THE National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS) General Fannie Masemola has announced the passing on of two members and a K9 as a result of the Kwa-Zulu Natal floods.
According to Colonel Athlenda Mathe of SAPS, the latest casualty is a female police diver who was attached to the Pietermaritzburg Search and Rescue (SAR) police diving unit.
“At about 11:30 on Sunday morning, 42-year-old Sergeant Busisiswe Mjwara was conducting a search in the Msunduzi river for three victims that had drowned earlier in the week, when she got into difficulty and drowned,” said Mathe.
“The member was airlifted to a nearby hospital but was sadly declared dead on arrival.”
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Mathe said during the same operation, K9 Leah from the Durban Central Search and Rescue (SAR) unit also drowned.
“According to reports, Leah was attempting to assist Sergeant Mjwara when she also experienced difficulties,” said Mathe.
According to Mathe, the third member, 31-year-old Constable Thandazile Sithole who was attached to the Durban Central Police Station, died when her home collapsed on her earlier this week.
Mathe said at least thirty police officers have been affected by the floods with some injured and the majority displaced after their homes were washed away.
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“Members of the Employee Health and Wellness (EHW) unit have since been dispatched to provide psychosocial as well as trauma debriefing counselling services to all affected areas including police stations and units,” said Mathe.
The National Commissioner said the organisation has been dealt a blow with the passing on of its dedicated members.
