Probe into racism ordered

This article follows the one that was published last week regarding the racism at EMS in Brixton. The article was originally published in the Star.

Just days after The Saturday Star exposed alleged racism at the Brixton Fire Station, the Chief of Johannesburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) Ntombi Gule has ordered that every single station be investigated for racism. The probe, which has already begun, will look at all 29 stations and will involve over 1 000 paramedics and firemen and women as well as every other division within EMS.
Last week, we reported on how black and coloured families were allegedly being victimised and sometimes assaulted by the white families at the Brixton hostels. A coloured fireman told how he stabbed a white fireman after a racist argument. This incident was the climax of what the coloured man described as “seven years of being taunted by these white people calling us baboons and kaffirs” not just at his home but also at his place of work.
He also made allegations of racism against his own boss, station commander Thami Gqiba, who ironically is black. He told how Gqiba on the one hand “hates white people” but on the other hand ignored all complaints from the black and coloured fireman.

EMS spokesperson Malcolm Midgeley said any paramedic or firefighter found guilty of racism after the investigations had been completed would be dismissed immediately.
“After she read the (Saturday Star’s) story she flipped. Now, we have started an investigation into every single division and department. In addition, we will also have an opinion poll which should give us an idea of how bad this problem really is. (Gule) is very angry. She wants this to be sorted out as soon as possible,” said Midgeley.
This week, meanwhile, a former member of the Brixton Fire Station also made allegations of racism against Gqiba.
Cerian Davies worked as a firewoman Brixton for many years and described Qiba as “racist and incompetent”.
“Gqiba continuously victimised white firefighters and their families and to my knowledge is doing it to this day. He is not only racist but incompetent as well and this I can vouch for because he would request that I do his paper work for him.

“The man gets away with murder and has created this racist rage between the firefighters. Before his command, Brixton was a top station with discipline and all firefighters worked well together, regardless of skin colour,” said Davies.
When approached for comment Gqiba said he was unable to comment on any of the allegations leveled against him as he was not allowed to speak to the media.
Jody Kollapen, chairperson of the South African Human Rights Commission said the biggest concern was why EMS had not earlier taken appropriate steps to avert the conflict and racism.
“Although this probe by management cannot be avoided, it will only polarize people. The commission recommends that EMS review their policies across the board and give their workers the necessary tools to deal with racism and conflict,” said Kollapen.