Tshwane goes to court in bid to douse volunteer firefighting services
The City of Tshwane is accusing volunteer firefighting services of operating illegally, interfering with the city's command and control structures during emergency incidents and compromising incident scene management.
The city also put a stop to AfriForum's Neighbourhood Watch and cleaning operations.
City spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the city has filed a court application to enforce compliance with legislation.
Tshwane accuses volunteer firefighting groups of illegal operations
'These entities are functioning without legal authority, regulatory approval or formal agreements with the municipality, in direct contravention of national and local legislation governing emergency services.
'This development presents serious safety, legal and operational concerns that the city cannot ignore,' he said.
ALSO READ: One dead in a shack fire at informal settlement in Ekurhuleni
Mashigo said the city views this court action as necessary to restore order, protect public safety and ensure the regulation of emergency services.
'The provision of fire services is a constitutional mandate reserved exclusively for municipalities, as set out in Schedule 4, part B of the constitution of South Africa, 1996.
'Accordingly, any decision to outsource such services must be made by the municipal council following a rigorous process that includes public consultation, as required by the Municipal Systems Act (Act 32 of 2000).'
City has not adopted resolution to outsource its fire services
Mashigo said to date, the city has not adopted any resolution to outsource its fire services, nor has it entered into service level agreements with any private providers.
'Furthermore, the Fire Brigade Services Act (Act 99 of 1987) stipulates that any fire service operating outside a municipality must obtain a formal designation from the relevant provincial authority.
ALSO READ: WATCH: SA Breweries depot in Soweto goes up in flames
'None of the private fire services operating in Tshwane, including Fire Ops SA, Fidelity Secure Fire, Sinoville Firefighting Association and Laudium Disaster Management, has obtained such designation from the Gauteng MEC for cooperative governance and traditional affairs, as required by law,' he said.
'Moreover, they draw water from municipal fire hydrants without authorisation, contributing to unaccounted water losses and violating city bylaws.
'Beyond the legal infringements, these private services function on a 'for-profit basis', selectively targeting affluent suburbs and industrial areas, while ignoring the broader community,' he said.
City made efforts to engage with entities
'They also issue no burn permits in contradiction of the city's official procedures, creating confusion and undermining the authority of legitimate emergency services.'
The city has made multiple efforts to engage with these entities.
ALSO READ: Man dies after fire guts shack in Palm Ridge in Ekurhuleni
Directives were issued and engagements were referred to the appropriate disaster management authorities. However, these services remained noncompliant, he said.
'When letters of demand were served, they were met with threats and resistance. Despite several attempts at resolution, no cooperation was achieved.'
The Sinoville Firefighting Association (SBBV) hit back and said they will continue to save lives and serve the community, despite the court application.
SBBV hit back
SBBV founder Johan Botha said the SBBV operates within the law and was not illegal.
'The SBBV is a volunteer organisation from the community, for the community. Not a single cent of SBBV's income is spent on salaries,' he added.
ALSO READ: DEMS celebrates firefighters for their strive to save lives
Botha said SBBV has applied for official recognition, which was denied.
'It is time Tshwane emergency services recognises that organisations such as the SBBV are their allies.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
17 hours ago
- The Citizen
Possible power outage on Sunday with Pyramid substation upgrade
Possible power outage on Sunday with Pyramid substation upgrade The Tshwane Energy and Electricity Business Unit has announced that the 132kV Pyramid Substation will undergo an upgrade this Sunday. The work was originally planned for August 10, but has been postponed to this week. The maintenance project involves the connection of 132kV post insulators and newly installed busbars within the Pyramid Substation yard. According to the metro, the Pyramid, Pumulani, Waltloo, and Koedoespoort substations are interconnected, meaning a complete shutdown of the power supply is necessary to ensure safety during the work. The power supply will be interrupted for 10 hours, from 08:00 until 18:00 on the day of the upgrade. Areas to be affected include: – HB Powerline, DP Powerline, PP Powerline (Petro Port Garage), Pumulani Toll Gate, Doornpoort Toll Gate, Montana Park, Montana Tuine, Montana Estates, Zambezi Country Estates. – Doornpoort Extensions, Sinoville Extensions, Kolonnade Mall and Retail Park, GR Powerline, VAe Powerline, VAw Powerline, HK Powerline, EB Powerline, P 94A & B Powerline, Waterworks Treatment Plant. – Rooiwal Town, Pyramid Area, Vastfontein Area, Grootfontein Area, Pyramid Clinic, SAR sub (Railways). – N4 Gateway, Waltloo Industrial, Ford and Samcor, Eersterust, Balley Village, Nellmapius Ext 1, 2 and 4, Donkerhoek. -Silverton Ext 5, Willow Park Manor, Samcor Industrial, Silverton, East Lynne, Waverley, Silvertondale, Lindopark, Waterval Area. Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo emphasised the importance of the work for the metro's electricity network. 'This essential maintenance is part of our continuous efforts to maintain and modernise our infrastructure. By upgrading the 132kV Pyramid Substation, we aim to enhance network reliability and reduce the risk of unplanned outages in future. 'While we understand the inconvenience caused by a full-day outage, this work is crucial for long-term service stability,' said Mashigo. He also urged residents to take safety precautions. 'We advise all customers to treat every electrical network point as live, even during the outage, to avoid potential danger. Safety remains our top priority,' he added. The municipality expressed appreciation to the public for their patience and co-operation. 'We regret any inconvenience this will cause and thank residents and businesses for their understanding. 'These upgrades are vital to ensuring a safer, more reliable electricity supply for all affected areas,' he concluded. ALSO READ: Airguns: Police, experts weigh in on firearm substitutes Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok.
The Citizen
3 days ago
- The Citizen
Cost of new number plates faces scrutiny
The rollout of a new high-tech, tamper-proof number plate system has sparked widespread concern over cost, necessity, and transparency, most notably from civil rights organisation AfriForum. Gauteng Provincial Government has begun rolling out the new number plate system within the province's fleet of cars since June 5 in a bid to combat crime, vehicle fraud, and enhance law enforcement. This pilot is expected to last for six months before a broader rollout to the public. As the pilot phase continues, AfriForum is awaiting a response to its internal appeal and weighing its next steps, which may include lodging a formal complaint with the Information Regulator or pursuing legal action to compel the release of requested data like the cost of the plates. The initiative, spearheaded by Premier Panyaza Lesufi and unveiled in June, includes plans to extend it to all private and commercial vehicles in the province by early 2026. The plates are designed with advanced security features, including QR codes, anti-tamper decals, and a digitised backend to allow for instant verification of vehicle ownership and status. No costs to vehicle owners were announced by the premier at the launch. The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport touts the system as a modern, digitised approach to tackle vehicle-related crime and streamline enforcement. AfriForum, which represents over 185 000 members in Gauteng, has lodged an internal appeal after the department failed to respond to its Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) request on data about the project within the mandated 30 days. The organisation is demanding answers on key aspects of the new number plate project, including estimated cost per unit, the timeline for mandatory replacement, and the research behind claims that the system will improve road safety or reduce crime. According to Louis Boshoff, spokesperson and campaign officer at AfriForum, the organisation's concerns are rooted in broader issues of governance. 'Gauteng residents are already under pressure due to poor service delivery, ranging from persistent power cuts to unreliable water supply. Launching a costly new number plate system at this time appears to be a misplaced priority,' Boshoff stated. AfriForum's PAIA request focuses on three core areas: how much the new plates will cost motorists, when the public will be required to replace existing plates, and the research backing the claims of improved security. The department acknowledged receipt of the request, and after a follow-up, indicated that the information was being processed. However, when no further communication was received, AfriForum proceeded with an internal appeal. One of the organisation's main criticisms is the lack of clarity around pricing. At present in Pretoria, the cost of registration plates varies. A standard set of number plates (front and rear) can cost around R220 to R500 for metal plates with R100 for backing plates if needed. Additional fees may apply for things like attachment frames, service fees for processing the registration, or if you choose personalised plates. 'The only available comparison is the current price of a standard number plate. If the new system involves improved security features, higher production costs are almost inevitable,' said Boshoff. 'Additionally, replacing a number plate may also require a new licence disk, adding to the financial burden on motorists.' Boshoff questioned the project's relevance in addressing Gauteng's urgent challenges. 'Even if the new number plates function exactly as intended, this does not address the core issue, which is weak law enforcement. Without consistent enforcement, the efficacy of advanced number plates is negligible.' AfriForum is also sceptical about the research that supposedly informed the project. According to Boshoff, the organisation has reviewed numerous studies related to road safety and crime prevention in South Africa but has found no compelling evidence linking enhanced number plate security with measurable improvements in these areas. 'If such research does exist, we are baffled as to why the department has failed to share it with the public,' he said. The initiative comes with significant logistical implications. Gauteng is home to over 3.5 million registered vehicles, meaning about 7 million new plates, front and rear, would need to be produced and distributed. For AfriForum, the absence of a transparent budget or feasibility study raises red flags. Boshoff warns that the initiative could follow the same trajectory as the widely criticised e-toll system: 'If this is pushed through without public buy-in or transparency, we could see another stalled project due to mass non-compliance.' While the department maintains that the pilot phase will evaluate the system's cost implications and functionality, concerns persist that vehicle owners will ultimately shoulder the cost of the transition. If prices become too high, organisations like the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) have warned that fleet operators may choose to license their vehicles in other provinces, potentially leading to revenue losses for Gauteng. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok.
The Citizen
4 days ago
- The Citizen
Tshwane mayor faces jail threat over fresh produce market neglect
After years of neglect, the Tshwane Fresh Produce Market must be fixed within a month, or the city's top officials could end up behind bars. The High Court in Pretoria has handed down a ruling to force the City of Tshwane's mayor and manager to implement upgrades to the Tshwane Fresh Produce Market, as agreed upon in 2022, or face jail time. On Monday, the high court gave the city 30 days to comply with the ruling or mayor Nasiphi Moya and manager Johann Mettler could receive a one-month prison sentence, suspended for a year. This is after the city was found guilty of contempt of court for failing to fix the Tshwane Fresh Produce Market, despite having an R18 million budget. The court case Institute of Market Agents of South Africa chair Gjalt Hooghiemstra welcomed the ruling as the applicant for the declaratory order in January 2022, stating that the first respondent is responsible for providing and facilitating municipal services in terms of Section 1 of the Local Government, Municipal Systems Act, 32 of 2000. In October 2022, Judge AJ Meersingh ordered the city to submit a precinct draft plan within 60 days and a final plan within 180 days of the order. This included the implementation of the contents of the approved precinct plan in respect of fire and smoke detection compliance, electrical connectivity and facility compliance, security and checkpoint management, lift and hoist facility compliance, repairs to all sanitation facilities and refuse removal facility compliance. ALSO READ: Marabastad Market wins reprieve as stakeholders seek amicable solution It had to be done within 60 days of the date from the city's allocated budget of R18 million for that year. Legal consequences for non-compliance Legal expert Dr Llewelyn Curlewis said the mayor could actually go to jail. 'As the leader of the city, she is, at the end of the day, the responsible party. 'Just as a company's directors, in terms of Article 334 of the Criminal Procedure Code, are responsible for the actions and omissions of the company, so the mayor and the city clerk are responsible for the actions and omissions of the city council. 'But the court is not going to arrest the mayor tomorrow and throw her in jail if it has not yet given the mayor a reasonable time to ensure that the court order is implemented,' he added. Curlewis said the current mayor could go to jail even if the verdict was made when another mayor was in power. City's response to the judgment Curlewis recommended that the mayor work on the court order immediately. City spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the city was analysing the court judgment in detail to fully understand its implications. ALSO READ: A 'mockery' or 'flimsy attack'? ANC and DA scrap over Tshwane city manager's appointment 'This involves consulting with legal experts, assessing the potential impact on municipal operations and services and determining a course of action. 'The city remains committed to acting in compliance with the law and will communicate any further steps or decisions once the review is complete,' he said. Political background and governance issues The former Tshwane mayor, DA Tshwane caucus leader Cilliers Brink, who was mayor when the events unfolded, said the governance support officer was forced to resign by the ANC coalition in January and the Tshwane Economic Development Agency (Teda) mandate over the market, and much else besides, was terminated. 'Ashraf Adam was assigned to negotiate with the market agents during 2024, which he did. Those negotiations were going well. 'The Teda was also mandated to play a supervisory role at the market, since it was clear the management there was delinquent,' he said. Brink said it was clear that the situation had been neglected by the city's political leadership. 'It is also clear that the MMC for economic development, Sarah Mabotsa, has not been of any assistance to the mayor in managing this situation,' he said. Southern Africa Agricultural Initiative CEO Francois Rossouw welcomed the judgment against the city and said it should be seen as a clear warning to other municipalities managing fresh produce markets to take the management, maintenance and expansion of these markets seriously. NOW READ: Tshwane mayor vows to clean up the capital city
