Kroonnuus TEL (056) 212 3171
DINSDAG 24 MAART 2015
Brigade under fire
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Equipment, staff found lacking Tharine Hurter CONCERN is mounting regarding the capacity of the Moqhaka Municipality’s fire brigade to extinguish a blaze, should a big fire break out in Kroonstad, Viljoenskroon or Steynsrus. Kroonnuus, together with DA councillors Jean Hattingh and Grace Wille, paid the fire brigade a visit on Thursday (19/03). Upon arrival no big fire engine was in sight, only a light-duty vehicle (LDV) with a fire-fighter and the HazMat trailer. Hattingh said concerned members of the community questioned the efficiency of the fire brigade, which had failed to extinguish fires successfully on various occasions in the past. “Our first observation on entering the building was a female employee, dressed in a red T-shirt, sleeping in a chair – certainly not promoting the image of the station to visitors,” Hattingh commented. Although the fire-fighting men and women do have protective clothing, it seems to be not worn correctly. Hattingh said employees had not been issued with uniforms for an extended period of time and permanent staff members were left with no choice other than to wear their own clothing. For the past three years or more, a fire engine had been hired from a private company at some R35 000 per month. The fire engine was not on site during the visit. Kroonnuus learned that it was registered in Botswana and had needed to go back to Botswana for vehicle registration. However, arrangements had been made with the Mafube Municipality to make its fire engine available in the case of a serious fire. The Mafube Municipality serves the region of Frankfort. Hattingh and Wille were concerned that the only two fire-fighting LDV’s were not sufficient to service the whole of Moqhaka. The fire-fighters were also only equipped for veld fires, Hattingh said. Portia Tshabalala, acting municipal manager and director for emergency services in Moqhaka, said the cost of hiring the fire engine was in line with the service level agreement.
“This puts the safety of the community and all proper ties at risk in the event of a fire,. – Jean Hattingh “The fire engine, however, does have to go for routine repairs and maintenance from time to time. During those times the remaining equipment will be used in fire-fighting situations,” Tshabalala said. Not all fire brigade vehicles were at the station, as other duties such as inspections were also being seen to, said Tshabalala. Kroonnuus observed a sign board at the station with the licence plate numbers of the fire brigade vehicles, and their seemed to be more than ten licenced vehicles. “The process of purchasing protective clothing is underway and an advertisement for tenders has already been placed. The process is unfolding as per our supply chain management procurement policy,” assured Tshabalala. She said the maintenance of all infrastructure and equipment throughout the municipality was prioritised and a process of systematic maintenance had already commenced within the constraints of the budget. A shortage of permanent fire-fighting men and women was also apparent during the visit. Only eight staff members are on duty during a shift. Only three of these are permanent employees of Moqhaka – the others are contract workers. When questioned in this regard, Tshabalala said a revised organisational structure was subject to the various consultation processes. According to her, this would be finalised as soon as possible, whereafter the personnel situation would be assessed and vacant posts filled. Hattingh said they were of the opinion that the Kroonstad Fire Brigade, with its present limited equipment, would be largely restricted in its ability to extinguish a fire promptly and effectively. “This puts the safety of the community and all properties at risk in the event of a fire,” said Hattingh.
WILMARIE DE VILLIERS (5) geniet die smaak van ’n granaat. Sy is die dogter van Willie en Marie de Villiers van Kroonstad. Foto: Etienne de Villiers
Vrug herinner aan plaas Tharine Hurter DIE granaat is een van die vyf Bybelse plante wat reeds in Deuteronomium 8 genoem word. Die vrug kom ook van ’n aantreklike plant wat tipies aan die plaaslewe herinner en destyds gewild was om in lanings te plant. Die lanings het as
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windbrekers gedien. Deesdae is die voedingswaarde van die vrug wyd bekend en as ’n delikatesse bied dit ’n lieflike smaak as die pitte daarvan in die mond “ontplof”. Vir die Jode was granate nog altyd ’n moet in maaltydbeplanning. Kenners meen dié vrug is ’n uitstekende bron van yster.
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28 Rautenbach St, Kroonheuwel, Kroonstad 9499 Contact: Penny 082 853 2515 info@pennysguesthouse.co.za
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