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AFB

Closure didn’t jeopardize base’s combat readiness

 

Air Force Base (AFB) Makhado’s combat readiness was not jeopardized last week when staff members were sent home as a result of low water levels.

“Basically the base was closed for two days in a row [last Wednesday and Thursday] due to low water levels on the base that made it unsafe for flying activities,” said Capt Mpho Mathebula from the base’s communications department. She reacted to a media enquiry on Wednesday on behalf of the base’s acting officer commanding, Col Moses Njomo.

Mathebula said that the low water levels were caused by a power outage resulting from a “miscommunication” between the Department of Public Works and the Makhado Municipality. “The issue of the power outage is being handled by the Department of Public Works (DPW) and the Makhado Municipality. A meeting is scheduled for Monday [24 October] between the AFB Makhado, the DPW and the municipality to sensitize the DPW and the municipality about our operations,” said Mathebula. She explained that the old municipality was aware of how they operated, but following the appointment of a new municipality after the August elections, the new municipality might not be aware of how they operate.

Mathebula reiterated the fact that the base’s combat readiness was not affected in any way, adding that there was never a situation where no drinking water was available. “The decision to close the base was purely a safety measure. It was also not a complete shutdown of the base. Just our core business sections were shut down,” said Mathebula.

Amidst the drought and frequent water shortages in town and surroundings areas, Mathebula said that water shortages were not common on the base. “Last week’s water shortage was something out of the ordinary. Our water levels are always relatively constant,” said Mathebula. She confirmed that the water situation at the base has since returned to normal and that the base is 100% operational again.

News - Date: 24 October 2016

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Andries van Zyl

Andries joined the Zoutpansberger and Limpopo Mirror in April 1993 as a darkroom assistant. Within a couple of months he moved over to the production side of the newspaper and eventually doubled as a reporter. In 1995 he left the newspaper group and travelled overseas for a couple of months. In 1996, Andries rejoined the Zoutpansberger as a reporter. In August 2002, he was appointed as News Editor of the Zoutpansberger, a position he holds until today.

Email: [email protected]

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