Growing up in a community where most of our parents are members of the South African Police Service , I have witnessed firsthand how our parents are affected by the hazards of their job, often leading them to substance abuse, depression and further harming themselves or their loved ones. I have had a firsthand experience of how the power that comes with holding a gun has eventually corrupted officers and has dissuaded them from carrying out their initial duty which is to protect and serve civilians.

Remember constable Lucky Mudau who shot and killed his partner, a nurse, Lebo Monene in the parking lot of Tembisa Hospital before turning the gun on himself in February last year? This happened in my community, and there have been many more similar incidents like it.

If it's not videos circulating of officers who use service weapons when off duty, as we've all seen from the Braamfontein shooting recently, then it's suicides or officers killing their loved ones. One such example is that of Rosemary Ndlovu having gone on a murder spree of her loved ones.

My name is Molebogeng Tema, I am a Nguvu Collective Change Leader and I am fighting to ensure that the recruitment process of the SAPS is reviewed to ensure that our police officers are within the correct mental state to carry firearms. I am demanding that the Minister of Police implements psychological evaluations as part of the SAPS recruitment processes.

I believe that being tasked with the responsibility of owning a gun and further being called to serve our country requires one to be in a healthy state of mind, which is what seems to lack not only in the recruitment process for police officers, but even in maintaining the integrity of our police officers as they should be the leading example of behavior when it comes to owning of guns.

PopCru reported last year that SAPS members are 11 more times more likely to die of suicide than the average South African citizen and that they are also 5 times more likely to die like this in comparison to their international counterparts.

In a country ridden with crime, it is possible that this kind of work may become strenuous to one's mental health. Many officers suffer from depression without knowing. Others will rely heavily on the use of substances such as alcohol in order to deal with the trauma that comes with their work. And by the time Employee Wellness is brought in to intervene, it could be found that it is either too late for that employee to receive help or that they have already taken drastic measures that result in the death of their loved ones or themselves. Join me as I urge Minister Senzo Mchunu to review SAPS recruitment processes so that our police officers are within the correct mental state to carry firearms. It is further important that they maintain a healthy mental state to ensure that they can responsibly carry these firearms.

Police are meant to protect and serve us as civilians. If they are a danger to themselves and others, then who should we look to in order to keep us safe? If we come together and rally behind this call we can create a safer society for both police and civilians alike.