[WATCH] 'A true hero': Police dog Leah hailed at emotional farewell
As the country marks one month since torrential rains wreaked havoc in parts of KwaZulu-Natal, police rescue personnel have gathered at Virginia Airport, north of Durban, to honour the memory of K9 unit member Leah.
The rescue dog and police diver Busisiwe Mjwara, both hailed as heroes, drowned during a search and rescue mission after the floods struck last month.
A private ceremony took place on Wednesday at the airport, the heart of the province's search and rescue operations.
K9 unit member Leah's remains were brought in by Pinetown Funeral Services in a white hearse in a procession.
Police sirens could be heard ringing in the background as members gathered around her.
READ: 'Inspirational' Busisiswe Mjwara laid to rest in PMB
A single file of police divers and their furry helpers formed a single line next to the casket.
Search and Rescue personnel from across the province and their k9 dogs have gathered to honour and pay their final respects to Leah, who they have called a hero.
Leah and Mwjara drowned while searching for three family members who went missing in the floods in the Msunduzi River in Pietermaritzburg last month.
It's understood that the K9 dog died while trying to assist Mjwara.
Rescuers from across the country have descended on KZN to help rescue and recover those lost in the floods.
Over 430 people have died, while 63 people are still unaccounted for.
Meet all the handlers and their k-9 members here to pay respect to K-9 Leah. @ECR_Newswatch pic.twitter.com/I1PHXRmx6Z
— Nushera Soodyal (@nushera) May 11, 2022
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