By Levy Masiteng
eThekwini Municipality has deployed 13 newly trained K9 handlers to the Durban Metro Police, raising the unit’s strength to 20, as the city expands specialist support for drug, firearm, and suspect-tracking operations.
The handlers were introduced at a passing-out parade near the Moses Mabhida Stadium after four months of training. The city said the passing out parade marked the start of the team’s operational deployment.
Deputy Mayor and Community Safety and Security Committee chairperson Zandile Myeni said the unit was a force multiplier.
“As crime continues to challenge our communities, including drug trafficking, vehicle hijackings, and violent crime, the deployment of specialised teams such as the K9 Unit is essential in strengthening our response and improving public safety,” she said.
The deployment comes three years after the Sunday Tribune reported that the metro police dog unit had no active, properly trained and certified police dogs, despite having more than 30 members.
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In that 2023 report, metro police spokesperson Colonel Boysie Zungu said training could not proceed until a memorandum of understanding with the South African Police Service (SAPS) had been completed.
The K9 unit has previously been used in successful joint operations against infrastructure crime and narcotics. Metro Police and SAPS said in 2018 the K9 unit helped recover electricity cables worth more than R1.5 million in Clairwood, while in 2023 the K9 unit and drug team were involved in a chase of suspects transporting about 400 blocks of crack cocaine.
Metro Police Commissioner Sibonelo Mchunu told the new K9 handlers to uphold “integrity and accountability” during their duties.
Head of College Geraldine Stevens also welcomed the new members, telling them to serve with “discipline, courage, and professionalism”.
