DA raises fire conundrum fears in Waterberg

The DA has raised grave concerns with regards to the Disaster Management Unit of Modimolle and Mookgophong, which it was alleged was not ready to respond to the potential for a major fire outbreak.

The damning allegations were made in a press release by district council member Nadine Laubscher, the DA caucus leader in the Waterberg District Municipality.

Executive Mayor Mataboge’s spokesperson, Pat Malete, said the first citizen was aware of the DA’s concerns.

He said Mataboge would respond in due course.

Laubscher said only two of the six emergency fire prevention vehicles were operational.

The DA further expressed concern that the situation was worsened due to budget constraints, and staff shortages.

According to Laubscher, an urgent appeal was made to Mataboge on Tuesday 9 October, to address the issue of firefighting equipment.

“The repair of such vehicles should be a priority,” she said.

The vehicles which were allegedly in disrepair included the command unit vehicle, the off-roader, Toyota Hilux LDV and an Iveco RIV.

The operational requirements for both Modimolle and Mookgopong demand 25 firefighters, Laubscher pointed out.

Currently only 10 firefighters are employed.

To make matters even worse, she said, the protective clothing for firefighters was outdated, since issued in the year 2010.

A report that served before the district council raised serious concerns that emergency services were under-staffed.

The report shows that in comparison to emergency services in other districts, there is a gross deficit.

The Waterberg district, which encompasses Thabazimbi, Lephalale, Modimolle, Mookgophong, Mogalakwena and Bela-Bela, has 33 firefighters.

In comparison the Capricorn district which has 75 firefighters, Mopani at 82, Sekhukune at 80 and Vhembe district at 117 firefighters.

Another concern that was raised, is that the Modimolle Disaster Management centre is directly adjacent to a fuel depot.

This she said had the potential to risk management in case of a fire outbreak, Laubscher said.

She said one of the main hurdles in solving this dire situation was lack of funds.

According to the report, the Bela-Bela Fire Station was currently not operational.

No budget allocation was made in the 2017/2018 financial year for Lephalale, Bela Bela and Modimolle-Mookgophong municipalities due to a lack of funds.

A shortage of qualified firefighters and inadequate equipment at municipalities had the potential to trigger often costly lawsuits against the authorities.

The report also made reference to the fire at the Bela-Bela SuperSpar in September 2017.

The disaster management centre was allegedly not up to the task and qualified staff and equipment had to be brought in from Tshwane to assist in the firefighting.

Modimolle-Mookgophong Mayor Marlene van Staden said she found almost 20 brand new, unused fire hoses, several stretchers, two fire-fighters, a trailer and an old, unused firetruck in a storage
facility in Mookgophong.

“It seems as if the equipment has been there for a long time. I’ve reported it previously, but nothing has been done. A while ago the firefighters were in need of fire hoses, even though there were several lying unused in the building,” she said. The equipment was in a building rented by the district from the local municipality.

— The BEAT