2022: SAP/SAPS DOG UNIT: NEW WALL OF REMEMBERANCE: KLOOF: KZN

Adrian Ash & Deon van Niekerk

On the occasion of the 60th Anniversary of the Durban Dog Unit, a Wall of Remembrance was unveiled in Kloof, just outside Durban, to honour the police dogs who died in the line of duty. The original SAP Dog Memorial, formerly located at the Cato Manor SPCA, no longer existed—following the demolition of the Cato Manor SPCA and the relocation of the SPCA to Kloof. The statues of the dogs, along with several urns containing the ashes of fallen canine heroes, were respectfully transferred from Cato Manor to the new memorial site in Kloof.

The Old Wall at Cato Manor:

The then Commissioner, Genl Gideon Joubert, taking the salute at the unveiling of the old SAP Dog Memorial.

Over 150 urns were secured at the old SPCA site before they were lost to demolition of the above site.

Many months were spent exhuming the urns ashes and carefully transferring the ashes to brand new urns.

The New:

The new wall houses nearly 200 urns

27 August 2022: Independent on Saturday

1^st Durban K9 Handler: Laurie Kaplan [Rex A68] with Class of 1962 wreath

Comments by Brig Hennie Heymans

As a young schoolboy in Durban during the turn of 1962 to 1963, my friend and I went to the midnight show on Old Year’s Eve–New Year’s morning. The cinema was packed when a local gang known as the Ducktails tried to gate-crash the screening. SAP Durban Central officers rushed to the scene, but the Ducktails overwhelmed them, swarmed the police van, and managed rock the van. Faced with the chaos, the police summoned the newly formed Dog Squad. After a few well-placed bites, order was swiftly restored.

Years later, during my own career with the Durban police force, I frequently called on the Dog Squad—and with great success. Their intervention helped us secure numerous arrests for housebreaking and robbery.

In those early days, very few units had pioneered dog-handler support in Durban. Below is a 1964 photograph of my colleagues from that era:

As a schoolboy, my hero was Manie Odendaal and his dog, Prince. Years later, as a constable, I marched in a 1965 parade in Durban where Manie’s brave companion was awarded a medal by the Commissioner. I remain proud to have been part of that momentous occasion:

I (HBH) am standing just left of the officer. It was an honour to work alongside the Dog Handlers in those days. We pay homage to the brave police dogs who made the ultimate sacrifice—dying in the line of duty and serving valiantly unto their end. Salute – May they rest in Peace!