POLOKWANE – Petrus Sekwari, who stays in a small security complex in Jorissen Street said he was recently approached by two men in an unmarked bakkie who claimed to be representatives of a new fire equipment servicing company in the city.
According to Sekwari, after demanding to inspect the fire fighting equipment in the complex, the men who falsely presented themselves as inspectors of the National Fire Association (NFA), said it needed servicing.
“They told me the Body Corporate would be fined if the equipment was not up to standard.”
The men then provided a quote, that according to Sekwari seemed reasonable, for the servicing to be done.
“We handed over 10 fire extinguishers and two water hoses as we didn’t want to be fined. We issued payment the same day.”
The men “serviced” the equipment on site, but it was only until later that Sekwari said they suspected something was wrong.
“The following day a resident brought it to my attention that his fire extinguisher was not working. The gauge on the extinguisher showed no compression levels which meant the equipment was useless.”
“I tried in vain to contact the two men on the cell phone numbers as stated on the invoice.”
After enquiring through the South African Qualification and Certification Committee (SAQCC), the industry’s regulatory authority, it was found the company does not exist either.
According to Werner Fonhorsten, the Manager of Unity Fire in the city, the SAQCC website is one of the easiest and fastest ways through which to ensure a company is registered to service fire fighting equipment.
“It is as easy as typing in the name of a service company or technician to see if they are SAQCC registered,” he advised.
For more information, contact SAQCC at (011) 455 3157 or go to the website www.saqccfire.co.za.
Polokwane Police Spokesperson, Capt. Nthobeng Phala, said even though no formal complaint was made, that residents should be on the lookout of opportunistic businesspeople who take advantage of uninformed residents.
