The air, abuzz with excitement and exuberant energy, greeted Overstrand Executive Mayor Dudley Coetzee and dignitaries on Friday, 18 June 2021 at the official launch of Overstrand Municipality’s recently established K9 Unit.
The Overstrand K9 unit is a specialised division of Law Enforcement Officers who use specially trained service dogs to perform various law enforcement tasks. This launch follows the recent establishment of two K9 units in the province, in the City of Cape Town and Swartland Municipality respectively.
The dignitaries were treated to a demonstration at Grotto Beach, simulating a typical day at work where DAFF, CapeNature, SAPS and Law Enforcement would encounter poachers. It was evident that it is not just about chasing and catching the bad guys, but also presenting sufficient evidence that would lead to successful prosecution.
In attendance were the Overberg District Mayor Sakkie Franken; Members of the Provincial Legislature, Reagen Allen and Mesuli Kama; Head of Department of Community Safety Advocate Yashina Pillay, Acting Chief Director of the Department of Community Safety, David Coetzee, Cluster Commander Donovan Heilbron; various councillors, as well as officials from Overstrand Municipality, CapeNature, local police stations and the Provincial Department of Community Safety.