Kroonstad SAPS ranks bolstered with member with a nose for justice

The SAPS in the Free State welcomes a new officer to its ranks. Lady, a two-year-old Belgian Malinois has joined the Kroonstad K9 unit as a fully trained biological fluid detection dog.

Lady steps into the large pawprints left by Bio Dog called Benji, the legendary white and brown border collie with piercing blue eyes who served diligently across the province for ten years. Benji became a household name in the Free State and beyond for his remarkable ability to detect minute traces of biological fluids, such as blood and semen, at crime scenes – often helping investigators secure vital DNA evidence. In some cases, Benji’s findings were the only evidence available, leading to the successful conviction of perpetrators in cases of murder, rape and other serious crimes.

Benji’s work even took him across borders. Alongside his handler, WO Leon Strydom, he was called up nationally to assist the Swaziland Police in a complex murder investigation involving a police officer who had killed a colleague and hidden the body. Thanks to Benji’s skill, justice prevailed once again.

Benji had been a gift to Strydom from his daughters – an eight-week-old puppy who grew into one of the SAPS’s most trusted four-legged investigators. In October 2023, Benji was diagnosed with glandular cancer and passed away, leaving a deep void in his handler’s heart and among colleagues across the province.

“He was my colleague, my friend, my child,” Strydom said.

“He helped remove dangerous criminals from our communities and made a real difference, especially in cases involving children.”

Determined to continue Benji’s legacy, Strydom began the search for a worthy successor in October 2024. With generous support from the Kroonstad community, who deeply respect and support their local K9 members, Strydom found Lady. Donated to the SAPS to be trained as a bio dog, Lady completed her training in June 2025 and officially passed out as a fully qualified biological fluid detection dog.

Now, with Lady by his side, Strydom is ready to continue the fight against serious crime. Together, they aim to uphold the legacy of excellence set by Benji and ensure that justice continues to be served, one scent trail at a time.