Speaking at the official launch of the project in Kya Sands, department minister Rob Davies warned that suppliers of paraffin stoves which do not comply with the standards set by the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications and approved by the National Consumer Commission, will be prosecuted.
Residents were asked to bring their non-compliant stoves to the launch so that these stoves could be destroyed, and in turn these residents received new, locally made paraffin stoves which comply with national standards.
“The National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications sets standards for imported goods which have to be met,” said Davies.
“Goods that do not meet this standard may not be sold in South Africa. Anyone who sells goods of a sub-standard nature is committing a criminal offence.”
Davies was referring to retailers who imported appliances such as paraffin stoves which were sold at significantly reduced prices due to poor quality control exercised in the making of these products, thereby giving stiff competition to the local market which have to comply with national regulations.
What makes the imported paraffin stoves so dangerous is that they lack a safety valve which cuts off the paraffin supply if the stove is knocked over, drastically increasing the risk of fires. Locally, these stoves are equipped with these valves to ensure compliance.
“We’ve come to launch this campaign here at Kya Sands because we know how this community has been affected by fires,” Davies continued.
Read Smoke from burning shacks seen in Fourways and Kya Sands rises from the ashes
“I was told that more than 900 homes in this area have been destroyed by fires between 2006 and today. Last year, 570 homes were destroyed and
2 800 were affected by a fire caused by a faulty paraffin stove in this settlement.”
Research by the department has shown that the majority of fires that break out in informal settlements are caused by paraffin-fuelled imported appliances which are accidentally knocked over or faulty in some way.
“The department will take steps to eradicate these sub-standard products from our communities,” concluded Davies.
Also read Shacks burnt to the ground in Kya Sand and Kya Sands fire could have been avoided
Councillor for Ward 96, Matome Mafokwane, was also present in support of the department’s campaign and assured residents that this was for the good of the community.
“I need you to understand that this serves to only uplift the community and improve your circumstances and to minimalise danger and fire risks,” stated Mafokwane.
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