A bond forged in rubble

Update

GEORGE NEWS - In the aftermath of the tragic building collapse on Victoria Street in George last May, amid the rubble, dust and desperate cries for survivors, one of the quiet heroes on the ground had four legs, a powerful nose, and boundless energy.

His name is Bond - a Belgian Malinois named after the iconic spy James Bond - and his mission was just as urgent.

Bond and his handler, Sergeant Buyisile Makhosonke of the Lusikisiki Police K9 Search and Rescue Unit in the Eastern Cape, had arrived in George on Tuesday 7 May 2024.

By the early hours of the next morning, the pair were navigating the dangerous wreckage, working tirelessly in the hope of locating survivors.

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At just under two years old at the time, Bond's tenacity and drive stunned even the seasoned rescuers. "When Bond picks up a scent, he goes down to that point and scratches or puts his nose down," said Makhosonke, who simply calls him 'my partner'.

One of the lives touched by Bond's determined scratching was Gabriel Guambe's, a tiler who had miraculously survived 118 hours trapped under rubble. It was Bond's persistent signals that helped the rescuers know where to dig.

After the George operation, Bond and Makhosonke received a hero's welcome at their home district of OR Tambo.

"We never had time to rest - the service delivery needs of our community come first," he said. "But we don't worry about rest. Bond loves the work. He feels me - he is not a lazy boy at all. He wants to work anytime." And that's exactly what they did.

Their most recent missions include finding two 12-year-old boys who drowned on Sunday 23 February. The boys had disappeared underwater while swimming in the Mthatha Dam.

Despite swift action by the Mthatha K9 Unit, the search was hampered by poor visibility. The following Monday, the Lusikisiki SAPS K9 Search and Rescue Unit took over.

With the help of a colleague and his dog, Makhosonke and Bond helped recover the boys' bodies from the deep, murky waters.

OR Tambo's district commissioner, Major General Norman Modishana, praised their courage and compassion. "When duty calls, police officers must rise to the occasion, no matter the circumstances. The commitment displayed by these members reflects the very essence of our duty to serve and protect."

Makhosonke and Bond's partnership began in August 2023, when training started. In the world of search and rescue, trust and connection between handler and dog are paramount.

"We only have one handler per dog. This clever boy is mine," he proudly said. "Even though he's still young, our bond is excellent. He's very clever and very busy."

Bond continues to train daily when not on call. "Practice makes perfect," Makhosonke said.

And perfect is what communities need in times of disaster.

Bond and Makhosonke have a very special relationship.

Since the George tragedy, Makhosonke and Bond have been involved in saving many lives back home in the Eastern Cape. They remain on call, responding wherever needed, always with the same urgency and dedication.

"We always appeal to our community to quickly report to the police once they suspect someone is missing, so we can respond quickly and save lives."

Bond will be turning three in June, still full of energy and with a growing list of accomplishments. He, along with his furry colleagues, Chaos, Abby and Echo, who also worked in Victoria Street, are indispensable assets in the SAPS K9 Unit.