Sunday 25 October will forever be etched into the memory of the Byleveldt family.
This was the day that so nearly cost Alf Byleveldt his life. A freak accident in his home workshop left Alf with severe burns to his hands, face and head.
But Alf miraculously survived.
Alf became known as the man from Jelani security that would mostly be the first on a fire scene. The enthusiasm and passions that Alf displayed towards his work at accident scenes and fires is contagious.
Sometimes Alf would grab the “Jaws of Life” from somewhat hapless GMM firemen shouting “let me show you how” when they would be moving to slow to his liking.
The White and Blue Mahindra also became well known at protest actions as Alf would babysit his client’s assets.
Langamed responded immediately to the scene of the accident with ER24 on their heels. Emergency medical care was administered, and Alf was stabilised before ER24 transported him to Mediclinic Highveld. He was airlifted to Milpark Burn ICU shortly after.
Read about Burn Facilities and Services at the Milpark Burn ICU HERE
There is a long recovery road ahead of Alf, as his burns are deep and severe. He is still in ICU and under sedation. He will be critical for at least the next four months. He is also heavily sedated to help with the severe pain that burns victims’ experience. His doctors are considering whether they should reduce some of the sedation to assess his condition better, but it has not been done yet.
The current treatment includes a visit to the theatre every 48 hours for a scrubbing of his wounds. This is especially important as infection is a major concern for burn victims.
The road to good health is awfully long as Alf would need skin transplants, more surgery, and a lot of physiotherapy. But Alf is a fighter and is responding positive to his treatment.
Also read: Health workers celebrated and honoured by Sasol
Petro Byleveldt, Alf’s wife, is keeping his friends updated on a WhatsApp group. The Bulletin spoke to Petro earlier this week to enquire to Alf’s’ health and the family. What we have found is that the whole family rallied around Alf and his business to ensure that his clients and friends are not neglected.
Jelani Security was found in 2016 by Alf Byleveldt.
As a responsible Security Provider, they offer the following services.
• Physical Site Security
• Access Control
• Patrolling
• Canine
• Guarding
“I would like to assure all our clients at Jelani Security that nothing has change on the operational side of the business” said Petro. She explained that Alf has a passion for his clients but most of all his staff. “we have a little too much staff, but Alf cannot let them go,” said Petro, “he is concerned that they will have nowhere else to go.”
The following contact numbers for Jelani can now be used:
- Ben van Jaarsveld- 0820826045
- Petro Byleveldt- 0725675345
The Bulletin also often made use of information that Alf would provide, sometimes very late at night, regarding protest actions and other actions. It would appear that Alf never slept.
Petro asked for his friends to send voice messages if they could that she could play for him at her few visits. “His responded every time that he heard messages.” Said Petro Byleveldt. “The Nursing Sisters was so pleased when she saw him moving his foot, that she tried to get him to repeat it. She could not get him to do it.”
Friends all joined the WhatsApp group and regularly send messages of encouragement and well wishes to Alf and his family.
Only his wife is allowed to visit him, not even his children, and then for only 30 minutes a day. Petro can also not even touch him at the moment. Touching is a natural human way of showing affection, empathy etc.
Petro said, “I would like to thank everyone for their words of encouragement, messages and just the quick hugs that everyone were sending to the Family and also to Alf. It would be far more difficult to work through this if it were not for them. I would also like to thank everyone that were involved, and still are, with his care and business.”
The Bulletin would like to express our heartfelt sympathy with the injuries of Alf Byleveldt and wish him a speedy and full recovery.
He better hurry up, there is work to do!
