Note to Editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Mariska Potgieter and Sesotho soundbite by Cllr Kabelo Moreeng. See attached picture here.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Xhariep District will formally engage the municipality to urgently review and revise its strategy regarding the recently donated firefighting engines.
The DA will also engage with the three local municipalities, Kopanong, Letsemeng, and Mohokare, to ensure that these vital vehicles are placed where they can be used most effectively to protect lives and property.
While the donation of the firefighting engines is commendable, we are deeply concerned that the district lacks the necessary budget to service, maintain, and operate these vital pieces of equipment.
In the event of a fire within the three local municipalities of Kopanong, Letsemeng, and Mohokare, the distance and high fuel costs associated with deploying these vehicles would make it extremely difficult for the District Municipality to respond effectively.
This defeats the very purpose of the donation, which was intended to strengthen firefighting capacity and improve community safety.
The DA is therefore of the view that these firefighting engines would be more effective if they were allocated directly to the local municipalities.
Despite their own financial constraints, the local municipalities are in a better position to:
- Ensure that the vehicles are serviced and maintained,
- Provide secure storage facilities for the equipment, and
- Respond more quickly and efficiently in times of emergency.
We are also concerned about the legal aspects of using this equipment, as the Xhariep District will only be able to use it as support. Policies should be reviewed to ensure that the Xhariep District municipality complies with legislation when using this equipment.
The municipality is currently training responders via the EPWP programme, and one firefighting officer is employed to respond. This still leaves two vehicles unusable during emergencies.
Our communities deserve practical, accessible, and immediate firefighting support, not equipment that stands idle due to a lack of funding.
We also urge the relevant Free State Provincial departments to assist the municipality in this regard.