Police officers at Sunnyside Police Station in Tshwane are reportedly living in fear after the death of one of their colleagues, Lieutenant-Colonel Masekela, who allegedly died by suicide on Monday, 20 April 2026, at his home in Atteridgeville shortly after returning from work.
According to fellow officers who spoke anonymously, Masekela had endured years of alleged bullying and intimidation from a senior female officer. Colleagues described the workplace atmosphere as toxic, claiming many staff members were frightened of the officer, who was accused of regularly insulting and belittling subordinates.
One officer said Masekela was so fearful of her that he once nearly crashed a vehicle while driving to an operation in Pretoria West after seeing that she was calling him.
The tragedy has reportedly sparked deep shock and grief among officers at the station, many of whom say the issue has gone unresolved for years. Some claim the alleged mistreatment has driven several experienced officers to seek early retirement or request transfers to other stations.
Another officer shared an incident involving a colleague who applied for a transfer after spending time in a mental health institution due to workplace bullying. Although the transfer was approved by a unit commander, the senior officer allegedly confronted staff at the new station and demanded that the officer be returned to Sunnyside.
Masekela’s family has reportedly declined to comment on the incident.
The allegations raise serious concerns about workplace culture, mental health support, and leadership accountability within the police service. Officers are calling for urgent intervention to address bullying, protect staff wellbeing, and restore confidence at the station.
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