Pietermaritzburg's firefighting capacity is under pressure, with several engines out of service as dry conditions heighten fears that the city could struggle to respond to major or multiple fires. The Msunduzi Fire and Emergency Services covers 44 wards with a skeleton staff and, according to firefighters, relied on only two fire engines last year. This shortage has raised concerns that the city may not be able to respond effectively in case of multiple fires.
Firefighters who spoke to The Witness on condition of anonymity warned that the situation could become disastrous if a house, a business or several properties caught fire at the same time. They said even the one engine in use at the Oribi Village fire station was unreliable. The city's four fire stations — in Pietermaritz Street, Oribi Village, Edendale and at the airport — are not adequately equipped for serious fires.
Firefighters described the city's fire department as a disaster waiting to happen and said reliance on the uMgungundlovu District Municipality was not a solution. They stated that if fires broke out in different parts of the city, fire services would have to be deployed from elsewhere, lengthening response times. This has been the case for some time now, with firefighters being sourced from the district when one fire breaks out.
The South African Municipal Workers Union in Msunduzi said the shortage of fire engines and firefighters' working conditions had been raised with the municipality twice last year, but city management had made no commitment. Local secretary Xolani Ntshangase said the concerns were raised in September and November during pickets over overtime pay and other work-related issues.
Msunduzi Municipality, however, said it recognised the importance of maintaining a reliable and adequately resourced fire and rescue service, particularly during this fire season. Municipal spokesperson Ntobeko Mkhize said the municipality continued to prioritise the repair and return to service of critical firefighting appliances, subject to the availability of parts, service providers and funding.
The municipality disputed that it had only one working fire engine, saying its resources included a major fire engine, a water carrier capable of high-pressure firefighting and two smaller vehicles fitted with pumps for minor incidents. Mkhize also pointed to a mutual-aid arrangement with the district municipality, through which additional resources could be mobilised when required.
On longer-term plans, Mkhize said a business plan had been submitted to acquire additional major firefighting appliances, bushfire vehicles and water tankers. The municipality said it was therefore attending to the fleet's immediate maintenance needs while continuing to address longer-term replacement and capacity requirements.
Key points
- Firefighters warn of disastrous consequences if multiple fires break out in Pietermaritzburg due to limited resources.
- The municipality has a mutual-aid arrangement with the district municipality to mobilise additional resources when required.
- A business plan has been submitted to acquire additional major firefighting appliances, bushfire vehicles and water tankers.
