Independent Media reports that four Durban Metro police officers and a retired officer died from Covid-19 complications in a week.

Durban Metro police spokesperson Senior Superintendent Parbhoo Sewpersadh said all the policemen were long-standing policemen and their deaths were a tragedy. Tributes poured in for Captain Marlon Pillay, 45, who died in hospital after battling Covid-19 for three weeks. At the time of his death, Pillay had been with law enforcement for 21 years and Sewpersadh said he had worked tirelessly in the fight against drugs in the Chatsworth and greater Chatsworth area. His death was followed by Inspector Nicholas Langa from the public transport department, Sergeant Mnguni from the alcohol roadblock centre and Inspector Bhekumuzi Elias Ndlovu, who had been based in Verulam. Retired policeman Superintendent Johan Truter also died in the same week. He had been with metro police for many years and retired two years ago. Sewpersadh said all steps were being taken to encourage policemen to get vaccinated and that 572 out of the 2,772 metro officers had received their Covid-19 vaccinations.

• Read the original of the report in the above regard by Jolene Marriah-Maharaj at Independent Media

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