BLUE Security has harnessed the power of social media to raise funds for the SAPS K9 Unit to ensure that hard working dogs like Chaka don’t end up missing in action in future.
Blue Security managing director Henk Van Bemmelen said the company, through its Blue Angels Charitable Trust non-profit organisation, promised to donate R1 to the SAPS K9 Unit for every “like” it receives on its Facebook page, which has been dedicated to the memory of Chaka.
Funds raised during the campaign, as well as any additional donations collected for the unit, will be used to pay for micro-chipped tracker collars for the SAPS K9 Unit to ensure dogs are not lost in future.
“We work closely with the SAPS and neighbourhood watches in the fight against crime and have felt the sad loss of Chaka ripple through our local community.
The Shongweni K9 Unit has achieved amazing results by the way of arrests of dangerous criminals including armed robbers and murderers in recent years so it is only fitting that we should reach out to help our community’s protectors during their time of loss and need,” he said.
Chaka went missing for 11 days after he lost contact with his handler Constable Elliot Mdadane, while chasing four business housebreakers near Mariannhill.
Mdadane had released Chaka to chase one of the housebreakers when they split up during the police chase. His body was found in bushes on Saturday after a search involving a helicopter, a horse patrol unit, tracker dogs and remote controlled drones.
“We encourage our clients and friends to take the time to remember Chaka and the dedication of the rest of his human and canine team, by liking our page and helping the rest of the SAPS K9 Unit dogs to get their micro-chipped collars,” he said.
The Facebook campaign will run until 30 November with a cap of R50 000 on the final sum. Any extra donations the public would like to make can be made into the Blue Angels bank account using the reference “Chaka”, account name: Blue Angels Charitable Trust, bank: Investec Bank, branch code: 580 105, account number: 50006466461.
