FORMER firefighter and CEO of Private Fire Brigade, Wynand Engelbrecht is a key witness in the Commission of Inquiry into the Usindiso building.
He has been accused of having a bone to pick with the City of Joburg.
This is after Engelbrecht testified before the commission on 18 January that there were loopholes in the rescue operation when the fire broke out at Usindiso Shelter in Marshalltown in August 2023.
His testimony placed the city under hot water and created an illusion that the city was under prepared when attending the deadly Marshalltown fire which claimed the lives of 75 people, injured 60 more and left many homeless.
ALSO READ: Marshalltown Fire Inquiry: 'Rescue team had no equipment'
During the inquiry on Monday, 12 February, Advocate Kenny Phuroe appearing on behalf of the City of Joburg grilled Engelbrecht over his testimony.
Phuroe indicated that Engelbrecht did not volunteer to appear before the commission but rather came with an intention to "settle a score" with the city.
This as the city has not paid Engelbrecht private fire brigade about R160 000 for the services rendered during the tragic fire and that the city never acknowledged the brigade for their efforts during that time.
Engelbrecht's private fire brigades were among those who were first at the scene to attend the fire and assist the EMS who, according to him, came with limited resources to deal with the dilemma which ultimately compromised the rescue operation.
But Engelbrecht argued otherwise.
He denied Phuroe's claims that they had a score to settle and that his presence at the commission was voluntary and he chose to concentrate on the dynamics of the fire and happenings of the fire and did not concentrate on the commercials of the events.
While he agreed that to this day the city has not paid them for their services, he said they have reached an agreement.
