Fighting fires and crime in Secunda is what Alf Byleveldt does best

Since buying and fitting a skid unit to his vehicle, Mr Alf Byleveldt and his Jelani Security team tended to several emergencies.

In a recent incident, he and a crew member, as well as a policeman from Kinross were trapped and surrounded by protesters in the Afghanistan township in Kinross on Tuesday morning, 26 June.

They stood their ground to stop the mob from setting a petrol tanker alight until back-up arrived.

Other situations that they were involved in, included rushing to the aid of Murray & Robberts personnel whose offices were torched by protesters recently.

Also read: Protesters in custody for public violence at Murray and Roberts

The crew also extinguished several house and shack fires in eMbalenhle, Kinross and Trichardt, and fighting veld fires, too many to mention. Mr Byleveldt seems to be right in the middle of many dangerous situations in this area.

“It is in my nature to serve. I see a need and I want to help,” he said. He does this work voluntarily and without compensation. “I see this as my contribution to my community. I may not have riches, but I have knowledge and know how.”

When asked what he would like to receive as reward for his selfless work, Mr Byleveldt answered: “I don’t need a reward. I do however need a new fire fighter kit. Mine has come with me since 1986, so it is really falling apart.”

He fitted his vehicle with the skid unit to ensure that his client’s buses did not go up in flames during the national bus strike. He wanted to be prepared if protesters targeted a bus.

Mr Byleveldt is a former firefighter who joined the fire department as a volunteer at the age of 16 when he was still at school in Heilbron. The minute he finished school, he stepped into the position as junior fireman.

WATCH: Shacks saved in the nick of time in eMbalenhle

He later moved to Palaborwa, Limpopo where he worked as an assistant supervisor at the traffic department and also operated as a fireman.

Mr Byleveldt met his wife, Petro, in Palaborwa where she was also an employee of the local municipality. They have two adult children, Alfie and Vicky.

The couple relocated to Secunda when Ms Byleveldt was offered a good job at Sasol in 2010. Mr Byleveldt then ventured into the security business and worked for another company until he eventually registered his own security company, Jelani.

Besides the regular security functions that he and his team perform, they are often at the forefront helping in emergency situations, whether it is to extinguish fires, or to support the police and StratconRisk. “I suppose this is just in my blood,” he said.

People who want to sponsor Mr Byleveldt with a new kit, can phone him at 060 920 4897.

https://www.citizen.co.za/ridge-times/116648/10-cars-crash-into-each-other/