UPDATE: The stolen firefighting equipment has been found by a local neighbourhood watch group.
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Essential equipment needed to fight the raging fires currently still blazing through Nelson Mandela Bay, has been stolen from the helicopters provided by Gift of the Givers.
Mayor, Retief Odendaal, said that it is with sincere regret that the NPO has informed him this morning that one of the helicopters had been broken into last night, December 2.
This specific helicopter has been assisting to fight the fires over the last week.
Odendaal said that unfortunately, critical firefighting equipment has been removed from the helicopter.
“Although this may just have been an opportunity theft, considering the specific nature of the equipment stolen, there are suspicions that the culprit(s) may have wanted to hamper our firefighting abilities,” he said.
The equipment that was stolen is known as a Sacksafoam Control Unit. Here is a brief description of its function: “The Sacksafoam is a foam injection system for the transfer and dispensing of aerial firefighting foam, designed to be operated with the world-renowned Bambi Bucket®.”
He added that after speaking to Safety and Security MMC, Lawrence Troon this morning, they have decided to make available a reward of R10 000 to anyone that can provide information that will lead to the arrest of the culprit(s) and/or the return of the equipment.
“I want to apologise sincerely to Gift of the Givers for the unfortunate development. The city is embarrassed about this despicable act especially given the continued assistance that you have offered NMB residents free of charge. I’m told that Afriforum has offered to replace the equipment but I hope that we will be able to locate it before they have to incur this cost.
“Any person with important information relating to the theft can contact SAPS or inbox me directly (on Facebook),” Odendaal said.
