Police presence in KZN beefed up for Comrades Marathon
Thousands of athletes from all over the world are expected to participate in the 90-kilometre down run from the province’s capital city Pietermaritzburg to Durban.
South African Police Service (SAPS) officers in formation. Picture: X/SAPoliceService
DURBAN - A number of police officers have been deployed to safeguard the Comrades Marathon race in KwaZulu-Natal this weekend.
Thousands of athletes from all over the world are expected to participate in the 90-kilometre down run from the province’s capital city Pietermaritzburg to Durban.
While 437 police officers will participate in the race, a large number of other police officers have been deployed for safety and security.
Provincial Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi: "We don’t have to paint our province as a bad province. There are many social things which we are dealing with but when you have a marathon of this nature, it’s a good feeling, everyone benefits from it. As law enforcement, we appreciate this weekend, and we already have members on the ground deployed."
Mkhwanazi has also called on communities to maintain law and order during this busy weekend.
"We also encourage communities, especially drivers, because they run and they don’t want to be hurt by vehicles, so the driver must respect the runners and give them space and let them prepare for the marathon."