Promotion queries at Fire Dept

Polokwane Municipality faces an investigation by the Public Protector, this time into promotions to senior positions in the Fire Department allegedly not carried out in accordance with prescripts. This after concerns were raised that the service may not be able to cope with emergency situations due to unqualified leaders at the helm.
It is alleged that at least two senior officers, both earning salaries in the region of R28 000 per month plus a vehicle allowance of approximately R11 000 per month, do not possess the qualifications prescribed for the positions.
“People at that level are supposed to take charge of emergency situations where the lives of people and property are at stake and if they do not have the specialised knowledge and experience to deal with such situations, it may result in a disaster of enormous proportions. We are sitting on a time bomb ready to explode,” a source reckoned.
It was learnt that one of the officers, employed as a labourer in the city’s Water and Sanitation Department in 2012, rose from humble beginnings to the position of a senior officer within five years. The required qualification for that position is a Higher Certificate in Fire Technology and Grade 12 and he allegedly only has a certificate obtained from a training facility in Welkom in the Free State. “The gentleman made remarkable progress in the department. He started off as a firefighter in 2013, attended a short course in firefighting and returned as a Junior Fireman, skipping one position. A year later, he was promoted to the rank of Senior Fireman with a salary of approximately R17 000 per month. His potential was soon recognised and within two years he emerged as a senior officer,” the source said.
The other matter relates to a senior officer who was allegedly promoted to an even higher rank more recently without having the minimum qualification of a Diploma in Fire Technology, now earning a monthly salary of approximately R31 000 as well as a vehicle allowance of R11 000.
It was learnt that Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor in Capricorn District Municipality, Ngoako Setjie attempted to secure a meeting with Executive Mayor Thembi Nkadimeng about the situation regarding the promotions but could not be accommodated due to Nkadimeng’s other commitments. “On Friday (5 July) I attempted to make another appointment with the Executive Mayor but I was advised to take my complaints to the Public Protector. Setjie confirmed that he has filed complaints on both matters with the Public Protector on Tuesday.
Communications and Marketing Manager of the municipality, Matshidiso Mothapo said that the matter regarding the appointment of the first officer is already in the hands of the Public Protector. “We could not see any reason for a discussion between the Executive Mayor and Cllr Setjie because the matter is already being dealt with by the Public Protector and we should allow the investigation to proceed unhindered. The municipality is also not at liberty to address confidential matters between the employer and employees in the media,” Mothapo said.
Spokesperson for the Public Protector, Oupa Sekgale was requested to comment on the matter on Monday and the response was being awaited at time of going to print.

Story: BARRY VILJOEN
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