Joburg firefighters fight for their rights
JOBURG – For some months, the City of Joburg has claimed to be a ‘World class African city’ and assured residents that they are in good and safe hands, – despite the City’s ongoing dispute with the fire rescue services. In the dispute, the City has said it is business as usual but the firefighters vehemently dispute this.
Speaking at a press conference in the City’s Council Chamber, the workers alleged that they were being dehumanised, victimised and harassed by the City’s Emergency Management Services (EMS) top management.
The workers also complained about the poor quality of the uniforms they are forced to wear when they are fighting fires. Among their complaints were dysfunctional firefighting equipment; shoddy working conditions that are in contravention of the South African Basic Conditions of Employment Act; and a lack of, or broken, fire engines.
However, in the past few months, these allegations have been denied by EMS spokesperson Robert Mulaudzi. He had said, “It’s business as usual in our organisation. All 28 fire stations throughout the City of Johannesburg are fully operational without any disruptions.”
But during the press conference, firefighter, Bonginkosi Dlangamandla, raised the issue of them being suspended or dismissed at will by management without following proper procedure.
Dlangamandla said, “We even know that they will victimise us for speaking out against the unfair treatment and for being here, but I am not shaken, I am ready for that. Since we started complaining about our poor working conditions we have been victimised.”
He added that they were disturbed by management’s actions because they were fighting for their rights. “How can you be victimised for your bravery and coming forward fighting for your rights?” Dlangamandla asked. He added that there was a staff member who had been dismissed in absentia.
Another firefighter from Jabulani Fire Station, Brosman Maciki, said in their station they have two toilets for 20 staff members, and the male toilet has been faulty for some time forcing the men to use the female toilet at times. He said their complaints to management had fallen on deaf ears.
One of the firefighters, who introduced himself as Zwane, said they were worried about the poor quality of the “fake” uniforms which were endangering their lives in the line of duty. “When we are going into burning buildings we get worried because of the fake uniforms we wear, it’s fake, we get burnt very easily, it’s of a hazardous material, our uniforms are a shame,” Zwane said.
Meanwhile, Maciki added that management had hired a lawyer for a senior manager who was embroiled in a sexual harassment case after he was reported by a female subordinate. “Management is protecting the perpetrator,” Maciki alleged.
Another firefighter from Florida, identified only as Motsepe, revealed that there was one fire engine in Florida and none in Roodepoort.
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