Tshwane allocates R5. 3 billion to enhance public safety in the upcoming financial year
ActionSA President Herman Mashaba recently visited a Soshanguve fire station, where he briefed workers on Tshwane's plans to upgrade the facility.
Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers
The City of Tshwane's R5.3 billion budget allocation to the Community Safety Department for the next financial year, starting July 1, will enhance public safety.
The budget allocation includes R3 million for upgrading three key satellite fire stations in Ga-Rankuwa, Cullinan, and Soshanguve.
ActionSA President Herman Mashaba recently visited a fire station in Soshanguve, where he discovered that two out of three fire trucks have been out of commission for years, posing a risk to the local community.
The station also faces other challenges, including non-functional ablution facilities, broken gym equipment, laundry machines that have been awaiting repair since last year, and a male shower without hot water.
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Section 79 chairperson for community safety, Neo Mocumi, said a significant portion of the budget, R565m, will go toward protecting municipal assets, and the Emergency Services Department has been allocated R1.7 billion.
She said the budget allocations to both entities highlighted the city's commitment to securing its critical infrastructure and the crucial role emergency responders play in protecting residents.
Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya has constantly said the 2025/2026 budget aims to protect municipal assets, especially electricity infrastructure, which was left vulnerable to vandalism and sabotage by previous administrations.
The budget, she said, is a concerted effort to reduce power outages and water disruptions that have affected communities due to years of neglect.
Additionally, the city plans to recruit over 200 metro police officers through the budget allocation to strengthen its crime-fighting efforts.
Mocumi stated that 21 emergency facilities are earmarked for renovation as part of the city's medium-term strategy.
Three satellite fire stations have been prioritised for upgrades, with each station receiving R1m for the work.
Mocumi said: 'This budget marks a significant commitment to strengthening emergency response capabilities, reinforcing public safety, and ensuring that critical services remain fully operational and responsive to community needs. With these investments, the city is not just funding services, it is safeguarding lives.'
Tshwane's MMC for Community Safety, Hannes Coetzee, and TMPD Chief of Police, Commissioner Yolande Faro, recently launched a new fleet of high-performance motorcycles to bolster crime-fighting efforts in the city.
rapula.moatshe@inl.co.za
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