Latest news with #LindsayMnguni
The Citizen
7 days ago
- The Citizen
Tshwane cracks down on car washes using fire hydrants illegally
Illegal use of municipal fire hydrants in Tshwane is raising serious concern among residents and city officials. Officials have warned that the practice is unlawful and poses a major threat to public safety and firefighting operations. Tshwane Emergency Services spokesperson, Lindsay Mnguni, said the unauthorised use of hydrants often causes physical damage that makes the hydrants unusable during emergencies. 'Illegal use of the hydrant results in unaccounted water losses. Those hydrants also become inoperable as they are damaged,' he said. He added that when hydrants are tampered with, firefighters may waste critical time searching for the next available water source, which can severely impact their ability to save lives and property. Mnguni confirmed that such cases have been reported across the city, including incidents where car washes at taxi ranks were found drawing water directly from hydrants. 'It is difficult to track the users, as they should be caught while in use. Such fire hydrants are immediately locked to prevent unnecessary future usage. 'Unused hydrants are locked with special devices accessible only to fire brigade personnel,' he said. He noted that these efforts are supported by ongoing inspections from fire hydrant officers around the city. 'Word-of-mouth also assists with reporting faulty fire hydrants, and, where necessary, legal steps are taken in relation to the Fire Brigade Services by-laws. 'This is a concerted effort requiring both the community and the city to hold hands together in ensuring that we keep our hydrant in good working order,' Mnguni said. He emphasised that there is no provision for the legal use of hydrants by private individuals or businesses. Mnguni pointed to the city's Fire Brigade Services by-laws, which state that 'except for purposes of inspection, service, repair, or firefighting, no person may remove or interfere with any firefighting equipment or service installation at any premises'. He explained that violations of these by-laws can result in a fine of R3 000 or more serious consequences if such actions endanger life or property. 'Fire hydrants are critical infrastructure designed to provide bulk water for firefighting purposes, not for unauthorised commercial use. 'The city is currently engaging with the Lyttelton Ratepayers Association to find operable ways to deal with such challenges, and also to educate the community about the proper usage of fire hydrants,' he added. In Lyttelton, illegal car washes have become a persistent and growing issue. PR councillor Wesley Jacobs said tampering and theft of water from hydrants began after the establishment of the informal settlement known as Sports Park. Jacobs explained the settlement receives water tanker deliveries only once a week, and that this has led to widespread theft from municipal hydrants. 'It became highly noticeable when these establishments started operating from 08:00 to 17:00, and that's when I asked for assistance from the TMPD,' he said. He identified hotspots for these operations near Lyttelton Shopping Centre, particularly along Cantonments Avenue and Government Road. 'This behaviour influenced others to also establish illegal car washes on Fountains Avenue, under a tree. 'However, this was cut short as I arranged for a tractor-loader-backhoe (TLB) to have them demolished and removed with the help and assistance of TMPD,' he said. Jacobs said these operations violate several by-laws, including the Fire Brigade Services By-law for tampering with hydrants, the Street and Public Place by-laws for obstructing public spaces without permission, and the Trading by-laws for operating without the necessary permits. During joint enforcement operations with the TMPD, Jacobs said officers have confiscated buckets, soap, municipal bins used for water storage, and tools used to open hydrants. 'Many of the people operating these car washes are young men between 18 and 30, living in either the informal settlement or the hijacked city hall building,' he said. Jacobs said fining these individuals is often ineffective, as they lack the means to pay, and the process further strains the city's limited resources. 'Giving them a fine for washing of cars would serve no purpose. It just further wastes city resources, so attention was focused on the root causes,' he said. He added that enforcement remains difficult due to the lack of dedicated TMPD resources. 'When going on raids with TMPD, we often wait hours for waste trucks and TLBs to assist with the upkeep of waste by-laws and removal of illegal dumping. 'If TMPD had their own dedicated waste truck, they could be more effective and self-sufficient,' he said. Another challenge is the absence of secure storage facilities for confiscated materials, which limits TMPD's ability to enforce by-laws fully. Despite these obstacles, Jacobs said he has ensured that all hydrants known to be used illegally have been locked. 'At the moment, there are two hydrants that could not be locked due to the locks not being compatible with the hydrant heads, so I am having them changed, and they will soon be locked, stopping the theft of water and hopefully stopping the illegal car wash in its entirety,' he said. Jacobs also expressed concern about the broader impact of these illegal operations. 'These unlawful acts include accessing municipal water for free while making a profit through illegal establishments, whereas residents are expected to pay for water. 'This fosters a sense of lawlessness in a quiet suburban area and undermines the area's orderly and well-maintained aesthetics,' he said. He also noted that the car washes often operate on municipal sidewalks and in areas not zoned for such use. 'They should be classified as criminals, as they are utilising state property to make a living, which is a crime,' Jacobs said. He encouraged residents to report illegal activity to the TMPD at 012 664 4445 or 012 358 7095, or to Emergency Services at 107. He also dismissed suggestions to formalise these operations. 'Legitimate establishments should follow the city's procedures through city property, with the respective business licenses in accordance with the city's rules and regulations. 'If you simply do not pay rates or taxes, whether in your personal capacity or business capacity, you are not a contributing member to this economy, and it is not fair to law-abiding residents,' he added. Ward 57 councillor David Farquharson said he is also aware of the ongoing water theft and illegal car washes taking place in the area. He said he has had multiple discussions with TMPD, Emergency Services, and the regional offices to address the problem. 'There is an improvement in policing for a few days and then bad habits resume.' Farquharson believes a practical solution lies in the installation of locking caps on all hydrants, but said the city's slow procurement processes are hampering progress. 'The metro's purchasing processes are slow, and getting the hydrant locks is slower,' he said. He added that the better long-term solution is improved policing. 'Water theft is a city-wide problem. The hijacking of the Mabopane reservoir and other reservoirs is a sign of how far law enforcement is falling short.' Lyttelton resident Sarah Fourie said the illegal car washes have become a visible and ongoing problem in the area. 'It is honestly unacceptable. Just a few weeks ago, I drove past the corner near the shopping centre, and there was a group of men washing cars using buckets and sponges, with water pouring down the street. She added that the activity damages the image of the suburb. 'We pay for our water and take pride in our neighbourhood, yet here are people abusing public resources, creating messes, and operating freely with no consequences. 'It creates a sense that law and order do not apply here anymore,' she said. The Tshwane Metro Police Department is yet to respond to Rekord's enquiry regarding the matter. 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.
IOL News
20-07-2025
- General
- IOL News
AfriForum criticises City of Tshwane for neglecting fire safety at municipal sites
The City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department raises concerns over fire hazards in Tshwane cemeteries as dry season approaches, urging landowners to adhere to legal guidelines for managing and preventing veld fires. Image: Supplied Civil rights organisation AfriForum has accused the City of Tshwane of failing to maintain municipal sites, including cemeteries, which pose significant fire hazards as the fire season approaches in August. This criticism follows last week's warning by the city to landowners and fire protection associations to comply with key fire prevention regulations in order to prevent, predict, manage, and extinguish veld fires. The City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department urged landowners to adhere to the National Veld and Forest Fire Act, enacted in 1998, to provide guidelines for managing and preventing veld fires. Additionally, property owners were informed about the City of Tshwane Fire Brigade Service bylaw, published in 2016, outlining specific rules for fire safety in Tshwane. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Tshwane Emergency Services Department, Lindsay Mnguni said: 'It is common cause that lives are often lost as a result of veld, forest and mountain fires, with rural people suffering enormous damage to their livestock and homesteads during the fire season.' He explained that the fire season is rampant during the dry winter months in Gauteng. "Large-scale losses to the forestry industry are also incurred regularly. However, dangerous and destructive fire incidents remain an existential threat throughout the year," he said. However, AfriForum has slammed the city for applying double safety standards, pressuring private landowners and fire protection associations to comply with fire safety regulations while failing to adhere to the same standards itself. Tarien Cooks, AfriForum's disaster management specialist, said the civil rights organisation fully supports the metro's call to observe relevant fire prevention legislation and regulations. However, she said, the metro must also adhere to legal requirements as well, in order to ensure the safety of people, animals and infrastructure from fire risks. She mentioned that the law outlines that property owners or occupiers must ensure their premises don't pose a fire hazard to neighbouring properties due to overgrown vegetation, such as grass, weeds, reeds, shrubs, or trees. However, she pointed out that the city consistently fails to comply with the same bylaw, despite it applying to the metro as well. AfriForum expressed concern about various cemeteries and other municipal sites, such as open fields and veld strips adjacent to roads in the metro, citing them as serious fire hazards due to poor maintenance. Cooks said: 'Overgrown sidewalks and other overgrown open municipal areas are visible throughout the metro. These strips and areas pose a serious fire hazard, yet the metro is failing to meet this critical responsibility. It is especially essential now, in the dry months and during the upcoming windy August and September period, to maintain these sites according to the prescribed requirements. The metro has a responsibility to practice what they preach and not only hold private landowners accountable for complying with the relevant legislation and bylaws.'
IOL News
13-07-2025
- General
- IOL News
Investigation under way after deadly fire in Olievenhoutbosch Extension 25
The Olievenhoutbosch community is in mourning following the tragic deaths of five family members in a devastating shack fire. Image: Supplied/ City of Tshwane A devastating shack fire in Olievenhoutbosch Extension 25 has claimed the lives of five family members, leaving the community in shock and grief. The cause of the blaze is still under investigation. Tshwane Emergency Services spokesperson Lindsay Mnguni, said the fire was reported at around 5am on Friday morning, and firefighting resources were immediately dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, firefighters found that the four-room shack had been destroyed, and the five family members, including a senior citizen, one adult, and three minors, had fatally burned. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The City of Tshwane has offered support to the affected family, with Mayor Nasiphi Moya expressing condolences. "This family was devastated by a fire that engulfed their four-room shack, killing five family members. The loss of two children, two adults, and one elder can only be described as a tragedy," Moya said. Local ward councillor Kenneth Masha said the community is devastated by the loss of five family members and believes the tragic deaths should serve as a wake-up call for the government to address the housing issues in his ward. "Such incidents seem to become a norm in this area because of the housing problem in the area," he said, recalling a similar fire incident in the same street about a year and a half ago that claimed the lives of three family members. Residents claim that emergency services only arrived after the fire was already under control, with community members using buckets to extinguish the blaze. The cause of the fire remains unknown, with speculation surrounding the presence of electricity in the shack. Mnguni said various roleplayers were on the scene, working together to manage the incident. He urged communities to remain vigilant and be cautious during winter to prevent and eliminate incidents of this nature. To report any fire or rescue incident, members of the public can call 107 toll-free or 012 358 6300/6400. SAPS Tshwane district spokesperson Warrant Officer Marinda Austin has not yet confirmed whether the police are investigating a case of arson or opening an inquest docket.
The Citizen
18-06-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Massive depot fire in Mabopane destroys 23 parked buses
A total of 23 buses have been destroyed in a fire that broke out at a private bus company depot in Mabopane, to the north of Pretoria, yesterday afternoon, Tshwane Emergency Services has confirmed. According to Pretoria Rekord, spokesperson Lindsay Mnguni said firefighters responded swiftly to the scene and managed to save 14 buses from being engulfed by the blaze. No injuries were reported, and the exact cause of the fire is still under investigation. 'When our teams arrived, they found several buses already ravaged by the fire,' said Mnguni, adding that the buses were parked in an open area at the depot. Mnguni said the destroyed buses were not in operation and had not been commissioned, meaning public transport services for commuters in the area will not be affected. He added that the buses do not belong to the City of Tshwane. Firefighters managed to extinguish the fire and remained on the scene to continue damping down operations to cool the area and eliminate any chance of reignition. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
18-06-2025
- General
- IOL News
Devastating fire ravages Star Line Bus Company depot, leaving 23 buses burnt
Thick black smoke billows from the yard of the Star Line Bus company in Mabopane, north of Pretoria. A blaze left more than 20 of the company's buses gutted. Image: Facebook: Mbonani News Hub A fire broke out at the Star Line Bus Company depot in Mabopane, north of Pretoria, on Tuesday afternoon, resulting in the destruction of over 20 buses. The blaze, which was initially reported as a grassfire just after midday, escalated swiftly into a major incident as firefighters arrived to find several buses ablaze in the open yard. Lindsay Mnguni, spokesperson for the City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department, confirmed that the proximity of the parked buses and windy conditions contributed to the rapid spread of the fire. Firefighters from nearby stations, including Mabopane, Rosslyn, and Wonderboom, mobilised immediately, deploying an arsenal of firefighting resources. Two foam tenders, two fire engines, an aerial ladder, and a district commander's unit were all brought to bear on the inferno. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 'The windy conditions exacerbated the fire spread, but the swift actions of the firefighters helped to successfully stop the fire from spreading and further damaging these 14 other buses,' Mnguni said. Firefighters managed to salvage 14 buses despite the overwhelming destruction. There were no reported injuries stemming from the incident. However, the losses to the bus company are considerable, with a total of 23 buses declared burnt, some of which are almost entirely destroyed. While the investigation into the cause of the fire remains ongoing, Mnguni urged the public to remain vigilant and to report any fire or rescue incidents promptly. 'When reporting an emergency, please remain calm, speak clearly, know where you are, and provide your correct contact number to the operator,' he added. The devastation at the Star Line Bus Company came as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of emergencies, reinforcing the need for awareness and preparedness in the community. DAILY NEWS
