Residents battle fire, no brigade
Two people died in a head-on collision on the R101 next to Weenen on Tuesday evening.
LIMPOPO – Kagiso Mootane, Spokesperson for the Department of Transport, reported: “The driver of a sedan overtook a truck and collided head-on with a bakkie travelling in the opposite direction. The sedan consequently erupted in flames.”
Mootane further said: “The drivers of both vehicle’s died on the scene and two passengers from each vehicle were rushed to the Voortrekker Hospital with critical injuries.”
Mokopane Police Spokesperson, Sgt Irene Masingi said: “A case of culpable homicide has been opened and investigations are ongoing.”
A witness at the scene and a member of the Nastional Conservative Party (NKP), Kruger de Beer, told Bosveld : “A single fire engine and one employee from the Mogalakwena Fire Brigade responded to the accident scene, only about 40 minutes after the accident occurred and only after numerous calls were made. The employees at the Fire Brigade said they do not work after hours as they are not getting paid anymore.”
Derick Lensley, a tow truck driver who was on the scene, stated he and a number of bystanders had to assist the fire official to battle the flames. “I had to take the fire official back to the station to get another fire engine after all of the water in the first one was used.” Valerie Byliefeldt, Leader of the NKP in Mogalakwena, said: “This is unacceptable and we will make sure an investigation into this matter is conducted. What is more important; money or a person’s life?”
Residents have been asking if it is in fact true that the Mogalakwena Fire Brigade and the Emergency Services do not work after hours or weekends any more due to alleged restrictions that have been placed on their overtime operations by the municipality?
Divisional Head of Communications, Malesela Selokela gave the following answer: “We would like to inform residents of Mogalakwena that the Fire Brigade emergency services will be available after hours and on weekends. The service will not be interrupted as the officials will continue to render emergency services outside the ordinary working hours of the municipality. It is not a decision of the municipality to cut overtime to 40 hours. Overtime is regulated by legislation, in terms of the basic conditions of the employment Act 75 of 1997, Section 10. The municipality wants to ensure employees comply by the said Act as in terms of the basic employment act tax payers’ funds cannot be compromised but must be managed effectively and efficiently.”
redaksie.bosvelder@nmgroup.co.za
