Minister honours firefighter

CO-OPERATIVE Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Zweli Mkhize extended his condolences to the family and colleagues of a firefighter killed when the truck he was travelling in overturned and rolled down Mitchell’s Pass near Worcester.

Two reservist firefighters Heinrich Matthyssen, 29, and Corbin Cupido, 20, were admitted to a local hospital for observation.

The incident happened on Sunday while the firefighter and his team were returning from fighting fires.

Mkhize said: “It is with deep sadness that we learnt of the death of Colin Reynhard, 55, who died when their truck overturned in inclement weather.

“Reynhard and his team are the kind of patrons who do their jobs with dedication and losing such an experienced firefighter is a serious blow.

“We have his family in our prayers at this time and we also pray for the speedy recovery of the other two younger team members.”

Reynhard, was an experienced firefighter who joined the fire services in 2003.

Mkhize said he was the second firefighter to die in the area.

Another firefighter, Nico Heyns, died when his helicopter crashed while fighting a blaze in Vermaaklikheid around the Garden Route area.