know if their colleagues have mental health problems,” read the statement.

Ipusa has also called for commanders to support their members in times like this.

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