More victims of alleged certificate fraud come forward

In a shocking expose, the Tlokwe City Council Fire Brigade Services Training Centre has been revealed to be embroiled in a widespread scandal involving alleged fraud.

The allegations, brought to light by numerous victims including Daddy Claasen Mogapi, Lerato Maleke, Rapelang Sillas Lehihi, Lebohang Dlisane, Quata Thabana, and others, depict a disturbing pattern of deceit and dashed hopes among aspiring firefighters.

Daddy Claasen Mogapi, a resident of Promosa in Ikageng, Potchefstroom, shared his disillusionment with the training center, stating, “We enrolled in firefighting courses with hopes of better prospects amidst high unemployment, only to find our certifications in question.” Mogapi’s sentiment was echoed by Lerato Maleke, highlighting a systematic failure within the center’s certification processes. “Certificates were issued prematurely, casting doubt on the integrity of the entire training program,” Maleke lamented.

Responding to these grave accusations, the municipality has committed to a thorough investigation to hold accountable those responsible for the alleged misconduct. Jeanette Tshite, Acting Communications Manager at J.B. Marks Municipality, emphasized the municipality’s stance, stating, “We are committed to conducting a comprehensive investigation in accordance with procedural guidelines and legal counsel.”

Abel Nazo, compiled a list of over 300 affected students. “Many have given up on firefighting careers or switched to ambulance services due to the inability to obtain SAESI certification.”

Rapelang Sillas Lehihi detailed the frustrations faced by his cohort from the 2015 class, saying, “We managed to register with SAESI, but efforts to secure our certificates were thwarted by ongoing investigations and the college’s subsequent closure.” Quata Thabana, from the 2016-2017 class, added, “Without proper SAESI registration, we are unable to apply for jobs in the firefighting sector.”

SAESI’s stance solidified the severity of the situation. Lulu Ferreira, Administrative Officer at SAESI, confirmed the suspension of Tlokwe’s accreditation in 2016 due to critical deficiencies found during an accreditation visit. “No training or certification of accredited courses was permitted,” Ferreira stated, underscoring the regulatory body’s role in safeguarding educational standards.

Lebogang Dlisane further underscored the ripple effects of the scandal, stating, “In short, because we couldn’t register with the relevant Firefighters, we can’t apply for jobs hence most of us opted for ambulance courses as they are valid and registered, to apply where we currently work.” Dlisane highlighted institutions such as ER24 and various provincial government EMS services in North West and Gauteng as viable alternatives for affected individuals seeking career stability.