Errol Tustin passes away after 14 year battle
Condolences pour in for former Empangeni Dog Unit's Captain Errol Tustin.
ON 13 July, 2001 Captain Errol Tustin of the Empangeni Dog Unit was shot in the throat, the bullet lodged against his spine, paralysing him instantly.
14 years on, after battling with excruciating pain every day of his life, Tustin has died at the age of 45 in Vryheid.
Condolences and tributes to the fallen policeman poured in on a Facebook page set up to assist Tustin through his financial difficulties stemming from the many operations he required over the years.
A post on the page, called Errol Tustin Prayer Group, notified members of his passing just before 5pm on Wednesday afternoon.
It is believed he fell victim to one of the many complications caused by his injury.
Looking back
On 16 July 2001 the Zululand Observer reported on the shooting that left Tustin paralysed.
Police officers were conducting an operation looking for illegal weapons at a home in the Isithebe Reserve near Mandini.
Tustin was searching a man named Mandlinkosi Nene when the suspect pulled out a 9mm pistol and shot him at point blank range.
Despite the small odds of recovery, Tustin pulled through and even managed to return to work.
A bad fall in 2009 left him with more injuries and in severe pain, and he was medically boarded.
Over the years many organisations and individuals came together to raise funds to assist Tustin, as his medical costs continued to escalate.
A report by The Citizen newspaper on Monday highlighted the lack of assistance from the SAPS.
‘Tustin says despite the SAPS’s exhortations it embraces disability, with “millions of Rands available” for members with disabilities, and tens of thousands of Rands used every month for holding/booking meetings at luxury venues, nothing was done to accommodate him. Despite being required to submit monthly reports, Tustin says the police social services have never assisted him,’ read the report by Amanda Watson.
A memorial will be held for Tustin at the Klipkerk in Vryheid on Wednesday, 2 December, starting at 11am.
Here are just a few of the messages posted on Facebook remembering Errol Tustin:
Visit the page here to add your message
