DA Political Head for Kempton Park, Michael Waters MPL, has raised concerns about the state of fire and emergency services in the area, warning that residents’ lives are at risk due to a severe shortage of firefighters and operational fire vehicles.

Waters said information provided by Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Jacob Mamabolo, in response to questions from the Democratic Alliance (DA), revealed serious challenges within the City’s firefighting services.

According to the information, Kempton Park’s two fire stations should have a total of 112 firefighters.

However, only 33 firefighters are currently on duty.

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Waters said the most concerning issue is that the Albertina Sisulu Corridor Fire Station has no firefighters at all.

“What is the point of having a fire station without any firefighters?” Waters asked.

He said the Kempton Park Fire Station should have 56 firefighters but currently has only 33, while the Albertina Sisulu Corridor Fire Station also requires 56 firefighters but has none.

Waters warned that this leaves residents in one of Ekurhuleni’s fastest-growing areas reliant on an emergency service that is severely understaffed.

He further noted that only 6 of the 11 fire vehicles allocated to the Kempton Park area are currently operational.

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“When a family calls for help because their home is on fire, when a serious vehicle collision occurs, or when a factory fire breaks out, they have every right to expect a fully staffed and properly equipped emergency service,” said Waters.

He added that the City of Ekurhuleni had also admitted it has not purchased personal protective equipment (PPE) for firefighters anywhere in the municipality over the past five years due to budget constraints.

The DA has called on the City of Ekurhuleni to explain why the Albertina Sisulu Corridor Fire Station has no firefighters, when vacant posts will be filled, why five fire vehicles remain out of service, when they will be repaired, and what steps are being taken to ensure proper emergency protection for residents.

“Firefighters cannot extinguish fires from vacant posts, and fire vehicles cannot save lives while standing in workshops,” Waters said.

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He said the people of Kempton Park deserve answers and a fully equipped firefighting service capable of protecting lives and property.

The Kempton Express sent an inquiry to the City of Ekurhuleni on June 19, requesting a response by June 22. At the time of going to print, no comment had been received.