SAPS
Eastern Cape Premier, Oscar Mabuyane has paid tribute to the East London K9 unit officer, Captain Pierre Marx, who tragically drowned while rescuing people caught in floodwaters in the city last month.
He was speaking at the Batho Pele Service Excellence Awards in East London on Friday.
The 53-year-old member was on Saturday, 08 January 2022 attending to a drowning incident with his co-divers from the East London K9 Search and Rescue unit.
During the rescue mission in the Horse Shoe Valley area, Captain Marx was swept away in a strong current.
His body was recovered the following morning.
Premier Mabuyane said Marx saved the lives of those who were in danger and this was not his first act of selflessness.
"A few years ago, he saved a young boy from drowning in a stormwater drain. He was a model civil servant, one whose conduct and professionalism we should emulate", he said.
Mabuyane also said corruption in provincial departments and municipalities must be dealt with.
"It will take courage for civil servants to rid our administration of acts of corruption. When we talk of a capable, ethical and developmental state, we also talk of a state that has employees who are patriotic, selfless and courageous who go beyond the call of duty", he said.
