By Own Correspondent- South Africa’s police service in partnership with a non-governmental organisation Gift of the Givers, on Tuesday presented four sniffer dogs to assist in identifying and retrieving dead bodies in Chimanimani and Chipinge folowing the ravaging effects of Tropical Cyclone Idai.

Addressing the media Tuesday, Local government minister July Moyo confirmed that government had no capacity to locate the buried dead bodies since they did not have sniffer dogs.

He however said government had made an appeal to neighbouring South Africa for the sniffer dogs and President Cycril Ramaphosa’s administration was sending two teams to assist .

“We do not have those type of dogs to assist in sniffing the dead bodies… but South Africa is bringing teams including these sniffer dogs,” said Moyo.

The 4 sniffer dogs were presented to the country’s ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mphakama Mbete.

Speaking to journalists in Harare on Tuesday, Ambassador Mbete said:

“In the aftermath of Cyclone Idai, members of the South African government and Gift of the Givers have come here largely at the request of the government of Zimbabwe.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs contacted me and indicated that what they needed currently were sniffer dogs and South Africa has sent a team of people to assist in this regard.”