BREAKING: No emergency services on account of non-payment
I cannot continue to do this without being paid. My equipment and rescue vehicles do not run on air.
LYDENBURG – All emergency services from Rapid Response has been stopped with immediate effect.
Doen Broekman, hazmat operator and owner of Rapid Response, told the Steelburger/Lydenburg News that he has not received any payment from Thaba Chweu Local Municipality (TCLM) for services rendered.
“There are always excuses when it comes to paying for the services we deliver. My rescue and fire equipment is currently being used at my own expense. I cannot continue to do this without being paid. My equipment and rescue vehicles do not run on air.”
Broekman said that appointments with regard to the payment issue are either being ignored by TCLM or not honoured. “I cannot continue rendering a service I am not being paid for. This includes rescue operations and firefighting.”
The Municipal Manager of TCLM, Thoko Kgoale, said that he is not aware of any payment issues with Rapid Response. “If he has a payment issue, he should come and see me. I am not aware of any outstanding payment. If he decides to stop all rescue operations, then he is not acting in the interest of the community.”
Not so, said Broekman. “I have been rendering these services non-stop without payment because of the community. This has been done for months on end. One has to understand that I have expenses. If these expenses are not covered, I cannot continue with rescue operations.”
