Police Minister Bheki Cele on Friday attended the funeral of police rescue diver Sergeant Busisiwe Mjwara, who died during a search and rescue mission in the wake of the deadly floods in KwaZulu-Natal, where he hailed her as a hero.

Mjwara, a Sergeant at the Hilton Police Station in Pietermaritzburg, died on Easter Sunday with her K9 dog while searching Msunduzi river for a family that went missing during the floods.

The floods have claimed the lives of 435 people and searches are underway for the more than 60 people who are still missing.

Cele said women in the police force should be celebrated. He urged the media to highlight excellence in the police force.

“There are a few that go the mile extra. She is one of them,” Cele said about Mjwara.

Cele said when the names of the heroes in the South African Police Service (Saps) are called, Busisiwe’s name will be there.

“It is not everybody who is laid to rest with a South African flag. You work to have this flag at your funeral. This flag means that Mjwara belongs to the South African nation, from the President. Heroes are not buried but are celebrated,” he said.

He said the family of Mjwara and the police should celebrate her excellence.

“Young as she is, she died serving the country. Indeed like all families there are members of the Saps who work hard. Everybody who did well during the floods, sing the praises to them,” said Cele.

He condemned those who took the opportunity to loot shops during floods. At least 12 people were arrested for looting.

The funeral was also attended by KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala, KZN Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and former Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize.

Zikalala said as the province grapples with the loss of lives, Mjwara’s death is a reminder that the police are an important part of the communities in saving lives.

Zikalala said Mjwara served the country with distinction and died like a soldier in the army.

He said what the province had experienced had never been seen before and urged communities not to build in dangerous areas.

“The loss of Mjwara should be a lesson of Batho Pele to all those who serve in government departments,” said Zikalala.

The premier said the floods had reminded the government that climate change was real and should be addressed.

Newly appointed Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Fannie Masemola said this was a sad moment and he hailed Mjwara as a hero.

“We not only produce prisoners but we produce services and one of the critical services is also a search and rescue which Mjwara was a part of. When we talk about paying the ultimate price, this is what we are talking about,” he said.

Over three years, SAPS has lost two of its search and rescue divers.

He saluted the men and the women in blue for their work and called on more SAPS members to consider joining the search and rescue programme.