Comments on social media have sparked a flurry of concerns when it was revealed that the fire truck had been repossessed. It was alleged that Umtshezi Municipality did not meet with the monthly payments for the fire truck and the vehicle was taken away.

Locals voiced their concerns about the unavailability of a fire truck, especially with the dry season upon us. A runaway veldt fire or house on fire could possibly spell disaster and loss of life.

A resident who spoke to the Estcourt News on condition of anonymity expressed concern about the number of runaway fires in and around Estcourt during the ‘fire season’.

“Would the fire department be able to contain a raging fire using only the vans that they have? What about the volumes of water they will need? If someone loses their property or even more unfortunate, their life, who will take responsibility?” asked the resident.
He added that house fires and illegal fire breaks burning were also prevalent in Estcourt and with limited resources; this could pose a fatal threat.

“I can’t understand how our municipality could allow something like this, it is shocking,” expressed the resident.

The Estcourt News spoke to Acting Municipal Manager Elphas Dladla on Tuesday who confirmed that the truck had been ‘taken away’ by Fleet Africa, with whom the municipality has a lease agreement. However, Mr Dladla said that this was not due to payments not been made.

“My office was questioning the entire arrangement with Fleet Africa because for this truck alone the municipality is paying a massive amount. When we got to peruse the contract, which ends in April next year, I was thinking that the truck would be taken over by Umtshezi as an asset when the contract ends. To our surprise, we found that this truck will be taken away from Umtshezi from April next year and this includes all accessories, like the Jaws of Life,” explained Mr Dladla.

He added that a negotiation ensued with Fleet Africa to enable the municipality to take over the fire truck when the contract expires.
“We were questioning the contract and Fleet Africa took the fire truck away on the basis that they felt we were in breach of the contract, which was signed prior to our time,” he added.

Negotiations with the company have resulted in an assurance that the fire truck will be returned to Estcourt. “Surely by Friday the truck should be around but still we believe that council has been ripped off with regards to the contract that is why we had issues with Fleet Africa. We are up-to-date with invoices to Fleet Africa and invite your office to visit the Accountant Expenditure to check these payments,” added Mr Dladla.

In the interim residents are advised to be cautious when lighting open fires.