THE brave firefighters from Makhado Fire Station in Limpopo have finally been recognised for their dedication during the battle to control the fire at Kutama-Sinthumule Maximum Prison on Friday, 13 October.
Six remarkable firefighters, both men and women, were showered with certificates of appreciation in a heartwarming ceremony hosted by the Vhembe District Municipality.
Putting their lives on the line for inmates
Vincent Mulangaphama, the fire station's officer, recounted the harrowing experience and how they managed to save the lives of the inmates.
Upon arrival at the scene, they swiftly tackled the fire in one building but as they were nearing containment, another building caught fire.
"It was an incredibly challenging situation for us, but we remained steadfast in our mission to save all the prisoners and extinguish the fires in three different buildings.
"It was like we were in battle with fire and prisoners who were angry while carrying sharp objects and fearing for their lives," he said.
Reward for their bravery
The ceremony drew more than 100 attendees, including dignitaries such as various traditional leaders, including Hosi Bungeni.
As a token of appreciation, the South African Custodial Management (SACM) has awarded the station with R180 000.
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District Mayor Dowelani Nenguda handed over certificates and a gold trophy to the station.
The recognition comes after the said firefighters contained the devastating fire in Makhado on Monday, 7 August.
It was reported that the flames had not only threatened lives but also affected the prison's kitchen, maintenance section and two blocks.
Grateful for the recognition
As they were honoured for their heroic efforts, Vincent expressed the team's deep sense of pride and satisfaction in knowing that their hard work was being acknowledged.
Their relentless efforts took about 11 grueling hours, with mayor Nenguda stressing the importance of recognising the firefighters for their outstanding performance.
"The firefighters have indeed shown immense bravery and commitment, and we're happy to duly acknowledge their heroism," he said.
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