New members of the K-9 Unit in eThekwini Municipality are put through their paces.
Image: Supplied.
ETHEKWINI Municipality has expanded its Metro Police K9 Unit with the addition of 13 newly trained handlers, as the city intensifies efforts to combat crime and improve public safety.
The handlers were introduced during a passing-out parade near Moses Mabhida Stadium yesterday, where they demonstrated their ability to detect drugs, track suspects and assist in tackling illegal activities.
The recruits completed four months of intensive training. Their inclusion brings the total number of K9 Unit personnel to 20, strengthening the Metro Police’s operational capacity.
EThekwini Deputy Mayor and chairperson of the Community Safety and Security Committee, Zandile Myeni, said the unit plays a critical role in modern policing.
“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.
Myeni described the unit as a “force multiplier”, capable of assisting in the detection of drugs, explosives and illegal firearms, as well as tracking suspects.
Thirteen newly trained K9 handlers have joined the Durban Metro Police K9 Unit.
Image: Supplied.
Metro Police Commissioner Sibonelo Mchunu urged the newly qualified officers to uphold integrity and accountability, noting that their responsibilities carry both authority and public trust.
Head of College Geraldine Stevens also welcomed the graduates, encouraging them to serve with discipline, courage and professionalism.
The newly qualified handlers are expected to begin operations immediately.
The South African Police Service has acknowledged that there is a national shortage of trained police dogs, telling the Independent on Saturday it is seeking public donations to boost its K9 units. Against that backdrop, Durban’s newly deployed handlers add to efforts to strengthen specialised crime-fighting capacity.
The municipality said the expanded unit forms part of its broader strategy to strengthen safety and security as it works towards its 2030 vision of becoming Africa’s most liveable and caring city.
The K9 Unit uses trained dogs and handlers to support policing operations, particularly in search-and-detection work and suspect apprehension, where their capabilities are often more effective than conventional methods alone.