Note to Editors: Please find attached English soundbite by Cllr Richard Khumalo, Afrikaans soundbite by Cllr Eleanor Quinta and Sesotho soundbite by Cllr Paseka Mokoena.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Maluti-a-Phofung will write to the municipal manager to urgently repair existing fire engines and prioritise the procurement of additional units for all operational areas. While the municipality’s draft budget allocates funds for firefighting vehicles, the reality is that Phuthaditjhaba, Kestell, and Harrismith remain inadequately equipped because the existing fire engines are inoperable.
We have consistently raised this matter through the Portfolio Committee on Public Safety, Transport, and Protection Services. Adequate, working firefighting resources are essential to safeguarding lives, property, and infrastructure across all units of the municipality.
While Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality (TMDM) has received some firefighting equipment from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) for veld fires, these vehicles are designed specifically for grass and bush fires and are not suitable for structural or building fires. Maluti-a-Phofung, therefore, still lacks the capacity to respond reliably to urban fire incidents.
In 2023, Kestell experienced the destruction of three buildings, which were burnt to the ground due to delays in the emergency response. These delays were largely due to limited firefighting resources, with only one operational fire engine serving the entire Maluti-a-Phofung area.
As the winter season approaches, the DA calls on the municipality to urgently repair existing fire engines and procure additional units to ensure prompt, effective response to fire incidents.
Broken equipment puts residents at risk and exposes the municipality to potential liability and homeowner claims in Maluti-a-Phofung in the event of fire-related property damage.