February 16, 2005
By Lucky Sindane
THE LONG arm of the law becomes even longer when the police officer is on horseback.
Criminals cannot bolt across the veld, jump over fences or hide in dense bushes thinking they will avoid arrest. The chances are the equestrian unit of the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) is on their trail.
On patrol
"We have the advantage of going where other JMPD officers can't go with their cars or motorbikes," says Steve Havenga, the unit's chief instructor.
There are 10 metro police officers in the unit; they carry out the usual law enforcement duties, just like the other officers in the JMPD, such as crime prevention, writing tickets, issuing summonses, recording accidents, traffic control and by-law enforcement. But their mode of transport is different.
The unit was established in 1988, the first horse law enforcement corps in the province. It is based in Eloff Extension, in the centre of Johannesburg. "The equestrian unit was established to provide quality service to the citizens of Johannesburg," Havenga explains.
Johan van Breda, a metro police officer who has been with the unit since 2001, says it is a unique group. "You must love animals if you want to work here."
Grazing in their paddocks are 15 cross-Friesian horses, all stabled in the Eloff Extension yard. They are obviously well cared for, and look to be in tip-top condition. The large shelter, which can accommodate about 50 horses, has been carefully mucked out. Fresh sunflower bedding has been put down to absorb the horses' urine.
Light shines gently into every stall, where each horse has a water bucket and a mineral-lick, adding mineral supplements to its diet.
The unit initially used thoroughbred horses but they proved to be unsuitable to use on patrol, says Havenga. "Thoroughbred horses are hot-blooded and are used for racing."
Friesian horses were then chosen, as they are better suited to the type of work because of their low body temperature.
To join the unit, officers undergo a basic six-month training course, which includes equestrian skills and looking after the horses. "We teach the officers how to ride a horse, because some of them have never done it before, and we teach them the history of horses," said Havenga.
While a major part of their work is crowd control, the equestrian unit has also caught many criminals - particularly those who smoke dagga in the bushes, thinking no police officers can get to where they are. "Criminals try to run away when they see us," says Havenga.
The horse unit patrols daily in the city's parks. It is also used at large outdoor events, such as sports games and the annual Rand Show.
Formal functions are another duty. For example, the unit accompanied the mayor's motorcade through the streets of Johannesburg as part of the parade leading up to the opening of the city council in January. Horses were also used in the procession at the funeral of Walter Sisulu.
They are about to become an even more important resource for Johannesburg. "The council is looking at increasing the number of our horses to 75 because of the 2010 Soccer World Cup," says Havenga.
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