Residents call for improved fire services
MOUTSE – The residents of Moutse are calling for the establishment of a fire station to service the area following numerous devastating incidents of fire that ravaged properties and claimed lives in the past.
According to the residents, the Sekhukhune District Municipality’s fire brigade, which is located in Groblersdal, about 30km away from Dennilton in Moutse, takes long to respond to fire incidents that break out in the area.
Seun Mogotji, Bolsheviks Party of South Africa (BPSA) leader, who is a resident of Moutse, said they have had fire incidents in Dennilton area where lives were lost and property destroyed.
Mogotji indicated that the incidents motivated them to write to the municipality, requesting a fire engine to be made available at the local traffic centre next to Moutse Mall but their plea fell on deaf ears.
“At Tambo Village, a child burnt to death because a fire truck arrived late and had no water to assist in putting out the fire. In the same area, a house burnt to the ground and a fire truck arrived late from wherever it came from. Seven Passengers in a Toyota Avanza burnt beyond recognition on the Loskop road, D1399 Road, and once again, fire trucks arrived late. On 16 January 2024, a thatch-roofed house was struck by a lightning in Ntwane, Lesehleng Village and the fire trucks had to come from Groblersdal, unfortunately the house burnt down,” reflected Mogotji.
Mogotji highlighted that those are a few incidents and that there might be more others to which the fire brigade responded late or never showed up at all.
“Fires are an emergency and it is unrealistic to expect this arrangement to work efficiently when the trucks have to come from Groblersdal or Marble Hall to put out fires in Elandsdooring, Tambo and Ntwane villages. Having one truck stationed at the traffic department will make things very simple for everyone concerned and lives will certainly be saved, which is the main objective. As we are moving towards budget adjustments, we expect improvements in this regard,” concluded Mogotji.
The paper sent a query to SDM over the matter and awaits a response. The response will be communicated as soon as it is received as it was not at the time of going to press.
