Stressed cop wins compensation fight

The smell of dead bodies, the killings and suicides were simply too much for a Western Cape policeman.

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Pretoria - The smell of dead bodies, the killings and suicides were simply too much for a Western Cape policeman, who is now suffering from chronic post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but has an ongoing battle with the Compensation Commission which is refusing to pay for his treatment and medication.

The former policeman, only identified in papers before the high court in Pretoria as SB Khambule, successfully turned to court to compel the commission to pay for his treatment and medication.

Khambule said he suffered from this condition as a direct result of his duties as a policeman.

He joined the police in December 1979 and was medically boarded in May 2000. He was diagnosed the previous year as suffering from PTSD and for years tried to claim his medical expenses in this regard from the Compensation Commission.

His claim was turned down in 2012 and the reason stated was that he complained that the incident which was the last straw triggering his condition, happened in November 1997. This is when colleagues were shot dead next to him.

He, however, only consulted a doctor six months later. It was said that due to the lenghty timespan, he did not qualify for this benefit.

Khambule told the court that the commissioner did not dispute his PTSD diagnosis and the fact that medical assistance was refused because of the lapse of six months, is not a recognised criteria in South African law.

He said his medical reports, dated up to now, clearly showed that he still suffered from this condition. It was also found that he was permanently unfit for duty due to this condition. A psychologist also submitted a report in which it is said that his condition, coupled with depression, is permanent.

Judge Wendy Hughes found that the PTSD arose from Khambule’s employment of more than 20 years as a policeman and that he thus qualified for compensation. She referred the matter back to the commission, which has to, within 30 days, determine how much Khambule should be compensated for his medical expenses over the years.

According to medical reports, Khambule had developed amnesia, nightmares, anxiety, flashbacks and “bothersome thoughts” following his experiences as a policeman.

He said he had been exposed to high levels of violence and crime and although he was never wounded as a policemen, there were “a few close calls”.

Khambule said he had to dodge bullets while his colleagues were shot next to him and he virtually saw bodies burning, while he could do nothing to stop the carnage.

Khambule was mostly exposed to crime while working in Everton, Gauteng, for 19 years in the so-called red zone district, where he was exposed to riots. He moved to the Western Cape, where he was also on riot duty, which contributed to his high stress levels.

He said some days he could handle his work, but on other days it became too much for him.

Pretoria News