Umhlali K9 cop Clinton Odayar, won the 2019 Integrity Icon award last night (Thursday, October 10) in Johannesburg.

The Integrity Icon campaign celebrates public servants who work with honesty and do the right thing, even when no one is watching.

A member of the public nominated Odayar for consideration and a panel of judges selected the five Integrity Icons – all of who are public servants working in the areas of health, education and safety.

Odayar thanked everyone who voted for him and those who have been supporting him throughout the campaign.

“I feel honoured and motivated to have achieved such an award at a national level.

“Being named and recognised as an Integrity Icon within the republic of South Africa has inspired me to achieve much more in my career.

“I am grateful to be part of this community that has supported me with great faith.

“It’s a pleasure serving KwaZulu-Natal.”

Together with his canine companion, Dante, Odayar has been instrumental in finding many people who have gone missing locally and further afield.

He also does safety awareness talks at schools and hosts anti-drug and anti-bullying workshops.

He is not the first local cop to be recognised for his integrity however.

Umhlali SAPS spokesperson captain, Vinny Pillay, was voted SA’s most honest public servant and national winner of the first integrity competition last year.

Download The North Coast Courier mobile app, now available free from the Apple iStore and on Google Play, for IOS and Android phones.