Tubatse Fire Station found understaffed and inoperational

Volunteer firefighters of Tubatse Fire Station in Burgersfort haven’t been paid their stipends since June. It is the only fire station in Tubatse and remains understaffed. The last time the volunteers reported for duty was on August 25.

“It’s been two months without pay. Every time we enquire about our salaries we are promised that a payment will be made,” said one station worker, who was unauthorised to speak to the media.

During recent oversights by the Limpopo DA, details concerning a lack of preparedness and sheer negligence emerged at the station.

It operates without a station manager. The person responsible for managing it is an official stationed at Groblersdal, 150km away.

“On the day of our oversight to the station, there were no firefighters on duty and the network booster burnt to ashes without any attempt to salvage it.
“We were reliably informed that the firefighters rarely report for duty as most are either employed on the EPWP programme or have been volunteering for more than six years. Both fire engines were dysfunctional, one broken and the other one’s wheels were stolen during the last six months,” said the DA’s Isaac Makofane.

This publication contacted the Sekhukhune District Municipality (SDM) about the non- payments and the conditions at the station.

The municipality’s spokesperson, Maredi Kgetjepe, had not yet responded to queries forwarded to him.

Makofane said they would write to the Limpopo MEC for the Department of Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Basikopo Makamu, to intervene and to provide tangible remedial action with timelines.

“Efficient firefighting services are the difference between life and death for many, especially those living in informal settlements or deep rural areas. The challenges faced by fire stations in Sekhukhune are not isolated. It is clear there is no urgency or compulsion by SDM’s officials to remedy their failures,” he said.