Horseback heroes help keep Ekurhuleni safe

The EMPD Equestrian Unit performs vital duties to help keep communities safe.

July 1, 2020

Melissa Hart 2 minutes read

The bond between horse and rider needs to be strong in order to be effective while doing their jobs. Const Goodness Bhengu and her horse, Star City, have a wonderful, loving relationship and they trust each other implicitly.

You see the majestic animals in your neighbourhood, at parades and patrolling to keep the streets of Ekurhuleni safe and many are drawn to them.

These are the horses of the EMPD Equestrian Unit who carry their human counterparts with pride.

The 15-member human and 21-member horse unit is nestled in Petit in Benoni and aims to serve the entire Ekurhuleni community.

The main focus of the unit is crime prevention, traffic law enforcement and by-law enforcement.

Additionally, the members are involved in social crime prevention, official events and parades, as well as school visits and interacting with the community.

Horses are taken to career days at schools and the members speak to the children about the dos and don’ts of crime-related issues, as well as explain to them what the unit offers and what their jobs entail.

Headed up by Senior Supt Ronald Botha, the unit is one of hard work and is a family away from home for its members.

“A normal day at the unit starts with the inspection and grooming of the horses, then the deployments for the day are handed out,” said Ronald.

“We conduct strategic horseback patrols in support of all 26 precincts of Ekurhuleni, as well as offer support to 36 police stations in Ekurhuleni.

“The unit works seven days a week, with one of those days reserved for training if possible.”

The training involves fitness and utility training and making sure the horses are ready for deployment.

ALSO READ:

Prichard loves her work at EMPD Equestrian Unit

Katlehong SAPS arrest 15 suspects in weekend operations

“During training, we simulate what we may find outside and condition the horses to these factors,” Ronald said.

The unit focuses a lot on social crime prevention.

“When we do horseback patrols in residential areas, due to our height advantage we can see what is going on in people’s yards.

“This makes for an effective patrol, as if you are in a vehicle you often can’t see what is happening over a wall,” Ronald said.

“The horses also aid in getting the community to interact with EMPD officers as they are more open to talk to our officers and interact with them.”

When you become a member of the unit, one of the first things that happens is a rider and horse are matched.

“You are trained so that you can ride any of the horses, but you are more effective as a police officer if you have a bond with one particular horse.

“The better you know your horse, the better the partnership,” he said.

One of the beauties of the unit is that the members can visit areas which are unsuitable for normal vehicle patrols and more rural areas where normal precinct vehicles don’t patrol.

The EMPD Equestrian Unit is very effective in its job and on average recovers about 100 stolen motor vehicles a year and makes about 60 arrests.

“We are very fortunate to be doing what we love to do – police work and horse riding,” said Ronald.