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Tshwane Emergency Services Facing Collapse

The City of Tshwane’s (CoT) emergency services have fallen in to disarray as a result of poor planning, as well as staff and equipment shortages.

A high vacancy rate within the Emergency Services Department (EMS) has created a situation where an unacceptably high number of emergency calls go unanswered.

Coupled with this, the CoT does not split medical emergencies and other emergency situations placing a massive constraint on resources.

This is particularly true of the fire stations in the city, where it is normal for different regions to borrow fire trucks as there are too few to service the city in its entirety.

At some stations, fire fighters even lack protective uniforms to carry out their duties.

All this has been brought about by the short-sighted planning of the current administration.

It is unacceptable that qualified and professional emergency service members, who risk their lives on a daily basis, are treated in such so poorly by the CoT.

Equally, it is alarming that the CoT is willing to mete out such low standards of service to residents.

The City must invest more of it expenditure on adequate emergency service to ensure a higher quality standard of living.

 

Media enquiries:
Janho Engelbrecht MPL
DA Gauteng Spokesperson on Environmental Affairs

060 556 4343

[Image sources]

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Merafong Water Crisis Now Affecting Emergency Services

Dysfunctional Municipal Services

Dysfunctional municipal services in Merafong have led to the complete destruction of a family home in Carletonville as emergency service workers could not carry out their relief work when the home caught alight.

Upon arrival emergency services could not locate the nearest hydrant as there were no markings on the street lights – which were out of order.

When one was located, the water pressure was too low for fire fighters to douse the flames.

As a result, the home was completely gutted and the family lost all their possessions.

Deteriorating Infrastructure

This incident has highlighted the precarious situation in which Merafong finds itself. Should there be a large scale fire, the municipality will simply not have the means to protect the lives of residents.

More than 52% of water in Merafong is lost every month due to ageing and deteriorating infrastructure, despite the local municipality insisting that it has a water loss management plan.

The DA has, on numerous occasions called on Gauteng Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) MEC, Jacob Mamabolo, for a provincial intervention in terms of Section 139(1)(b) of the Constitution.

Time and time again our requests have been ignored while residents of Merafong are left in desperate need of assistance.

The DA has assisted the family by providing blankets, food and water, however, if the situation in Merafong is not addressed urgently, this could become the norm.

(Pictures available on request)

 

Media Enquiries:

Ina Cilliers MPL
DA Gauteng Constituency Head – Merafong
060 556 4344