Judgment reserved in private fire service case in Tshwane Metro
Judgment on the legality of private firefighting services in the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality was reserved in the Pretoria High Court today. AfriForum’s legal team is assisting the Sinoville Firefighting Association (SFA) in a legal battle that the Metro started in September last year to have private firefighting services operating in the Metro declared illegal.
The Tshwane Metro’s legal team maintains that private firefighting services are illegal, but AfriForum argues that no law prohibits the existence or operation of private firefighting services. Judge J. Davis stressed during today’s court hearing that the case is of the utmost importance, therefore judgment is reserved.
“It is irresponsible to have private firefighting services declared illegal, especially because these services provide much-needed assistance in times of crisis. Instead of fighting the legality of these services in a lengthy court case, the Tshwane Metro should rather welcome this additional capacity in the interest of residents,” says Tarien Cooks, Disaster Management Specialist at AfriForum.
JP Botha, founding member of SFA, says the association was formed precisely because the Tshwane Metro’s fire brigade could not reliably provide the service expected of them. “SFA has successfully dealt with numerous incidents and fills a critical gap in the northern parts of Pretoria. What makes SFA special is that it is made up entirely of volunteers – men and women who are trained as firefighters and who volunteer their time and expertise to protect their community.”
Earlier this year, Judge Davis granted a cost order in an interlocutory decision, which will be used to strengthen private and civil firefighting capabilities in the Metro.
“When the state fails to meet its basic responsibility, communities rise up to help themselves. Private and civil firefighting services save lives. This is not a threat to the Tshwane Metro, but a necessity,” Cooks adds.
AfriForum will continue to advocate for a fair, inclusive and effective approach to fire safety.
