A total of 44 non-compliant paraffin heaters and three paraffin stoves were confiscated during compliance inspections at 61 retailers across the Western Cape.
The blitz was organised by the Department of Trade and Industry (dti) and its regulatory agencies, the National Consumer Commission (NCC), and the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) together with the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) and the City of Cape Town with the support of the South African Police Services (SAPS).
The non-compliant products were confiscated and removed from retailers that operate in Fish Hoek, Khayelitsha, Nyanga, Ottery and Parow.
Speaking at the Safe Paraffin Appliance Campaign held in Masiphumelele, in the Western Cape, NCC Commissioner Ebrahim Mohamed said the Commission will continue to discourage and educate consumers from buying non-compliant paraffin appliances.
The Commissioner also warned businesses against selling such appliances to people, adding that business can face criminal prosecution if they did not stop putting people’s lives at risk.
“I do however believe that the prevalence of these appliances is much more widespread, but by working together as government and society we will root them out of every corner of this province,” said Mohamed.
Masimphumele fire victim, Lulama Jack, said communities need to be educated and made aware of safe products.
“I did not only lose my possessions but lost a grandchild in the process. My whole family had to be accommodated at the community hall together with other victims who went through the same ordeal as me,” she said.
She urged the community to take precautions and learn as much as they could about the dangers of illegal paraffin stoves and other goods so that they could protect themselves against the fire. – SAnews.gov.za
