Seven highly trained emergency technicians from Ekurhuleni, part of SA’s elite Rescue SA 01 Urban Search and Rescue team, were welcomed home at the Leon Ferreira Fire Station and Training Centre in Boksburg on January 28.
They had just completed a seven-day flood-response deployment in Limpopo. According to the senior district manager at the CoE’s DEMS Training Academy, Theresa Geldenhuys, the team was deployed from January 21 to 28 following severe flooding in the Vhembe District that overwhelmed local emergency services.
“Their primary mission was to search for a vehicle that had been washed away by the floods, along with its occupants, after a request for assistance was escalated through the National Disaster Management Centre to the Gauteng Provincial Disaster Management Centre.”
Geldenhuys said Rescue SA 01 is the only International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (Insarag)-classified urban search and rescue team in SA, a United Nations-recognised certification that qualifies teams to respond to large-scale disasters locally and internationally.
“The team was classified in 2017 and is based in Gauteng, with technicians from the CoE, Johannesburg and Tshwane.
“Other provinces are working towards Insarag classification, but Rescue SA 01 remains the only team currently qualified to respond at this level.
“As flooding worsened across the region, Mozambique also requested assistance. However, logistical challenges prevented cross-border deployment, and resources were redirected to reinforce operations in Limpopo,” Geldenhuys said.
In total, 32 Rescue SA 01 members were mobilised. Fourteen technicians were initially deployed to Limpopo, including two from Ekurhuleni.
A further 18 members scheduled to go to Mozambique were diverted to Limpopo to supplement the existing team, adding five more Ekurhuleni technicians. Altogether, seven Ekurhuleni technicians, specialised rescue vehicles and equipment were deployed.
Lizwilenkosi Mahlaba, Sunnyboy Marosa, Lifty Ngoepe, Therese Geldenhuys, Simphiwe Dube and Jabulani Ngoveni. Front: Nonhlanhla Nxumalo, Bawelile Mlangeni and Senzeni Ribane.
She said deployment is never easy. It requires extensive planning, logistics and co-ordination, but they are proud of how the team represented Ekurhuleni under difficult conditions.
“The team found the missing vehicle and search ed extensively for its occupants. While they were not found during the deployment, search efforts continue.
“The technicians showed advanced water rescue skills, operating in extreme heat and under constant threat from wild animals in the flood zone.”
Deployed technician Simphiwe Dube said conditions on the ground were dangerous and unpredictable.
“We were deployed near the Dzindi River in the Tswinga Village and were warned about hippos, snakes and crocodiles. We saw large crocodiles when working, but remained calm and focused.”
Lizwilenkosi Mahlaba, Sunnyboy Marosa, acting divisional head of DEMS Lifty Ngoepe, Simphiwe Dube and Jabulani Ngoveni. Front: Nonhlanhla Nxumalo, Bawelile Mlangeni and Senzeni Ribane.
He said the team operated under the SAPS’ command and used non-lethal, sound-based deterrents to manage wildlife threats, including jet skis to keep animals at a safe distance.
“Throughout the mission, we worked closely together.
“We remained calm, worked as a team and ensured everyone’s safety. Despite the conditions, we performed our duties to the best of our abilities.”
Besides the search operation, the team helped flood-affected communities by recovering vehicles, helping displaced residents and distributing food and basic supplies. Dube said the team’s safe return was the mission’s greatest achievement.
“We are grateful to have returned home safely. We helped where we could, and no one was injured. That is what matters most.”
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