Tshwane Standoff: City Blocks Volunteer Firefighters Amid Tyre and Thatched Roof Blazes

Pretoria residents watched in disbelief as tyre and thatched roof fires burned for days in Tshwane, even as private volunteer firefighters were barred from helping. The city’s insistence on handling the blazes with municipal resources alone has sparked public frustration and raised questions about emergency response priorities.

Tyre Fires Rage While Volunteers Stand By

The first fire broke out over the weekend at a tyre factory in Pretoria North, quickly spreading into Pretoria West. While private firefighters had water-equipped engines ready to assist, Tshwane’s emergency services refused their help. Acting spokesperson Lindsay Zwelithini Mnguni stated that 57 firefighters, multiple water tankers, foam tenders, rapid intervention units, and command vehicles were deployed.

“Through coordinated action, the flames have been contained, limiting the extent of the damage and safeguarding nearby communities,” Mnguni said, noting that regulatory frameworks prevent volunteers from intervening directly.

Volunteer Firefighters Push Back

Sinoville Brandbestrydingsvereniging (SBBV) spokesperson Zenobia Loock described the frustrations on the ground. A thatched roof fire that reignited on Sunday required urgent intervention, but SBBV and private teams were turned away. “The most critical factor is wetting the thatch and opening the grass layers to prevent reignition,” Loock said.

Residents reported delays of up to an hour before municipal teams responded, highlighting how experience and local knowledge can make a life-saving difference in fast-moving fires.

Legal Victory for Private Firefighters

The tensions between private volunteer firefighters and the Tshwane metro have played out in court. Judge Dennis Davis ruled in favour of SBBV, ordering Tshwane to pay legal costs and affirming the right of private fire services to operate where municipal teams cannot adequately respond.

JP Botha, SBBV project coordinator, hailed the ruling as a landmark victory that strengthens civil and private firefighting capabilities. “This case enables other private fire services to fulfill that role without interference,” he said.

Green Scorpions and Environmental Oversight

Beyond firefighting, the city deployed the Green Scorpions to address environmental concerns, including collecting evidence for compliance reporting and rehabilitation plans. Despite the containment efforts, the fires underscored systemic challenges in Tshwane’s emergency services and the potential value of public-private collaboration.

Public Reaction and Social Media Outcry

Social media users expressed outrage over the delays and refusals of volunteer help, calling for a review of Tshwane’s rigid protocols. Many argue that allowing experienced volunteers to assist could prevent property loss and protect lives, especially in densely populated suburbs where response times are critical.

As Pretoria continues to battle tyre fires and thatched roof blazes, the debate over volunteer involvement exposes deeper questions about efficiency, accountability, and the city’s commitment to safeguarding its communities.

{Source: The Citizen}

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