We used own money to buy protECtIvE GEAr - firE oFfiCErs
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M- Officers from the Eswatini National Fire and Emergency Services (ENFES) claim they have used their own money to buy protective gear since government had countlessly ignored their plight.
ENFES officers, who preferred to remain anonymous, alleged that management supplied them with undersize protective gear in 2020 from a certain company which had received the tender to furnish them with uniforms.
They alleged that a decision was then taken and the undersize protective gear was returned to management.
According to the officers, there has been no response from management concerning their concern, yet as fire fighters, it was important that they have protective gear to work in.
The officers claimed that they then decided to purchase protective gear with their personal monies at a cost of E2 500 each.
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“We had no choice as winter is upon us and, as we all know, fires are always a high risk in winter,” said the source.
According to the officers, these gears consist of an overall, safety boots and court shoes.
In an earlier interview, ENFES Public Relations Officer Luke Lushaba said it was not true that officers rejected the uniform that was delivered in 2020.
“An additional uniform were ordered and it will be delivered anytime from now.”Lushaba said.
However, when contacted again by this newspaper on Wednesday and Thursday, he did not respond to calls nor a questionnaire sent to him via WhatsApp.
In the WhatsApp message, Lushaba had been asked to confirm if the uniform he promised had been delivered and if indeed officers purchased their own safety gear.
Ministry of Housing Communication Officer Lungelo Nkhambule asked that this reporter send her a questionnaire.
Nkhambule was asked to shed light on the outcry of the lack of uniform at ENFES as the officers said the old ones had been ruined. She was also asked why officers of ENFES had to buy their own uniforms as they are also government employees.
She had not responded at the time this report was compiled.