National Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Fannie Masemola has all reassured that all security checks have been ticked ahead of the Comrades Marathon tomorrow. Masemola says they are working hand in hand with the law enforcement partners in both Pietermaritzburg where the marathon starts and Durban where it finishes.
Weve got air support by means of helicopters and drones so that we are able to police areas that might not be easily visible. Weve got our K9 that will be moving around. Weve got mounted units. Weve got motorbikes that are going to patrol in areas that might not have easy access by vehicles. So, we hope that we can put a good security for the environment to make sure that the marathon is executed without any major security event, says Masemola.
He has also wished the 444 members of the SAPS Marathon Association who will be participating in the Comrades good luck.
2025 Comrades Marathon KZN Police will have all routes covered: Masemola himself started running in the past two years.
Police officers were allowed to train three times a week in the months leading up to Comrades. The fitter police officers are a benefit to the police the force. Just last week, I saw police chasing a protester on foot at the Walter Sisulu University in East London. If this guy had outrun the police, the whole nation and the whole world would have been watching and that would be a problem for us. But luckily, they ended up catching the person although other officers couldnt keep up. So, somehow the Comrades helps the system by strengthening the physicality that is required when officers are at work, he adds.