DA urges WC police to address severe shortage in K9 unit
DA member for Security and Justice, Nicholas Gotsell, said that dogs in the narcotics unit could also be used to save lives.
Picture: @SAPoliceService/X
CAPE TOWN - The Democratic Alliance (DA) is urging Western Cape police to address what it calls the severe shortage in their K9 unit.
It said that areas like Beaufort West, which were critical locations for anti-poaching and crime control, only had five operational dogs.
The party further claims that Cape Town's K9 unit only has 49 personnel when there are supposed to be 98 members.
DA member for Security and Justice, Nicholas Gotsell, said that dogs in the narcotics unit could also be used to save lives.
"During the DA’s oversight visit to the K9 unit, last week we met Abby, a Belgian Malinois. She became a national hero when she was awarded the police Silver Cross for her life-saving work in George last year, which included detection of the person who was retrieved alive after five days trapped under the rubble."
He added that dogs like Abby were a key component in locating both drugs and people.
"Abby's success is a reminder of what K9 units are capable of, and why it is important that these units must be fully resourced."
EWN has reached out to police for comment but we are yet to receive a reply.