 | It pays to blow the whistleIt pays to blow the whistle
24 November 2017 | Press Releases |
Press Release
Arson: It pays to blow the whistle
24 November 2017
Having
suffered 1 702 fires in the Drakenstein area over the last
approximately two years – claiming the lives of 18 people and injuring a
further 91 - Drakenstein Municipality has started a substantial rewards
system for people spotting and reporting arsonists, whether these
culprits have committed this crime willfully or unintentionally.
Between
1 July 2015 and 30 September 2017 the Drakenstein area – covering
Paarl, Wellington, Gouda, Hermon, Saron and Simondium – saw altogether
271 building fires, 191 informal settlement fires, 1 095 grass/bush
fires, 69 vehicle fires, 5 train fires and 71 other related fires.
“As
we are all aware, Drakenstein and other areas in the Western Cape are
caught in the grip of an epic drought,” says Dr Johan Leibbrandt, City
Manager of Drakenstein Municipality. “We also know that our fire risks
increase as the drier, windier summer season kicks in. What adds to our
fire-fighting operational challenges this year, is the severe water
shortages the Western Cape is experiencing. That is why Drakenstein
encourages our residents to be our eyes and ears on the ground, assist
us in taking legal action against arsonists, and in the process be
rewarded.”
Whistle-blowers who provide information leading to the
successful criminal prosecution of an arsonist or any person who
committed a criminal act against Drakenstein Municipality, stand to be
rewarded between R20 000 and R200 000. The amount of the reward will
depend on criteria such as the extent of the damage that was suffered.
All reports by whistle-blowers will be studied and considered by a
committee under the chairpersonship of Gerrit Dippenaar, Chief Risk
Officer, Drakenstein Municipality.
Whistle-blowers can call Drakenstein Municipality’s Reporting Hotline Number, 0800 428 429, or send an email to drakenstein@report-it.co.za.
Crimes may be reported anonymously; however, if whistle-blowers want to
be considered for rewards, they are asked to provide their contact
details.
Drakenstein Municipality further encourages its community to support efforts to avoid fires by following these steps:
• Never leave any fire unattended.
• Minors should not be allowed to play with matches, lighters or open flames.
• No fire should be started by a minor without the supervision of an adult.
• In
informal settlements a safe distance of at least 3m to 5m should be
maintained between structures, to limit the spread of fire from one
structure to another.
• All candles should be put out before you go to sleep.
• Familiarise yourself with the layout of your house and practice how to exit the building if there is a fire.
• Never touch any object that is warm to prevent injury.
• When
a fire is detected the premises should be vacated immediately. No
person should be allowed to return to a burning building.
The
Drakenstein Fire and Rescue Department’s contact number is 021 872 2323.
Should businesses or schools require fire and life safety education,
please contact the department on 021 872 1404 for free sessions.
[END]
Issued by:
The Communication and Marketing Team, Drakenstein Municipality
For more information and media enquiries, contact:
Riana Geldenhuys, Manager: Communication and Marketing, Drakenstein Municipality, on
021 807 6390, 082 460 5554 or rianag@drakenstein.gov.za.
