By Jonk wa Mashamba
Editor-In-Chief
news@alexreporter.co.za
Family, friends and colleagues of Sergeant Busisiwe Mjwara have spoken out about her deep passion for her work as a police diver, who went the extra mile to bring closure to communities.
The South African Police Service family on Friday, 22 April 2022 paid their final respects to the 42- year- old member who was part of the K9 Search and Rescue unit, conducting operations in the flood-hit- province of KwaZulu-Natal.
Mjwara was one of two female divers from the Hilton K9 Search and Rescue unit. She was described by her colleagues as courageous and fearless.
Her line of work is said to have also inspired scores of youths to take an interest in the Search and Rescue unit of the SAPS, that is often male dominated.
The official funeral service held at the Pietermaritzburg City Hall, was attended by National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola, the Premier of the Province Sihle Zikalala, MEC for Community Safety and Liaison Peggy Nkonyeni and various government representatives, including senior management from the SAPS, SANDF, KZN Provincial Government as well as colleagues of the late member.
Delivering the eulogy at the funeral service, Police Minister General Bheki told mourners that while the service was poorer without Mjwara, her contribution to the service should be celebrated.
“Police divers are specialised unit of the SAPS that bring much needed closure to families who have lost their loved ones to drowning. This member was doing exactly that, when she met her untimely death and we will forever be indebted.
“The loss of this member came at a time when operations to find bodies of those who are still unaccounted for following the devastating floods continue. So certainly, this loss has dealt us a blow.
“We have lost a brilliant and dedicated member, who was an asset not only for the SAPS, but an asset to the nation,” Cele said.
Mjwara is survived by her husband and two young children, Sinazo and Aphelele.
