Alleged firefighter scam shatters

In a heartbreaking tale of deceit and shattered dreams, allegations of a scam have overshadowed Lerato Maleke’s aspirations of becoming a firefighter, leaving her without the certification she rightfully earned. The story, unfolding since 2014, reveals a troubling pattern of mismanagement and alleged fraud within the J.B. Marks Fire Department. Lerato Maleke, a determined young woman, enrolled in a firefighter course at the J.B. Marks Fire Department in January 2014. With high hopes and a future in firefighting within reach, she paid an initial amount of R2,700 into the fire department’s bank account. However, things took a suspicious turn when the then-manager of the course demanded that she make subsequent payments directly to him by hand. Despite the unusual request, Lerato complied, paying him the remainder of the course fees.

After completing the course in April 2014, Lerato expected to receive her certificate. However, she heard she had to pay another R400 to SAESI (South African Emergency Services Institute) to obtain her certificate. Lerato promptly made the payment, only to be met with an unsettling revelation: the contract between SAESI and the J.B. Marks Fire Department had ended, and SAESI could not issue her certificate. Determined to get to the bottom of the issue, Lerato and her mother, Josephine Maleke, tirelessly pursued answers. They visited the fire department, contacted the mayor, and reached out to SAESI, all in vain. According to Lerato, the current acting manager of the fire department offered a refund if she agreed to drop the matter, further fueling suspicions of foul play.

In a startling twist, SAESI confirmed that Potchefstroom/ Tlokwe had lost its accreditation in 2016 due to non-compliance. That raised serious questions about why Lerato had to pay SAESI in 2017, long after the contract had ended. Moreover, it later emerged that some certificates issued during this period, including Lerato’s, were allegedly signed by someone other than the course manager responsible. The J.B. Marks Municipality has since acknowledged the problem, promising to address it comprehensively and hold those responsible to account. Jeanette Tshite, spokesperson at J.B. Marks Municipality, commented on the issue, stating, “The J.B. Marks Local Municipality is aware of the problem that involves student firefighters and is taking appropriate action. We are sending invitations to everyone impacted so we can handle the problem holistically and not piecemeal. If there is evidence of foul play, the municipality will act swiftly and without delay to hold those responsible accountable. Thus, we ask the public to allow the municipality to address the matter correctly. ”However, the damage to Lerato’s career aspirations and eroded trust in the fire department’s training programmes remains profound.

“We have fought for those certificates,” Josephine lamented. “My daughter passed and got the results, but without the certificate, it means nothing.” The course manager resigned in 2017 amid unresolved issues and unanswered questions. Despite the municipality’s assurances, the lack of immediate action and the continued evasion by key figures are troubling. These individuals did not comment on any of Lerato’s allegations and did not answer any phone calls from the media. All officials the Herald tried to contact referred the matter to the communication department. “Lerato’s experience is not just a personal tragedy; it is a cautionary tale about the importance of transparency and accountability in
educational institutions,” Catherine Maleke, a family member, added.

The dream of becoming a firefighter, a noble and courageous profession, was tarnished by the very people entrusted to help her achieve it. As the investigation continues, the hope is that justice will prevail and those responsible for this debacle will be held accountable. For Lerato and many like her, this is not just about a certificate; it is about reclaiming their dreams and restoring faith in a system that should support, not betray, its students. Lerato Maleke’s journey underscores a critical need for systemic change to protect future students from similar injustices. Only through rigorous oversight and unwavering commitment to ethical standards can such dreams be safeguarded against the shadows of mismanagement.