Deputy minister debunks claims that Tshwane firetrucks have been idle for two years

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment has dismissed claims that firefighting vehicles provided to the Tshwane metro have been sitting idle for over two years.

This comes after Deputy Minister, Bernice Swarts, visited the Centurion Fire Station in Lyttelton on February 17 to inspect the vehicles and address allegations in the media that firefighting vehicles were sitting idle in depots instead of being actively used for firefighting.

During her visit, Swarts confirmed that nine firefighting vehicles were parked at the station and were in good condition.

“The purpose of my visit to Tshwane Fire Station in Centurion was to verify the presence and condition of our firefighting vehicles.

“I can confirm that nine firefighting vehicles are parked here and that they have not been vandalised, contrary to some reports,” she said.

Swarts directly countered claims that the vehicles had been stripped of essential components, such as batteries, and reassured the public that the vehicles remain intact.

She also addressed allegations that the vehicles have been unused for over two years, clarifying that they were only delivered to Tshwane in November last year.

“These vehicles arrived at Tshwane Fire Station in November 2024. Any suggestion that they have been sitting idle for two years is incorrect,” she said.

The 9 fire-fighting trucks being stored by the department at Tshwane Municipality have been inspected by DM Swarts and found to be in good condition, contrary to reports of vandalism that were widely reported in the media. pic.twitter.com/Jv5fQ5JmgI

— Environmentza (@environmentza) February 17, 2025

The vehicles were reclaimed from a service provider as part of a decision by the department following a finding by the Auditor-General of South Africa, which stipulated that service providers are required to use their own resources to fulfil contractual obligations.

Swarts acknowledged the operational challenges that arose from the department’s decision to reclaim the vehicles, particularly for Fire Protection Associations (FPAs) responsible for combatting veld fires.

The vehicles were originally procured for use in the Working on Fire programme, and their removal created difficulties for certain stakeholders.

However, Swarts confirmed that efforts were underway to expedite the transfer of the vehicles to municipalities where they can be put to operational use.

“I recognise the challenges that FPAs have faced due to this transition.”

“However, I am committed to ensuring that the process to transfer these firefighting vehicles to the respective municipalities is expedited so that these vehicles can go back to work and assist FPAs to attend to veld fire incidents in our communities,” she said.

The transfer process, according to Swarts, requires municipalities to complete internal governance procedures, including securing council resolutions, before the vehicles can be formally handed over.

She urged patience while affirming her commitment to ensuring the vehicles are deployed as quickly as possible.

“Having said that, we must also afford municipalities the opportunity to follow their internal processes, which include coming up with council resolutions regarding the transfer of these firefighting vehicles.”

The department has reclaimed a total of 283 firefighting vehicles from the service provider, of which 107 are earmarked for transfer to municipalities across the country.

The remaining 176 vehicles are being used by the department’s internal forestry branch to manage fires in departmental plantations.

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